Renting After Divorce: What to Know
Any big life event will almost always bring with it some kind of “wrench in the chain” that is your daily life. Top among these events is divorce. Not only is your family going through a very difficult time, but there are many many decisions that need to be made. If you do not plan to stay in the family home and are looking for other options, one of the best decisions you can make is renting a home. By doing so you will give yourself a little time to heal and prepare for your next steps in life while maintaining freedom, flexibility, and most importantly a roof over your head. Follow along as we discuss renting after your divorce and how to make sure you’re making the best decisions possible.
Battling Impulsivity
One of the best ways to get yourself about of the inevitable funk of divorce is to hit the ground running and never look back, right? Well as this can be good for moving forward in life, it doesn’t always yield the best results when making financial decisions. Remember that even though a place looks perfect, and maybe you don’t feel up to looking for houses right now, there is a lot to take in to consideration. A lot! So always remember to step back, take a deep breath and remember you’ve got this. The perfect place will find you. Trust me.
How Much Can You Afford?
You have to be extremely realistic with yourself about how much you can afford. If you will be living alone this means that you have to get used to taking on all financial responsibility yourself. One of the plus sides of renting is that, in some cases, the utilities are included in your rent. If this is not the case make sure you calculate to the cent what your monthly bills are. Know exactly where you stand so you can make an educated decision in the hardest of times.
How Much Space Will You Need?
If you plan to live alone you may not require a lot of space. However, if you plan to have roommates, kids living with you, or kids staying with you periodically, you need to make sure you have enough space. Will there be enough beds? What about seats at the kitchen table? Is there an adequate number of bathrooms? Just like your finances you really need to take inventory of your life and decide what size space you will need.
Is the Location Suitable for Your Needs?
Oh yes it may be beautiful and it may have kids playing on every sidewalk combined with the best schools around, but does this location fit in to your life. That doesn’t always mean is it safe for you and your family. This could also include possibly picking up and dropping off kids, whether to school or other parent or another relative. Imagine your day-to-day and what it looks like. Does this location fit in?
We know that divorce can be hard, and sometimes coupled with the stresses of finding a new place to live it can feel like too much. Buckeye Northwest Realty is here to help you with anything you need. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you and your family.
