How to Evaluate a Rental House

Are you an "accidental" renter who really wants to own a house?

You're not alone. Cyberhomes blogger Lauren Baier Kim recently shared how she and her husband were turned down for a home loan, and, subsequently, started looking at rental homes. She describes a common need to accommodate visiting family members and friends. She reasons a rental home will provide more space than an apartment.

The number of rental homes is growing, too, but they're a slightly different animal than an rental apartment. Here are ways to evaluate a rental home compared to an apartment...