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Tenant Choices: Evaluating Short-Term and Long-Term Rental Options

Property manager hands out keys to tenants after signing the lease
Renting a new home in Crestview is a challenging journey of important decisions. One of the crucial choices is between a short-term or a long-term rental. With each renter’s circumstances distinct and unique, there’s no common answer. It’s all about weighing the pros and cons of each lease type and selecting the one that best suits your needs, giving you the power to form and shape your living situation.

Pros and Cons of a Short-Term Rental

A short-term rental typically has a lease agreement of six months or less. One customary short-term rental is a month-to-month agreement, in which the contract renews monthly. But really, there is a broad range of short-term rentals, even several with terms that continue weekly. A short-term lease is ideal for renters who need a lot of flexibility. They normally allow you to stay only a short while or move out quickly, should your situation change. There is moreover a greater chance that a short-term rental will include internet service and utilities, however, such amenities vary from place to place.

But, there are some drawbacks to short-term leases. Since your lease renews so often, your landlord can raise the rent, change their policies or lease terms, and more often. Short-term rentals furthermore tend to become a tad more expensive than long-term rentals, particularly in spaces where short-term rentals are in high demand. If you live nearyby a popular vacation area or college town, you might experience more competition for short-term rentals than long-term rentals, which generally drives the rates up.

Pros and Cons of a Long-Term Rental

You can smoothly avoid the downsides of a short-term rental by preferring a long-term one. And there are countless values and advantages to doing so. The most common lease length for long-term rentals is one year, but really, in a lot of areas, leases can be for multiple years at a time. As a renter, long-term rentals can offer more stability in your monthly rates and lease terms. When you’ve signed a long-term lease, the terms of that lease generally don’t change. In most instances, the landlord won’t be able to raise your rent or have other changes to the agreement unless it’s time to renew. Long-term rentals are frequently more affordable than short-term rentals merely because it is more cost-effective for a landlord to lease their property for years at a time.

But having said that, long-term leases can have quite a few drawbacks. When you’ve signed a long-term lease, violating it can be difficult and pricey. The terms will change, however, it is common for landlords to necessitate an extra month’s rent plus forfeiture of their security deposit if you would like to end your lease early. That can make moving to a new rental home very toilsome. It can equally prevent you from lowering your housing costs, should you be required to do so. It’s also significant to bear in mind that many long-term rentals will not give extra services or occasionally even appliances. In most instances, you can anticipate to bear the cost of utilities, internet, and essential furnishings.

Equipped with a detailed perception and understadning of the pros and cons of both short-term and long-term rentals, it’s time to attentively consider your situation and the imminent or foreseeable future. If your plans surely include staying in one place for a while, a long-term rental might be the perfect match. Alternatively, short-term rentals are usually the better choice if you are not certain about your future location. Either way, being knowledgeable of your options can make your choice easier and you more enlightened and informed.

Real Property Management Homebase offers an assortment of rentals in Crestview and nearby. Contingent to your needs, we may have a superb fit for you. Call us today at 850-806-2263 or look into our rental listings for more information.

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