Renting an apartment

[AMCRambler]

So I'm thinking about renting an apartment. I've been doing the live with the parents and save money thing in the hopes I'd be able to get a house in the area. The market has dropped a bit on houses in the past couple months, but I'm still not where I'd like to be on a down payment. I can see the wisdom in staying home another year or two, but it's time to move out and be independent.
I'm looking at renting from a private owner rather than a housing community or apartment complex mainly for the price. A private owner with a two family type home that is renting seems to be a better price around here. All the complexes are a good $150-200 more per month. Any down sides to this that I'm missing? Other than the obvious private owners can be more picky about noise, guests that visit, etc. Trying to weigh if the extra $200 a month has any justification for an apartment complex.
As far as whether utilities and cable is included in the rent, I'm pretty ignorant. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. I kind of like the idea of being able to control my heat and electric bills based on how much I'm actually using it. Seems more fair. Any other advice you guys an think of?

 

[purbeast0]

Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

Potomac?

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: shocksyde

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

Potomac?

Nah right accross from the Grosvenor metro station right off of 495.

 

[Tuktuk]

Don't limit your options. Just look what is available and if it interests you check it out. There are privately owned rentals for good values and rental agency rentals that are god values. I've personally never rented from 'just some guy,' and have found that better deals are found with agencies. They are also easier to deal with I would assume. Private owners hire agencies to handle their property because agencies actually know the landlord/tenant rules and have the staff to deal with any problems you have. I've seen some ridiculous offers for rentals, Grandmas wanting $600/month for a room in a basement (where $600 will get you a 1 bedroom apartment) and there are even rules attached. If you rent from some random person you have no idea who you're dealing with and if they don't know the landlord/tenant laws they won't be as quick to do maintenence or other things like that.

 

[Al Neri]

you guys just didn't look hard enough. I bought a place. I'm 25 minutes from manhattan. and I pay ~1100 a month. It's ~500 sqft and I'm building equity at 24.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Don Rodriguez
you guys just didn't look hard enough. I bought a place. I'm 25 minutes from manhattan. and I pay ~1100 a month. It's ~500 sqft and I'm building equity at 24.

I don't want to suffer just to build equity at an early age. 500 sqft isn't even a studio in the building I found my apartment in. I can have a good time for a year or so and pay rent, then buy a place when I'm like 26 or 27. I have plenty of time to settle down in a few years.

I could have easily bought something that is like 25-30 minutes from where any kind of night life is, but what fun is that? I don't want to have to drive 30 minutes to go out to a bar, then not drink much so i can be sober when I drive home. I'd rather take a cab 5 minutes to a bar, have a blast, then cab back for $5.

I have a friend who just bought a house w/his fiance in Ashburn VA. Sure it's nice, but it took us 40 minutes or so to get to their place, and everyone who went there was talkin about how far in the boonies it is. Then when they go out with us, they have to drive 30 minutes or so just to get close to the city where we will go out in.

Not to mention, living farther away from anything makes for a hell of a commute. I don't want to be in a car for an hour each way going to and from work.

To each their own!

 

[Lord Zado]

I am in the exact same situation right now as well. Living at home in the basement (just turned 23 two weeks ago). Wanted to save for a house, but I am getting tired of living at home. My brother and I are looking at apartments right now. We both want to live on our own, but we want houses eventually, so doing the roommate thing lets us save our money and we get along well enough.

We were looking at apartment complexes just because we didn't feel like dealing with potential hassles from private owners. I should check out Craiglist though. Just started my preliminary research last week. Any tips for first time apartment hunters?

 

[zixxer]

My house has a basement apartment that I rent to a pretty laid-back easy going guy. He pays $550 including utilities (the bathroom has a shower stall - no bathtub). In my experience, trying to split utilities in this type of situation is impossible - he's only living in like 25-30% of the living space of the house. He also has his own entrance, so it's not like having a roommate - I don't go in his apartment, he doesn't come inside the living-part of the house. It works out great.


My recommendation is to check craigslist for a situation like this - he's month-to-month (I don't want someone living there that doesn't want to be there anyway..) and signs a 30 day lease. It's a lot cheaper than an apartment, but is a huge help to me mortgage-wise.

 

[Aikouka]

I've been perusing Apartments.com for places. Pretty decent site overall and I've had no problems with it. I've got a list of about 5 places that I'm going to inquire at. From my own experiences so far, my main goal is to get a place that I want to live in. I'm picky about washer and dryer being in-unit as I've had the opposite before at college (lived in an apartment and had to walk down the street for laundry... it was not fun in the winter) and it's much easier to do laundry on a more timely basis in my opinion.

