Rent prices have been steadily rising over the last few years. This is especially true in popular real estate markets like Naples, FL where higher home sale prices have spurred competition over a limited number of affordable rental properties. What most renters don’t realize, however, is that there are a number of money-saving tips that they can follow to make even the most gorgeous homes for rent in Naples, FL fit their respective budgets.
Figuring out how to save money while renting isn’t just about keeping expenses in check. It’s also about keeping more money in your bank account, allowing you to save up for a downpayment on your first home. After all, homeownership is a big part of the American Dream.
For the most part, renters are well aware of money-saving methods like keeping a close watch over their utility expenses or prepping meals instead of eating out every day. While these work well, addressing the root issue of high rent should be the first steps tenants should take. To accomplish this, they may want to lean on knowledge of landlords in Naples, FL.
WHY A LANDLORD IS THE BEST SOURCE OF MONEY-SAVING TIPS
It may come as a surprise to many, but landlords are actually a fantastic source of money-saving tips for tenants. How so?
- Landlords have a wealth of experience when negotiating terms with tenants. They’ve seen and heard almost everything a tenant may come up with to negotiate their rent down. A friendly landlord can help give you insider knowledge on what specific terms and offers have actually worked on them and will likely work on others. This kind of insight can prove invaluable when you enter negotiations with your own potential landlord.
- Landlords understand that happy tenants are good for business. A good landlord will be open to sharing money-saving tips in order to keep their tenants content and ensure a stable flow of passive income.
If you happen to have a friend who owns or manages homes for rent in Naples, FL, do not hesitate to ask them for advice on how to save money and make your rent more affordable.
5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WHILE RENTING A HOME
Of course, not everyone has a landlord within their circle of friends, so we have compiled some of the best money-saving tips from landlords in Naples, FL.
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Focus on essential features
It sounds like something everyone should know instinctively. However, it’s fairly easy to fall in love with non-essential features. Do you really need a second bedroom if you’re planning to live on your own? If not, perhaps going with a nice studio apartment may be a more practical choice. If you know that all you really need in an apartment is a good bed, a refrigerator, and an air conditioner, you may want to consider looking at semi-furnished homes for rent in Naples, FL rather than limiting your search to fully furnished options.
The best way to budget your money toward essentials is by listing your wants and needs in two separate columns. Rank them in order of how important they are to you. Create a third column labeled “Nice to Haves” and move the lower ranked features there. Doing this will help keep things in perspective and make it easier for you to stay objective when evaluating whether a rental property is right for you.
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Sign an extended lease
When negotiating the terms of your lease agreement, your landlord will usually let you choose the length of the lease. If possible, opt for a longer lease agreement. Although it may seem counterintuitive at first, choosing a longer lease period may encourage a landlord to offer you a better deal on the rent. There are compelling reasons for this:
Landlords won’t have to spend on renovations so often
It is standard practice for landlords to spruce up their properties before they rent out the units to new tenants. A longer lease period means they won’t have to go through the renovation process several times a year.
Landlords will save money on the costs associated with looking for a new tenant
Experienced landlords know that it is more expensive to find a new tenant than it is to keep a good one – and acquisition expenses can balloon quickly. Aside from the aforementioned renovations, landlords will often have to spend money on marketing, open house scheduling, tenant background checks, document processing, and the like.
Landlords are able to secure a stable source of income, allowing them to plan their finances better
Many landlords rent out properties in order to supplement their income. Knowing that there will be a steady stream of income over a defined period of time provides landlords with a sense of financial security. In some cases, this may be enough to get a landlord to agree to lowering rent by a few hundred dollars.
The most sensible lease period renters should go for is one year. However, if you anticipate you’ll be staying in Naples, FL a lot longer due to your job or family commitments, you may want to explore a two-year lease.
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Find a roommate or two
As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. In this case, two people taking on the cost of rent is better than paying rent on your own. Getting a roommate is one of the most effective ways to decrease your rent, as well as save on shared expenses like supplies, groceries, and utilities. If you are interested in getting a roommate after you secure a rental home, be sure to ask your landlord about subletting.
