tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post2051085030028060680..comments2023-11-03T08:22:02.385-05:00Comments on The Everyday Adventures of Me in the City: The long journey to condoBayjbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544971638369054902noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-56881073839001413772009-04-20T05:37:00.000-05:002009-04-20T05:37:00.000-05:00Huge step and I wish you the best of luck!Huge step and I wish you the best of luck!Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14149777435132497067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-41498943493392556682009-04-19T09:34:00.000-05:002009-04-19T09:34:00.000-05:00Hooray for you! Homebuying is a huge leap - I was ...Hooray for you! Homebuying is a huge leap - I was 25 when I jumped. I kind of wish I'd gotten a condo instead of a house though. Lawns are a pain.<br /><br />When you're shopping, remember to think forward if the place isn't EXACTLY what you want right off. A few quick DIYs can turn an outdate place into fabulousness, and you always get a better price on homes that aren't already updated. I refinished all my wall tiles in the bath and kitchen, as well as the cabinets. Replaced a few light fixtures, painted everything. Added dishwasher and over-range microwave. It's so neat because then YOU choose. It's a completely different house, and a lot of people passed over it because it was soooo 70s when it was on the market.<br /><br />I'm a handy girl. I'll come help you :o)Rebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06844013820844056584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-58217254288050098602009-04-15T18:23:00.000-05:002009-04-15T18:23:00.000-05:00That is so exciting. Buying your own place and kno...That is so exciting. Buying your own place and knowing where you want to settle down before 30 is awesome. And being able to afford it on your own, too. Congrats. That is definitely a far off dream for me. I got laid off a few weeks ago and don't even really have a career path.<br /><br />But anyway back to your question. Certain things are absolutely non-negotiable. A washer and dryer in the unit. Dishwasher. Storage, must have closets. Must be relatively close to the highway/subway/bus stop/whatever. Also I don't think I could handle anything smaller than 500SF.<br /><br />And certain things would be nice but not necessary. Depending on how affordable it would be to you, more than one bedroom would be nice. Granite countertops. A big kitchen. Lots of light. Open floor plan.orange sugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02861196943377062697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-34802840914448257882009-04-15T14:48:00.000-05:002009-04-15T14:48:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.orange sugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02861196943377062697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-77966284838800302052009-04-15T10:28:00.000-05:002009-04-15T10:28:00.000-05:00Moving is flat out evil.Moving is flat out evil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-89863370930150922612009-04-14T21:25:00.000-05:002009-04-14T21:25:00.000-05:00You make me feel like I am not crazy! Thank you fo...You make me feel like I am not crazy! Thank you for always commenting! Greatly appreciated. LOL<br /><br />-Jamie<br /><br />http://lasweetpetite.blogspot.com/Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04236649985628281640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-22108847388264411232009-04-14T20:55:00.000-05:002009-04-14T20:55:00.000-05:00How exciting and good for you! I would totally agr...How exciting and good for you! I would totally agree with washer and dryer and probably a dishwasher. <br /><br />Make sure you know how much the condo fees are and don't overpay for nothing. Make sure there are extra goodies in the mix (gym, or covered parking, etc.) if you have high fees. Though, I am more familiar with home buying in a smaller city, so I can't give much advice. <br /><br />You won't regret it!jess@thehomeboundhttp://www.thehomebound.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-90361359766716564512009-04-14T20:37:00.000-05:002009-04-14T20:37:00.000-05:00Oh my. I am in the middle of buying my first place...Oh my. I am in the middle of buying my first place too. Good for you for going ahead with it!<br /><br />Hopefully you'll find the place of your dreams soon. <br /><br />Yes, moving is awful. Every second of it. Good luck!Bridgethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590107933316684351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-44803008439568782322009-04-14T19:47:00.000-05:002009-04-14T19:47:00.000-05:00I'm delurking to share! I moved to Chicago in Jul...I'm delurking to share! I moved to Chicago in July and just bought a place here, I close next month. So excited! It's a great time to buy.