 

[AMCRambler]

All good info. I'm gonna have to check out Craigs List. Forgot about that site. I've been looking in the newspaper, penny saver and apartments.com.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

Completely depends on down payment/loan. There are conventional 30 year loans that only force you to put down 2-3% and still don't require pmi (I have one...) which can push the payment up.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

yes i could afford a $1275/month payment on a house, and yes a $150k house could run only $800/mo or so.

what does that have to do w/anything I said. I'm

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

yes i could afford a $1275/month payment on a house, and yes a $150k house could run only $800/mo or so.

what does that have to do w/anything I said. I'm

i assumed the following quote meant you were looking for a house:

"I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage. "

i thought mortgage pertained to houses? what else does it pertain to?

 

[hellokeith]

Be careful, there are many hidden costs with ownership. Yes of course equity is good, but you really need two sources of income to offset the risk [higher debt] of home ownership.

Both sets of my best friends (+ wives & kids) moved to the boonies in order to find houses they could afford, and are now paying the price in long commute times and few friends willing to make the drive to visit them.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

yes i could afford a $1275/month payment on a house, and yes a $150k house could run only $800/mo or so.

what does that have to do w/anything I said. I'm

it means you could have bought 150K house. if you did not get that then \...

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

yes i could afford a $1275/month payment on a house, and yes a $150k house could run only $800/mo or so.

what does that have to do w/anything I said. I'm

it means you could have bought 150K house. if you did not get that then \...

Every loan calculator I've looked at would put your monthly payments for a $150k house at way more than $800 a month. Sure about that figure? How much of a down payment are you talking about? If I could find a house around here for $150k I would buy it by the way. Condos here go for 200-250k. Where do you live?!?

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

yes i could afford a $1275/month payment on a house, and yes a $150k house could run only $800/mo or so.

what does that have to do w/anything I said. I'm

it means you could have bought 150K house. if you did not get that then \...

but I never said I couldn't have bought a 150K house. i said i couldn't afford a house in a location I would like to live.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: purbeast0
Hah it's funny cause I was pretty much in the SAME situation as you...

I was living w/my mom in her basement for 2 years faster after graduation, and my GF moved in like a year after I had graduated. I wanted to save and save for a down payment, but even aftr 2 years saving, it was just not enough to put down on a place now in this area and have a reasonable mortgage.

So early december I started to look for apartments in locations I wanted. Actual apartments were no where NEAR what my GF and I wanted to pay. It was like $1600/mo + utilities at the cheapest. Granted those did have washer/dryer in unit, it was still way too much for us.

So I went to craigslist. I saw a few GREAT deals that I tried to jump on but were snatched up first, then mid january I found one that interested me. It was 1275/mo with all utilities included and it's location is prime. The only downside is that washer/dryer are not inside the unit, but hey I can't complain for that price. Most condo's in that unit are about 250K - 300K, and the condo fee is $550/month. So paying $1275/mo which included all utilities (except internet) is pretty damn good. The subway is literally accross the street. The main highway is literally 1/8 mile away. If you are familiar with Maryland at all ... DC is a few miles down the road, Besthesda is less than 1 mile away, and I'm right at the southern tip of Rockville.

I moved in on Saturday and can't complain at all!

I'm 25 and I just finally realized that I need to get out on my own, even if it means pay rent for a little bit. My GF and I just needed more space and privacy. My mom really wished that I could put taht $1275/mo into a mortgage and just still stay at home to save that $$, but she understands and supported the whole thing and is extremely happy for us as well.

I say go for it man and check out craigslist. It took me over a month of craigslist searching to find the right one, but in the end it paid off. Our landlord is cool as hell too, and even said she would probably sell it to us at the end if w e wanted it.

maybe i'm missing something but you can afford a house for $1275 a month? a $150k house should only run you about $7-800 a month in mortgage.

yes i could afford a $1275/month payment on a house, and yes a $150k house could run only $800/mo or so.

what does that have to do w/anything I said. I'm

it means you could have bought 150K house. if you did not get that then \...

Every loan calculator I've looked at would put your monthly payments for a $150k house at way more than $800 a month. Sure about that figure? How much of a down payment are you talking about? If I could find a house around here for $150k I would buy it by the way. Condos here go for 200-250k. Where do you live?!?

you agreed to his statement above. TEXAS ftw