Alternatively, you may also want to partner up with a friend and look for a place to rent together. Doing so increases your purchasing power while splitting costs, allowing you to look at rental properties that were previously out of your price range. Once the lease is approved, you and your friend can set up individual accounts to help streamline the process of paying your rent, as well as your other recurring expenses.
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Offer to give up unnecessary inclusions
In an effort to make their properties more attractive and convenient for renters, landlords will often offer a variety of inclusions. If you don’t need such inclusions, however, don’t be afraid to give them up in exchange for a reduction in rent.
For example, renters who don’t own cars may be able to convince their landlord to reduce the rent if they give up the parking space that comes with their unit. Many landlords would be happy to oblige as they can easily rent just the parking space to another tenant.
There are also landlords who integrate the cost of utilities to their pricing. However, it is often much more affordable to pay for your own utility bills as the cost isn’t fixed. This is especially true if you anticipate being away from the property for extended periods.
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Consider taking on regular work for the landlord
Are you particularly handy when it comes to home repairs or electronics? If so, you may want to try offering your skills to your landlord in exchange for a discounted rate on your rent.
Florida law dictates that landlords must ensure that their properties are fit to be lived in. This includes working plumbing, access to hot water, and reasonable security, among others. Should something break down, landlords will need to have a professional come in to fix it in a timely manner. If you have the necessary skills to pull off simple repairs, you’ll be saving your landlord a lot of time, money, and effort. As a result, they may be more willing to offer you a discount.
Don’t have the DIY chops to do repair work? No problem. You can easily offer to mow lawns, trim hedges, or even assist your landlord with their bookkeeping!
4 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AS YOU TRANSITION TO HOME OWNERSHIP
Of course, your ultimate goal should be to be able to save enough money so that you can eventually graduate from being a tenant into a home owner. There are also a few steps that you can follow to help minimize your expenses during this phase.
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Explore rent-to-own agreements
Traditionally, rent-to-own homes are associated with higher monthly payments than a typical lease agreement. While entering such an agreement may seem counterproductive, it can actually help you save money in two ways:
- Rent-to-own agreements are helpful if you have a poor credit score
Poor credit scores have a significant impact on renters who want to take a step toward home ownership. In fact, a poor credit score almost always leads to unfavorable mortgage rates. Rent-to-own agreements give those with poor credit a chance to raise their rating by making timely payments.
- Rent-to-own contract prices are fixed and final
Price appreciation is inevitable in real estate. Since the contract price is fixed and final after negotiation, a rent-to-own agreement may help protect you against inflation.
- Rent-to-own agreements are helpful if you have a poor credit score
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Raise your credit score
Simply put, better credit scores give you access to better mortgage rates from traditional lenders. This makes it faster and easier to transition from being a renter to a homeowner.
Some of the best ways to raise and maintain a favorable credit score are:
- Paying your bills in full and on time. This includes your rent, utilities, and the like.
- Subscribing to a rent reporting service so your payment records are sent to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
- Reviewing your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax every year and declaring any errors you may find.
On average, 90% of successful mortgage applicants have a credit score above 670. If you can raise your credit score to 740 or higher, you are able to qualify for the best rates lenders are able to offer. This leads to more savings on interest payments.
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Explore tax breaks and grants
If you’re looking for more ways to save on your first home purchase, make sure you take advantage of tax breaks and grants. Florida offers first-time homebuyers a wide range of tax breaks and grants to help buyers save money. Options available to first-time homebuyers in the state include:
- Florida HFA Preferred Conventional Loan
- HFA Preferred Grant
- Florida Mortgage Credit Certificate Program
Be sure to consult a trusted real estate agent to see which options you qualify for.
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Reduce homeowners insurance premiums
As a new homeowner, one of the best ways to save money is by reducing your homeowners insurance premiums. You can achieve this by following these tips:
- Shop around and compare prices from different insurers to help you find the best deal.
- Raise your deductible. You should never choose a deductible higher than what you can realistically pay out of pocket.
- Take advantage of insurance policy bundles if your insurer offers them.
- Reduce risk by investing in security and safety features.
