Other variables, such as ownership of a truck or the presence of children 6 and older, emerged as strong factors in the decision to lease an auto.

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But he rejected the suggestion that the care homes were struggling because of the business decision to lease all their homes from landlords, arguing that lease structures provide better stability than bank lending.

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The decision of whether to lease or buy requires careful consideration and often depends on the lease terms.

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Norton, too, said she had discussed the proposed reduction of the lease sale with the president, although she characterized the decision-making process somewhat differently.

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The big risk here has to do with the Federal Communications Commission's decision to stop forcing the Baby Bells to lease out their consumer phone lines at discount prices.

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