Tuesday, June 19, 2012

home hunting

David and i have been looking for a love nest on and off for a year. last week we decided to go full throttle and finally get us a home. the challenge...we live in NYC! how to afford!!! well we've been saving week-after-week, month-after-month and finally have enough for a down payment!!!! the only thing left...what's available in our budget? on father's day we found our dream home out in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and we're Harlemites! the apartments were gorgeous! indoor pool, gym, spacious living space, all new amenities, the works! however walking from the train to the apartment i questioned my safety at night. so we went on a midnight car ride last night to peep the hood and let me tell you! it was damn scary!!! i'm not sure what's more scary, the unfamiliarity of the neighbourhood and/or it being secluded and too damn quiet...but damn! it's like finding a diamond and tossing it back. or not...do we buy and invest knowing the neighbourhood should be popping in like 5-10 years? which means having my body guard pick me up at night until i'm familiar and feel comfortable enough to walk by myself OR keep looking...there are of course sacrifices that must be made, but what are we willing to sacrifice? i was talking to a familiar dog owner here in Harlem and he was saying how much these neighbourhoods have transform over the years. how these boarded up brownstones which either sold for $1 or were abandoned are now worth millions. the people that were able to see past the "ghettoness" of this hood are now reaping the rewards. do we brave it, take a risk in buying this property or wait for hopefully another opportunity? what am i willing to sacrifice? i definitely am not trying to buy a shoe box in Williamsburg but the alternative? ARGH!!! anyways! RENT SUCKS PEEPS!!! save your funds! buy a home! what we pay on rent is such a waste! no tax credits! no investments! just straight leeching!
$1,000/month on rent for 1 year = $12,000
$12,000 x 5 years = $60,000!!!!
that's a 20% down payment on a $300,000 home! WTH?!!!
it looks exactly like these!
but in the hood!
joking! 
in any event, you'll soon be getting a glimpse into the new crib and watch me create magic :)



5 comments:

Maya And Jamila- The Double Life said...

House hunting can be very difficult! I SO feel you, paying rent is for the birds, we waste thousands and thousands of dollars every year just to have noisy neighbors and no real freedom. I live in Atlanta, the dilemma in house hunting always comes down to location. In order to have your dream home at an affordable price you pretty much HAVE to move to the burbs. (No Bueno)
but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! We all take risks with any big purchase we make. No matter where you go u will have to make some adjustments. I say pray about it, but keep looking... God will guide you and your Hubs to the perfect home! ;-)
-Jamila #Doublelife

Maya And Jamila- The Double Life said...

House hunting can be very difficult! I SO feel you, paying rent is for the birds, we waste thousands and thousands of dollars every year just to have noisy neighbors and no real freedom. I live in Atlanta, the dilemma in house hunting always comes down to location. In order to have your dream home at an affordable price you pretty much HAVE to move to the burbs. (No Bueno)
but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! We all take risks with any big purchase we make. No matter where you go u will have to make some adjustments. I say pray about it, but keep looking... God will guide you and your Hubs to the perfect home! ;-)
-Jamila #Doublelife

maya said...

thanks @Maya and Jamila!!! I'll continue to pray :)

Unknown said...

some things you just shouldnt scarfice, I personally believe saftey is one of them. Good luck!

Claudia Inoa said...

Hello , I am a realeste agent at Coldwell banker ! I am excited to see that you are searching for a home. I know I could help find you exactly what you need! Location is a very important factor ! LOCATION, LOCATION , LOCATION ! You are looking to buy a HOME ! Not just a place to "crash" in for the meanwhile. So you need place and area that will make you feel comfortable and safe.

If your interested I have sent you my link below. And we can get started ASAP!