- Flexibility is the biggest perk associated with being a short-stay tenant. Short-stay tenants are better positioned to adapt to abrupt changes in employment, lifestyle, and family matters.
- Short-term rentals are often better maintained. Thanks to the frequent tenant turnover, short-term rental properties undergo regular professional maintenance. As such, short-stay tenants don’t have to deal with things breaking down during their lease period.
- Negotiating for lower rent is easier if you’re a long-term tenant. Additionally, the rent both you and your landlord agree on is locked for the duration of the lease, protecting long-term tenants from inflation and rising costs of living.
- Long-term tenants typically enjoy better stability and peace of mind. They do not have to go through the stress of finding a new place to live before the end of every month. This makes it easier to settle into daily work and life routines, which helps improve mood and quality of life.
ARE YOU A SHORT-STAY OR LONG-TERM TENANT?
As you look at homes for rent in Naples, FL, it is important to know whether you are categorized as a short-term or long-term tenant.
Short-stay tenants lease rental properties on a daily, weekly, or a month-to-month basis. On the other hand, long-term tenants will typically lease a property on a 12-month basis.
Short-stay tenants will typically want to look at rental properties that primarily serve as vacation rentals. These often come in the form of beachfront condominiums and waterfront vacation townhouses. Long-term tenants are best suited for residential home rentals, either in the form of apartments or single-family homes.
Both short-stay and long-term tenants enjoy a unique set of advantages. Familiarizing yourself with these perks and comparing them to your current lifestyle can help you decide whether you’re better suited as a short-stay or long-term tenant.
Perks of being a short-stay tenant
Perks of being a long-term tenant
OVERVIEW OF THE RENTAL MARKET IN NAPLES, FL
Get your bearings
It’s always good to know a little something about the neighborhood you’re planning to move to – like Naples. Lying on the Gulf of Mexico, Naples is located in Collier County in Southwest Florida.It is bordered by Miami to the east, Fort Myers to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. The city’s convenient location offers residents easy access to major Florida cities via I-75.
Living in Naples, FL
In addition to majestic beaches, Naples, FL offers warm sunny weather and high-end shops. As a result, the community enjoys an idyllic yet upscale lifestyle. The community is known to be friendly and secure.
There are a host of fun activities and attractions for all ages in Naples, FL.
The fact that many celebrities own homes in this coastal community is proof of its desirability. At one time or another, notable names that have called Naples their home were the late Disco Queen Donna Summer, Judge Judy, and basketball legend, Larry Bird. Shahid Khan (owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars) and Richard Schulze (founder and former CEO of Best Buy) also own homes in Naples.
General overview of the rental market
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Naples, FL reached $2,304 in November 2022, marking a 9% increase year-on-year. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as rent prices have been soaring nationwide for the last decade, especially in the last two years.
The desirability of Naples, FL as one of the best places to live in Florida and the United States is well documented.
According to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 rankings, Naples emerged as:
- #6 in 10 Best Places to Retire in the US
- #2 in Best Places to Live in Florida
- #16 in Best Places to Live in the US
- #9 Fastest Growing Cities in the US
Moreover, Naples is the self-proclaimed Golf Capital of the World – with good reason. The city has 91 golf courses, 30 of which are open to the public. Plus the arts and culture scene is second to none.
HOMES FOR RENT IN NAPLES, FL
Breathtaking rental homes can be found all over the city. The best neighborhoods to find stunning homes for rent in Naples, FL include:
- Bears Paw
- Airport Area
- Royal Harbor
- Aqualane Shores
- Port Royal
Check out some of our favorite rental listings in Naples, FL
EXPLORE THE RENTAL MARKET WITH THE HELP OF THE LANNERS GROUP
With over 22 years of real estate experience in Naples, FL, the Lanners Group, LLC has helped thousands of tenants find their dream short-term and long-term rentals.
If one of our homes for rent in Naples, FL has caught your eye, please do not hesitate to call us at 239.253.5446 or to send us a message here. Our team of licensed and insured property managers are always happy and ready to assist you with all your real estate needs.
In the meantime, explore the incredible array of Florida rentals today!