Apartment Hunting :(

Apartment hunting is becoming increasingly frustrating.  It’s exciting but at the same time frightening. I tend to move every year because I get bored easily – but I’m looking for a place I can stay in for a while. I’m tired of moving.  I have the tendancy to start early – finding some decent places, but realize that I’d have to pay two rents for a month or two…which immediately puts a sour taste in my mouth. Everyone tells me to wait to look – so I do – and then I have less than 3 weeks to find a place to live. THIS IS WHEN PANIC SETS IN! I have appointments to see 3 places this week, we’ll see how that goes.

I’ve been told I want too many things.  What can I say? I’m picky about where I call home.

Things I want (in order of importance):

• 1 bedroom for $800 or less/mo. or 2 bedroom for $950 or less/mo.  (If I find something that has everything I want – I’m willing to pay for it, these are just guidelines)
• Natural light! (this is big – one of the main reasons I’m not staying in my current apt is that I feel like I’m in a damn dungeon all the time – depressing!)
• Some sort of outdoor space – I want to at least have room for a few planters, window boxes, etc. A deck or patio would be ideal. An actual back yard would be even better.
• Preferably a townhouse or an apartment in a townhouse. Shying away from complexes if I can. Also, not too excited about going through a property management co. I’ve heard some horrible things.
• Decent sized kitchen. I’ve been living with this tiny closet of a kitchen for too long – Something with some counter space and decent appliances.
• Washer and dryer in unit (I can LIVE with one in the building, but I’d rather have my own).
• Dishwasher (again, could live without, but to prevent any future incidents with wine glasses, I’d prefer one).
• Hardwood floors in the living room (carpet is fine in the bedroom)
• In the neighborhoods of Hampden, Mount Washington, Roland Park, Waverly, Ellicott City, or Hamilton.  I know I’m pushing finding a decent place in Fells Point or Canton for this price, but I’d consider those areas too. If a great apartment jumped out at me in upper Charles Village, I’d take it.  Parking in CV has gotten increasingly more terrible & my car is pretty banged up as a consequence. I know, that’s typical city parking- but I have this weird thing with parking that I won’t go into. So – an off street parking space would inevitably ease my woes, but I know those are hard to come by.

With the housing market the way it is, my Dad keeps pushing me to buy – but I honestly don’t think I’m ready for something like that. I told him if he bought, I’d rent from him and eventually he could sell it to me – but I don’t think he’ll bite on that one.  The only thing I could realistically afford right now is a condo and I’m not sure about the resale potential.  I have it engrained in my head that if it doesn’t have 3 bedrooms – you won’t get shit for it when you go to sell.  Any real estate agents reading this want to weigh in?!