Post: #26

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Post: #27

^^ true. For a $3000 apartment you would need $3k for first month, $3k for last month, $3-6k for deposit, plus $3-$5k for broker fee. That's minimum $12k if going in by yourself. Most of that money comes back, except for the broker fee. No interest though(or something close to $0 for deposit).

Post: #28

Another option is to just go into an established roommate situation, just pay 1st month rent and deposit to move in.

There are 2-5br apts in great downtown locations for <$1500 for a room. Might not get your own bathroom and you might have to deal with roommate drama and messiness, but no shame in a roommate situation. If you choose right you get some new friends.

You'll be in a WAY better position to pull with great logistics, even with roommates, over having your own spot but being far from the action.

Post: #29

(01-15-2015 09:46 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  

(01-15-2015 02:04 AM)BadgerHut Wrote:  $1400 down there, really? All the chatter I'm hearing IRL (without having scouted any apts) is that I'm looking at $3-4k...

To get into a lot of buildings, you need 1st months rent, last month's rent, security deposit, and a broker's fee. So even if the rent is unbelievably 1,400 for a cramped studio in a good hood, a lot of landlords want you to come with serious chedda right out the gate.

It was quite a shock from everyplace else i've lived, where 50 bucks for a background check, 200 for a security deposit, and 1st months rent was all you needed.

WIA

Haha, that's because those landlords learned the trick I always used: pay for your last month's rent with your security deposit! Damn, too bad my trick's been discovered!