Gianna Licari has an epic Barbie assortment and loves all the things pink, however she’s robust with regards to getting what she needs. The 23-year-old Chicago native graduated a 12 months early from the College of California, Los Angeles, then set her sights on transferring to the nation’s capital.
“My dad was a D.E.A. agent again within the Eighties, and I all the time wished to comply with in his footsteps working in authorities,” Ms. Licari stated.
At first, she labored remotely from her dad and mom’ Chicago residence to save cash. “I couldn’t kick down doorways,” she stated, “however my first job was within the F.D.A.’s Workplace of Ethics and Integrity.”
In July 2023, she was excited to maneuver east for a brand new job with the federal government, though she didn’t know anybody within the Washington, D.C., space. Her first precedence: determining how she may purchase a spot relatively than overpay for a neighborhood rental. She set her finances at $300,000, however was primarily centered on preserving month-to-month funds below $2,500.
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“Stock for something in that value vary was actually low within the fall of 2023, and it’s nonetheless low,” stated Chris Kuchnicki, an agent with the Keri Shull Workforce at eXp Realty in Arlington, Va. “Something you could find often sells quick.”
Since Ms. Licari doesn’t personal a automobile, transportation choices and walkability have been necessary. She appeared for listings inside a 10-minute stroll of Metro stations all through the area.
“To search out one thing I may afford, I appeared farther and farther away from town in Maryland and Virginia,” she stated. “I didn’t love the thought of an hourlong commute, however I additionally was decided to purchase relatively than waste cash on lease.”
She deliberate to make use of her financial savings and her wage to finance a purchase order, and didn’t wish to ask her dad and mom for assist with the down fee.
“Gianna appeared like a major candidate for first-time residence purchaser help packages, so I had her ship her paperwork to a lender certified with these packages,” Mr. Kuchnicki stated. “Lots of people aren’t conscious that they will qualify for residence purchaser help. The earnings limits are larger than they notice.”
Ultimately, the search got here down to 3 condos.
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