If you’re looking for a place to rent, you might want to consider renting a free-standing house as opposed to just renting an apartment. While the security deposit on a house is usually more than on an apartment, the additional advantages to living in a free-standing house are usually worth the extra money (plus you’ll still get your deposit back at the end of the lease if you take good care of the property). Here are just a few of the advantages you may get by renting a house versus an apartment.
More privacy, less noise
Let’s face it, when you share walls with other neighbors, you can hear them, and they can hear you! With a free-standing home, you won’t have to deal with noisy neighbors, and by the same token, you’ll be able to make noise or play music without worrying about bothering someone else.
More outdoor space
With an apartment, usually the most outdoor space you can expect is a small patio or balcony (if you even get that). Most free-standing homes, on the other hand, include some sort of yard. If you have kids, or if you enjoy spending time outdoors, renting a free-standing house is a definite plus over an apartment.
More ability to personalize your space
Most apartment communities limit the amount of decorating you can do (for example, you usually can’t paint or apply wallpaper to the walls). While this can also be the case with rent houses, many landlords do understand that their tenants need to make the space “their own.” You’ll often find a landlord to be more flexible about allowing you to paint or decorate in a free-standing home (although you may have to reset it to “neutral” when you leave).
The chance to become a home owner yourself
If you are renting an apartment, you’ll almost always remain a renter. However, if you rent a free-standing home, there’s always the chance that the owner will be willing to sell. If you really like the home you’re renting, you may have the opportunity to buy it from the landlord if he/she ever decides to put it on the market. You might even be able to set up an owner-financing or rent-to-own arrangement with the landlord.