<br /><br />I bought my first place 10 years ago at 25 (yikes!) You'll be so happy you did it, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives. <br /><br />I worked with a super realtor if you're interested. She's 30, cool, hip and so great to work with!<br /><br />Best of luck!<br /><br />(This will be my 4th move in 24 months!)Geggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15475008970798645858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-41718774324621396022009-04-14T18:03:00.000-05:002009-04-14T18:03:00.000-05:00Congrats! SOO EXCITING. I need to have a big cooki...Congrats! SOO EXCITING. I need to have a big cooking area - with a big deep sink and a space for people to sit for dinner parties. Cooking for people is one of my favorite things to do.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08316712975311576299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-8654437499793981492009-04-14T18:01:00.000-05:002009-04-14T18:01:00.000-05:00Yes, I agree - the built in amenities are a must h...Yes, I agree - the built in amenities are a must have. When we considered buying a condo in Chicago awhile back, we were looking for places with low assesement fees and preferred browstone/3-4 unit flats over the larger condo complexes. We wanted a place that wasn't heavily reliant on a lot of owners to pay for the maintenance services.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12320565782720686736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-89663038491887448132009-04-14T18:00:00.000-05:002009-04-14T18:00:00.000-05:00okay that is awesome. i cannot wait to own a house...okay that is awesome. i cannot wait to own a house one day, man i look forward to the day. and i totally want a washer and dryer too, then i can finally use my quarters for fun stuff...like parking meters, haha.Katelinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15994241556437259884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-90635737032162900722009-04-14T11:57:00.000-05:002009-04-14T11:57:00.000-05:00Eeeeeeeeee! This is so exciting! Please let me kno...Eeeeeeeeee! This is so exciting! Please let me know if you have any questions whatsoever--we bought a house about a year ago and had the biggest idiot loan officer of all time, plus we're refinancing right now, so we've been through quite a bit recently. <br /><br />I hate, hate, HATE moving! My dealbreakers are the laundry (I also need a washer and dryer in my house), a garage (must have it) and kitchen cabinets (the more, the better).Katehttp://punchitin.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-67700222377804742212009-04-14T11:09:00.001-05:002009-04-14T11:09:00.001-05:00Oh, congrats! It's such an exciting process. Deal...Oh, congrats! It's such an exciting process. Deal breakers for me are: only one bathroom, only one bedroom, small/no patio, small closet space. Every condo I looked at in Atlanta had a washer and dryer hook up.<br /><br />Too bad you're in Chicago. I am trying to sell my 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom condo in Atlanta. =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-49001062815553746232009-04-14T11:09:00.000-05:002009-04-14T11:09:00.000-05:00I. Hate. Moving. Boxing things, packing anything,...I. Hate. Moving. Boxing things, packing anything, etc. I hate it. I'm sure when I'm able to get a place of my own I'll be excited and that will be enough to motivate me through the moving process, though.Jaime @ Fast Timeshttp://thepqnation.com/showandtellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-40854090624666376362009-04-14T10:54:00.000-05:002009-04-14T10:54:00.000-05:00Congratulations!! I had a goal of buying a home be...Congratulations!! I had a goal of buying a home before I was 30, and since I ended up splitting it with my boyfriend I ended up buying a condo last year at age 26. I haven't regretted it for a second!<br /><br />I will be interested to hear about your process, since my goal was six months, too, but the whole thing took on a life of its own and we were moved within six weeks! <br /><br />My non-negotiables were: Lots of light and MUST have a washer/dryer. At a certain point it gets embarrassing to be in your mid 20s and STILL taking your laundry home to your parents' house.Sarah Alwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04592856192999277982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-3072229005893307032009-04-14T09:30:00.000-05:002009-04-14T09:30:00.000-05:00Congrats! My deal breaker was the in house washer...Congrats! My deal breaker was the in house washer and dryer too! I HATED going to the laundry mat! And the funny thing was that I had to go over to my Mom & Dad's to wash my undies because I wasn't going to have them flaunt around at the laundry mat! lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-14301010379947121152009-04-14T09:28:00.000-05:002009-04-14T09:28:00.000-05:00Wow! Majorly exciting news. Are you switching ne...Wow! Majorly exciting news. Are you switching neighborhoods. I can't wait to have a dishwasher once again. I'd like in-unit washer/dryer but the dishwasher is even more important to me. Oh and central heat and air. I am so sick of radiators.