The constant moving from installation to installation that is such a frequent occurrence in the military can cause a good deal of stress, particularly when it comes to having to decide where to live when the next relocation comes around. Before you choose whether to rent or buy your next home, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of both.
One benefit of renting the next home you move to is that you have very little responsibility when it comes to maintaining the property. In many cases it is the landlord’s job to make repairs, maintain appliances and improve the home’s appearance ‒ not yours. A maintenance crew often takes care of the lawn, saving you money and giving you less to worry about.
On the other hand, one benefit of buying the home you make a move to is that there is no risk of coming across a bad landlord. The world is unfortunately full of property owners who never get around to doing necessary repairs and your quality of life can suffer as a result of their negligence. When you are the property owner, things get fixed when you want them to be.
Another benefit of renting is the military clause, which is a statement within the rental agreement that enables the lease to be broken should the military service member be reassigned or called up to active duty. These clauses are not uncommon in housing close to military installations; however, you should check the lease and request that the clause is inserted if it is not already there.
