Hello my lovelies. I am still in the midst of finishing 1Q84 (I think this is the week guys, really!). So instead of a book review, we’re going to talk about real estate. We are in the middle of attempting to close on an apartment I really, really like and so, naturally, I feel like I am going to throw up.
Looking for apartments and attempting to secure one is 10% fun and about 90% anxiety inducing horror. There is, of course, the search itself, filled with its huge expectations, as I have discussed before. It seems impossible that the magical apartment that fulfills most of your needs will ever manifest itself. You look on various rental websites for several months and some decent things come up, but for the most part it’s a bust. Either it’s the wrong move in date, too expensive, or in the wrong neighborhood. But then you do find it: an apartment that is reasonable, good location, and nice and that is when the heart palpitating anxiety begins.
First, you get in touch with the realtor. This is done either by phone (yuck) or e-mail (yay!). In our case, we sent out an e-mail and heard back that same day, which was truly ideal. We then proceeded to set up an appointment to visit the property.
Many things went into this encounter. I wanted to make sure we made it clear that we were young professionals who were serious about obtaining a nice place. We were not clueless students that could be manipulated or bullied. I asked a lot of questions about the heat, gas, and water, inspected closet space, and carefully looked over all the rooms, taking lots of pictures and documenting everything I could. We went down to the basement to look at the coin laundry. I asked when the property was built and who managed the building. Then we left and let the realtor know we’d get back to her with an answer within twenty-four hours.
Once responding in the affirmative, the anxiety waiting game began. This is a great apartment, but it is also an open listing, which means other realtors are showing it and ours has no control over who sees it and how things shake out. Once you decide you want the place, a flurry of activity occurs. Tenant application forms are filled out. Money is requested. Credit checks are run. And all the while, you are hoping someone else doesn’t swoop in and take the place out from under you.
If all goes well, you pass the credit check and the landlord deems you fit. Then you will be presented with a lease to sign and will also be required to pay first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, and a realtor fee all upfront. This is an ungodly sum of money. It is the kind of money that makes my hands shake and gives me a gripping, uneasy, nauseous feeling. Financially I do okay for myself, but the amount of money that needs to be paid upfront is mind numbing. Also big numbers just innately make me nervous. Once the paperwork is signed and the money is handed in, the apartment is yours! And another entirely different round of fun and games begins. But that is information for another time.
This place is gorgeous. It is almost everything I want in a new apartment. I keep waiting for something to go wrong and for the other shoe to drop. Still, we are chasing it, even though it is a little pricier than I would like. If it falls through, it’s still early in the season, so we could find a new place, but I would be lying if I said my hopes weren’t pretty high. Wish us luck!
Until next time!
xx
EDIT: We got the apartment! I am so overjoyed I could pass out. (I did not pass out.) It all feels extra surreal because we aren’t taking the place until September. It’s going to be a long five months! I am so relieved I don’t have to worry about finding a place anymore. And now that it is ours I can wax poetic about how perfect it is. (I will spare you.) I am looking forward to figuring out how to decorate for what I’ve deemed my “big girl apartment.” Neil finds this a bit demeaning to the apartment. I am sorry apartment. I love you. You are beautiful. Thanks for sticking with me guys! ❤
alittlejstillz 