Well, here we go again: House Hunting in Jersey City 2.0. If I were looking for a rental, it'd be more like 5.0 but I'm back at the buyer's table, I hope.
From time to time, I'll update this space on the process, maybe put up a few pictures of the winners and losers I see. I have a little more than five months until my lease ends but I hope this process doesn't need five months to complete. I hope, by the time the evening of Dec. 31, 2011, rolls around, I'll be celebrating New Year's Eve in my new place and starting the new year with a private backyard for Jack and the cats, and me, to enjoy. How much is a Jacuzzi?
For the first entry, some notes on why I'm leaving a building I love that is home to great neighbors and friends. Well, contrary to the impression my FaceBook posts leave on the current machinations at the building, I've been considering it for some time. I actually started thinking seriously about it again when other residents said rents were going up 3%. I already pay a lot and don't see the value in throwing more money into the rental winds. The current drama pushed me over the edge, but let's hope not off a financial cliff! I haven't turned in my notice and won't until a deal is done. Who knows? I may be here another year after all.
So, I'm hitting the pavement. I started by downloading a few apps to the iPad that listed properties (really like Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com). I searched the Web. And I canvassed friends for recommendations for agents. I found a place on the Web that sounded very nice (two bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, private backyard) that is in my area and my price range so I sent the agent a note. Tonight, I'm seeing the place and four others. It's been described as needing some work so I'm bracing myself for the worst but quietly hoping for the best. It's always interesting to see how the reality of a property compares with its listing.
The last time I looked seriously was in the summer of 2008 when I returned from the Philippines. Such very expensive dogs they were. And, in my very limited price range, the areas up for grabs were well out there. You could forget about even looking to buy in Downtown Jersey City. Three years later, and I'm hoping the market has come at least somewhat to its senses.
Some notes: The agent couldn't show me the place last week because she was too busy with closings. I'm not sure if this is a good sign for sellers or buyers. Both? Neither? The mortgage guy is running my numbers for preapproval. He said something interesting: We're still trying to give people too much money; we're just not lending to people with bad credit. He assured me he'd be trying to throw too much money at me and I assured him I'm quite conservative and would not be borrowing beyond what I see as my means.
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