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09897414542540122640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-80017062090008638542009-04-14T08:56:00.000-05:002009-04-14T08:56:00.000-05:00whoohoo! a place of your own! very exciting! i'm w...whoohoo! a place of your own! very exciting! i'm with ya on the moving though.... omg hate it. Even now with an apt to myself- in the back of my mind I try to keep things as minimal as possible because I'm so used to moving and am considering it again this fall for a cheaper place. ugh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-53915305594765047622009-04-14T08:49:00.000-05:002009-04-14T08:49:00.000-05:00This is so exciting! I can't wait to here all abou...This is so exciting! I can't wait to here all about :) For me the washer/dryer is a must but I also require outdoor space, either your own deck or a communal patio and then maybe an indoor parking space. not a must but would def be a factor. <br /><br />Congrats!Halhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11090469571438013259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-85219248236367971902009-04-14T08:36:00.000-05:002009-04-14T08:36:00.000-05:00Congrats! I'm in exactly the same situation. Just ...Congrats! I'm in exactly the same situation. Just moved back to Boston (where I grew up) and am crashing with family for a few months to stash some $$ for a down payment. Who knew they were going to want 20%????<br /><br />Deal breakers for me are safe neighborhood, two bedrooms and OUTDOOR SPACE!! That last one is a true must. It also wouldn't hurt to have super hot single neighbors.<br /><br />My latest obsession is redfin.com. Lots of listings and the most comprehensive info (photos, price reductions, comps) that I've found out there.<br /><br />Good Luck!!Eskimonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-5754198434311155532009-04-14T08:12:00.001-05:002009-04-14T08:12:00.001-05:00So excited for you! I, too, am rather transient, o...So excited for you! I, too, am rather transient, or at least I like to think so. I'm mainly just afraid of settling down because what if by some odd chance I want to move again!! I think it's the army brat in me.<br /><br />Anyway.....as a renter, I look forward to having a larger space and also being able to put paint on the walls. I also look forward to the house hunting process. I love seeing the insides of homes!A Super Girlhttp://www.secretlysupergirl.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-74804848090214438002009-04-14T08:12:00.000-05:002009-04-14T08:12:00.000-05:00My family was always in real estate, so the idea o...My family was always in real estate, so the idea of buying a house seemed natural (my sister bought her first at 21). In Chicago, though, the story feels so different, and I am nowhere near buying a house for myself! I think I'll need a few years just to explore living in different neighborhoods and save up. Congrats on the big decision. I want to go condo shopping with you! (Hey, looking at houses is in my blood)Alliehttp://allieandjeff.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-24373705011713950332009-04-14T07:56:00.000-05:002009-04-14T07:56:00.000-05:00When I bought my house... I just wanted to no long...When I bought my house... I just wanted to no longer live in a basement with dirty dishwater and dirty bathwater from two floors above leaking into my apartment. That was my dealbreaker. And not in a bad neighborhood. That's not easy sometimes in Wilmington.<br /><br />Watch out for association fees and whatnot in condos, though! We originally were looking at condos and heard some horror stories... like if the condo association decides to build a new clubhouse, they can charge you for it (one charged a coworker of mine $10,000 for a new roof on the clubhouse). Do your homework before purchasing into an association like that, and make sure they don't have a habit of doing things like that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04285015379949522672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894166322205551970.post-52230472668434867542009-04-14T07:48:00.000-05:002009-04-14T07:48:00.000-05:00Aww, that's so exciting! I miss having my own plac...Aww, that's so exciting! I miss having my own place. It's nice just to know it's yours.The Modern Galhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08663558561522180816noreply@blogger.com