Motivation for renting Class A property?

[T Brown]

This is going to sound like a silly question, but I don't really understand why the people who can afford to rent a Class A SFH rent instead of buying. I suspect that I am confused because I've never known anyone who rented such a property. I come from a working-class background, so the only model I've ever seen is that renters are either young and trying to build up enough money for a down payment on a house, or are down on their luck. Either way, the renters I know in my own life only rent Class C, maybe B, untill they either get back on their feet or mature enough for a down payment. I've lived in Pittsburgh for 15 years now, and I don't know anyone who rents who doesn't have to.

This is more than a philosophical question, as I'll need to understand my customers' needs when I get into REI more seriously.

Thanks for your insight!
Trina

[Michael D.]

The houses where I want to live all have very low cap rates - and are therefore not very appealing from a BP-like investment perspective.

So I rent a house where I want to live while I buy real estate where I think the investments are good. Works for me.