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Post by legacy23 on Sept 24, 2013 12:00:58 GMT -5
Anytime, I hope it helps Mary. I was in a similar situation as you when I had to find a place before my daughter came home. We moved into our place on March 1st and Jazlyn came home on March 8th. We were just in time. Don't worry you'll find something. Please speak to Gil about owning also, what everyone is saying about that is true. For a little more than your rent deposit you can put a down payment on a new home. I didn't find that out until afterwards plus I didn't have enough time but it can turn out to be more affordable to own than rent.
If there is anything I can help with please, let me know.
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 9, 2013 7:52:28 GMT -5
Getting really discouraged with looking for a place. Every time I get my hopes up about something, it falls through. There is something that sounds decent in Elizabeth but I feel like I don't even want to call because "why bother"?
Just feeling really down. The accident didn't help things.
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Post by sugar on Oct 9, 2013 9:34:37 GMT -5
Mary, it sucks (and I feel your pain about the whole apartment thing) but you have to just keep casting a wide net. Since September we have looked at at least 13-15 apartments, put in an application for two (my fav one decided last minute they didn't want a big dog and we are still waiting on the other one). So many of these we've seen tell us to lie on the application about Chubs (big no-no for me) some places let us fall in love and THEN tell us there is a weight or breed restriction. Or they tell us they'll show us places in our price range and then after we love a place, they tell us its $200-$400 out of our range. Its sucks, but eventually you'll find something. Its not easy (I actually cried when we were turned down for the apt I loved, but then you just keep going. Its totally ok to get bummed). I'll send lots of happy home thoughts your way.
Also, I may have missed something but what accident? Is everything ok?
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 9, 2013 9:38:43 GMT -5
Thanks....I know you are having the same frustrations. Good apartment-finding vibes back at you. The annoying thing is people keep telling me too to lie about a dog (ok, hide a cat maybe, but how can I keep a Pit Bull a secret?? Not that I'd ever do that, but do people actually think that's something that can be done logically?) or not to worry about getting a dog, it doesn't matter, I'll have the baby soon. People don't understand my strong need to find a Pit Bull-friendly apartment. Lie or don't get a dog, are my options, supposedly.
Two weeks ago, some guy smashed up my car really bad. Everything is ok, but mentally I haven't quite recovered yet and I still have no car and no money from insurance. It's been the last thing I needed to have happen right now.
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Post by emilys on Oct 9, 2013 11:31:57 GMT -5
There are a lot of pros/cons of both renting and owning. The upkeep of a home is a lot of work and it's not for everyone. If something expensive breaks, it's all on you to fix/replace. But you also have a lot more privacy and security, and if you are really smart about what and where you buy then it's a good investment. I agree with these points. Buying a home CAN be a good thing, but it can also be a road to financial disaster. You need a substantial down payment, a solid income plus savings to meet your mortgage payments if you lose your job, as well as savings to fix the inevitable. Houses are not the great investment they used to be, either (unless you're lucky enough to find an under-priced property or able to buy a "fixer upper" cheaply and do most of the work yourself). If you don't have enough income/stability to afford a house now, it's still a good idea to start saving for one. If you can't afford to save, you can't afford to buy a house. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 9, 2013 11:32:47 GMT -5
^ Thanks Emily, I think that is sound advice.
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Post by melonie on Oct 9, 2013 15:33:42 GMT -5
Ouch, sorry to hear about your car, and very glad you and baby bump are ok.
When my daughter Megan said she wanted a pit bull I envisioned this situation you two are in. It's sad and a bit scary.
Sugar, were either of the places willing to negotiate on rent? The $200 over one I would have tried like hell. lol
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Post by loverocksalot on Oct 15, 2013 7:23:39 GMT -5
Best thing we ever did when my son was 2 and even though on one income at the time, we took every resource we could find and bought a house. Even though the mortgage was double the rent we were paying we managed. 20 years later and I am still a stay at home mom. With a house paid off. This is our investment. Yes we had times where it was hard when things broke, but I had hard times in my apartment too. We were so afraid but I became very frugal willing to give up wants for needs. I was even willing to give up my car which I never did. Today because of that hard work of keeping within means we now can have our wants. It seemed like a lifetime away but it came faster then you can even imagine. Now it is much easier to buy a home and with the rates so low and banks offering different incentives, I feel its a no brainier. We have even considered buying a couple of houses that would be for our boys 1st homes. Now is the time to buy! If you want to eventually have your own house, I would go for it now. I would head out this weekend and look at houses. Seriously we did not have a pot to piss in but some how we did it.
I dont know about NJ but in NY there is tax discounts too for people at incomes less then 500,000 a year.
With the rates so low you should be able to find a house where mortgage and taxes are in your budget.
Good Luck to you! And have fun searching it can be alot of fun to look at houses even ones you cant afford. But the best are the ones you can see the good bones behind the mess. Like my moms house that just needed some paint. I had so much fun looking at houses for her.
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 22, 2013 7:47:35 GMT -5
Just thought I'd update this....we are still looking. Sort of. Because I had to purchase a car due to the accident last month, the added expense is making it a bit difficult to move right this second. We are still keeping our eyes open just in case something amazing pops up. I just keep sending good vibes out to the universe to send us our perfect place to live. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and please keep us in mind if you hear of/see anything.
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Post by megan on Oct 23, 2013 6:50:16 GMT -5
I've asked around but haven't had any luck. I'll keep my eyes peeled in case I see something.
And I understand your frustrations about "just lie about your dog" .... I haven't quite understood that mentality. Aside from the obvious lying aspect of it, you put yourself and a dog in a really bad situation if you get caught. Usually it's a "you leave, or the dog goes now" sort of thing. And no one should put themselves or their dog in that type of situation.
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Post by megan on Oct 29, 2013 5:12:18 GMT -5
Is North Middletown a possible option? I know of someone renting a house there. I haven't asked details because I wasn't sure if the location would work.... I know it's pet friendly and I highly doubt there are breed restrictions, I'm waiting to hear back to confirm but wanted to put it out there in the meantime to see if the location might work?
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 29, 2013 7:19:57 GMT -5
Oh I would love to move down there, that's too far though.....thank you for looking out, I really appreciate it.
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 29, 2013 7:50:57 GMT -5
Def. too far from me  |
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 29, 2013 7:53:57 GMT -5
I'm still determined to find a cute little cottage on that road we looked at, Michele.
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 29, 2013 7:55:28 GMT -5
I know me too. Down the road I am thinking you might be able to buy a cute little place like that within the area... or maybe even Watchung or Warren.
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I look forward to learning much here