Should you rent a duplex apartment? Compare the pros and cons.

In a follow-up to two of my most popular articles for prospective tenants, I've published "Pros and Cons of Renting a Duplex Apartment."

Like its predecessors, "Pros and Cons of Top Floor Apartments" and "Pros and Cons of First Floor Apartments," my duplex pro-and-con write-up offers you an insider's view on the advantages and disadvantages of living in one particular type of apartment.

Want a sneak preview of what I have to say about these two-residence rental homes? Here you go:

Pro: Big Brother is Across Town

Lots of apartment complexes house a property manager on site or at the very least there is a leasing office on the premises. Not so when you rent a duplex. Read the cons of this arrangement below, but first think about why this might be a good thing.

If you value your privacy and don't like the idea of management keeping tabs on your comings and goings, or those of your visitors, you'll be glad there is no arm of the landlord there to observe you on a daily basis. Maybe you keep late hours, or maybe your boyfriend/girlfriend frequently stays over. Whatever the case may be, it's none of your landlord's business.

Con: The Maintenance Man is Across Town, Too

Of course you might find yourself wishing there was a property manager, leasing office or maintenance staff on the premises when your air conditioning stops working, when ants take over your bathroom, when you lock yourself out of your apartment, or when you've forgotten to pay rent and it's currently 4:57 p.m. on the first of the month.

Privacy concerns aside, it really can be more convenient to live where you have easier access to your property manager. ...

Want to read more? Go here!


*

Happy holidays + a new rental blog for you to check out

No posts at all this month so far! Sorry, readers.

I do have two rent-related articles written and awaiting publication, but it seems the holiday is slowing things down. Once they are published, I'll link to them from here. One details the pros and cons of living in duplex apartments and the other is a how-to guide for landlords. Stay tuned!

Speaking of duplex apartments, I stumbled upon another blog you might find interesting. Check out http://www.iboughtaduplex.com/. I love to be a fly on the wall -- or in this case, the reader of a blog -- as landlords and property managers discuss the ins and outs of rentals from their perspective.

Meanwhile, happy holidays to the readers of the Easy Rent Editor blog! See you in 2011!


*