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Generally, how far in advance do most of you start looking for a new place before a move?
I've moved around this area 5 times and every time was a race against time to find something before my current lease is up and get moved out in time. Not to mention address changes for mail, and other things you always forget about.
I've realized I need to start looking earlier. I plan to move again this spring and I'm considering moving into my new place one month before my current lease ends to ensure a smoother move and that all my mail is going to the right address. Mail has been an issue for me with every move.
When would you start looking if you knew you wanted to be moved in by late April? I just want to get a feel for what most people do.
I've always started looking 45-60 days before. Many places require 60 days notice. On the flipside, that means many places know they will have units open 60 days in advance. I moved from out of state at the end of August. I came down the first week in July to look.
Generally, how far in advance do most of you start looking for a new place before a move?
I've moved around this area 5 times and every time was a race against time to find something before my current lease is up and get moved out in time. Not to mention address changes for mail, and other things you always forget about.
I've realized I need to start looking earlier. I plan to move again this spring and I'm considering moving into my new place one month before my current lease ends to ensure a smoother move and that all my mail is going to the right address. Mail has been an issue for me with every move.
When would you start looking if you knew you wanted to be moved in by late April? I just want to get a feel for what most people do.
Why are you moving to often. Moving is stressful, expensive, time and energy consuming. Unless you got a crazy neighbor, why move?
I start several years in advance, but that's due to very specific requirements we have. It's pretty hard to find a place that meets the requirements. One of the requirements, good schools, will soon no longer be an issue. That will make it slightly easier. We have moved 4 times over 18 years, and anticipate moving at least once more in 2017. I'm just beginning the search now for that move.
Why are you moving to often. Moving is stressful, expensive, time and energy consuming. Unless you got a crazy neighbor, why move?
I agree.
Ultimately it comes down to convenience and roommates. I changed jobs a few times and I like to live close to work to eliminate long commutes. Then I had roommates moving to different cities or moving in with girlfriends, etc.
This time I'll be living alone and moving downtown to be more central. So that should eliminate both problems.
Ultimately it comes down to convenience and roommates. I changed jobs a few times and I like to live close to work to eliminate long commutes. Then I had roommates moving to different cities or moving in with girlfriends, etc.
This time I'll be living alone and moving downtown to be more central. So that should eliminate both problems.
Have you thought about buying? It might cost less.
Have you thought about buying? It might cost less.
Yes and no.
For a place to live, absolutely not. Most people think its an "investment" but its really just a liability. On the other hand, I am planning to buy an "investment property" that I rent out soon. But only if I can charge higher rent than the cost of the mortgage. Otherwise buying makes no sense to me unless I buy cash.
A true investment puts money in your pocket. Most people don't profit from buying homes to live in because interest, repairs, fees, etc. steal all the profits they would get from equity.
A true investment puts money in your pocket. Most people don't profit from buying homes to live in because interest, repairs, fees, etc. steal all the profits they would get from equity.
In my case, I do put money in my pocket:
Monthly Mortgage Payment (including all insurance and property tax) is less than rent. I get more space buying. Not only am I paying less monthly, part of my monthly mortgage payment goes into equity, and I get income tax savings at the end of the year (not much, but four figure).
Monthly Mortgage Payment (including all insurance and property tax) is less than rent. I get more space buying. Not only am I paying less monthly, part of my monthly mortgage payment goes into equity, and I get income tax savings at the end of the year (not much, but four figure).
Good stuff. And those are all valid points. One huge advantage of buying is the fixed monthly payments that don't rise.
For me, when I pay rent, what I'm really paying for is freedom and less hassle. Heater breaks? Boiler breaks? Time to replace the oven? Need a new air conditioning unit? Need a new roof? New refrigerator? Water damage? Termites? Need new paint? Snow on the sidewalk? None of those things are my problem because I don't own the thing. And fixing those things won't come out of my pocket. Want to move to a new city? Easy as pie. Just get up and leave. Can't do that when you own.
Which is why I would only buy to live in a place if I could pay cash or at least pay off 50% of the cost of the property cash, making my monthly payments low and leaving lots of extra money for all these repair issues that can (and will) come up. Ultimately, you make more money with an investment property than with one you live in. Maintenance and repairs is an expense a lot of people overlook when they buy.
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