After checking out the studio once inhabited by gremlins from hell, I happened to stumble across another apartment listing while surfing online, this one in a co-op that was literally next to work. The grounds were gorgeous and I had been interested in living there for a while, but since the apartments had long been converted into co-ops there was no point in looking further… until I saw that listing. The owner was offering a unit to rent with an option to buy, so I emailed the realtor and surprisingly got a call only minutes later. They were having an open house that day, so I got to see the apartment only a few hours after I sent the email. Awesome.
It was weird that I would end up looking at two most ideal apartment buildings I had been considering for years, all on the same day. I met up with the realtor after a quick trip to the grounds and we took a look inside. The current occupants hadn’t moved out so I got to see how it would look completely furnished. Weirdly enough, for a one bedroom it actually felt cramped, as opposed to the airy studio I had just seen before. It was clean and carpeted though, but still, there were some areas that were rusting and painted over. No washer/dryer hookup either, and for this they were valuing the unit at over $262,000. Dude, please, it was next to a train station for crying out loud. It’s nice, but it ain’t THAT nice.
I knew what was going on though. The owner didn’t really want to rent it, he wanted to sell it, but was having trouble finding buyers. So I’d be the guy who’d fill the apartment for the time being until the owner finally found someone stupid enough to buy, then my righteous bon-bons would be tossed outta there faster than you can say pizza delivery. The only way to head that off was to take the option to buy, but for that price I’d never consider it. I wouldn’t even have my own parking space, much less a garage, which I’d have to put on a waiting list for. I also had to fill out an application and be interviewed and approved by the co-op board before I could officially move in.
I thanked the realtor for her time and said if I was interested I’d contact her.
The next day I got an email from her to let me know the apartment had been taken, for which she apologized but said that these apartments do tend to go very fast.
You get the feeling I’m being snowed by a lot of folks these days? Was not any potential renter subject to board approval before he could dive into his new digs? So… what… they found another renter, checked his credit and got him board approved five minutes after I left? Really?
Well you know, that’s it for me. Totally done with apartment hunting now. I actually didn’t have the money to move yet, but since these two happened to be apartments I’ve been looking at since forevers, it was nice to finally get some major questions about them all answered on the same day and move on. Now I can focus on saving my money instead, and when I have enough to pay down a deposit and a broker’s fee, then I can start looking hardcore until I find a castle worthy of my sound mind and well sculptured presence.
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Welcome to the world of apartment hunting as a young male. From my own experience I can tell you a few things from your story.
1- The price they quoted was a lie. A young, single male looking to rent is looked on by many landlords to be a bad risk. They were doing all they could to discourage you.
2- The approval process probably was crap too. Again, you are not considered a good rent risk.
Are you seeing these places by yourself? If you are, I would suggest getting one (or both, if possible) of your parents to come along. Don’t tell the realtor who they are or why they are along unless they ask. If you are communicating via e-mail, they could very well assume that your parents are the rentors. You will be less likely to be jerked around that way. If your parents are not available, any older relative will do.
I can understand your allergy issues. I have several allergy problems myself. Still, you may want to lower your standards a little bit. You already said that this first place will not be a place you are looking to live in for the next 30 years, so take what you can get. It could be a lot worse. I lived at one time in a upper/lower duplex were we had no control over the heat. Thankfully the couple in the lower were really nice about it. We also had no access to the basement, so in the event of severe weather (fairly common here in WI) we had to find a public place that had a shelter.
One other piece of advice. You seem to be doing a lot of dealing with realtors, so if you find a place you do like, see if you can talk to the super. The best place will become a nightmare if you can’t get anything fixed.
My parents didn’t have time for the last few, but once I do apartment hunting for real I’ll probably bring them along.
Before living here, I stayed in one place for 6 years, and currently going on 4 years where I’m living now. That’s a lot of time to be living in a craphole of a dump apartment. Wherever I end up I want it to be nice, clean, quiet and decent enough to live in, as the next time I move could be to a house altogether, which might not happen for a lot of years. Who knows.
You’ve been featured on BlogsWeLuv, Linc! :)
http://blogsweluv.com/2009/07/17/the-friday-five-volume-10/
I wubs you!!!!
Reading these posts about your quest for new living quarters makes me appreciate the small town life. I can’t even begin to imagine how frustrated I would be living in a big city. Scary.
I wish I could have the small town life too. Preferably one with an all females population where everyone is single and under 30. Should make finding the girl of my dreams much easier then. :-D