Where do I begin to look?
While I cannot answer this question for you in regards to physical location…I can help you out virtually.
But first, here is friendly reminder to set min. and max. rents. Otherwise, I find I get distracted from the task at hand (AKA sticking to my budget)!
Below are the websites I used for my apartment hunting.
Nationwide
NYC-specific
Happy Hunting!
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy blog: XO, Bettie.)
Hello my name is Bettie and I’m a legal eagle.
Before I autograph any legal docs, I read it over very carefully, specifically for facts and figures. If there is anything I am not 100% sure about or happy with I make a note of it and follow up with the appropriate person. Once I have an answer to my question or the doc amended to reflect my concern, I am ready to autograph!
I used this method most recently for my lease this week. I’m sure I was one of the few to ever question the lease. But, I’m sure my neighbors will appreciate that I noticed the 80% carpet rule to diminish noise. I hope they read that part of the lease too!
I’ve learned it’s best to be in the know! Take your time with the legal docs, ladies!
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy blog: XO, Bettie.)
Please, watch Don Draper fixing a sink before reading further. Isn’t Don dreamy!?!
I don’t need a man to do much. But, plumbing is not on my resume. And that’s why roommate-less me rents.
(click on the bold-faced vocab word:))
Why I’m pro-renting. When the faucet leaks, I don’t pay for a plumber to fix it. I also don’t pay property taxes.
Now, why I will be pro-owning eventually…
A home is a good reason to save my pennies. A home and it’s mortgage will build equity over time. Mo money, mo value.
And 30 years (or less) after my mortgage begins, I won’t pay every month to have a roof over my head.
Dreamy—American Dreamy!
P.S. Thanks to the Council of Economic education, here is a very comprehensive overview of buying vs. renting.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy blog: XO, Bettie.)
When renting, this is the dude (or dudette) who owns the building. And is who is paid each month.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy vocab blog: XO, Bettie Vocab.)
I’m going to rent this for x years and promise to pay y every month. Read carefully and then give it my autograph.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy vocab blog: XO, Bettie Vocab.)
I love the change of scenery when I move my desk from one wall to the other. Semi-redecorating is my specialty. I don’t actually buy new pieces for my apartment, but I rearrange what I already have.
My favorite cosmo girl, Helen Gurley Brown, would approve. Here are her thoughts on apartments, from 1962’s Sex and the Single Girl. Oh so relevant to today.
Check, Check and check!
Thanks, Helen!
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy blog: XO, Bettie.)
Don’t own. I pay someone else for the chance to live in their place.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy vocab blog: XO, Bettie Vocab.)
$$ I pay to my landlord each month.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy vocab blog: XO, Bettie Vocab.)
Keeps my goodies in my apartment safe. If something bad happens, the insurance company will replace my goodies for no extra charge (on top of my insurance payments).
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy vocab blog: XO, Bettie Vocab.)
