Renters seem to have it more difficult this holiday season as rents are rising!

Renters seem to get it at both ends, on one side there are the Realtors who are saying "its never been as easy to buy as it is now", which we know is not true, since the easy buying of 2002-2005 is what led to the recession mess. Then they now have this information out that because properties are being gobbled up by investors, its getting harder to find good quality dwellings:

The share of renters stretched thin by their housing costs has spiked in the last decade, as rental rates have increased and wages have plummeted, according to a report released by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Half of U.S. renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, up 12 percentage points from a decade earlier, according to the report. Renters facing severe financial burdens — those who spend more than half their income on rent — accounted for much of the increase, rising to a reported 27 percent from 19 percent of all renters a decade before.

Adverse economic conditions appear to have driven the nosedive in affordability. The center said that real median rents (adjusted for inflation) increased by 6 percent between 2000 and 2012, while real median income of renters fell by 13 percent.

“More than ever before, the private market struggles to provide decent housing that is affordable for people of even modest means,” the center said.

The good news, especially in Jacksonville, is that there are plenty of RENT TO OWN options. If you cannot afford to buy right now, due to credit issues or other issues, Rent to own or Lease with the option to buy, may be an excellent option for you. If you had a payment for a house LESS than what it costs to BUY, why not look at this, especially if the owner has the the place fixed up and will provide work for equity. Check out this option and let me know your thoughts:

3213 Plum Street

#LizBobeck