Gianna Licari has an epic Barbie assortment and loves every little thing pink, however she’s robust in relation to getting what she desires. The 23-year-old Chicago native graduated a yr 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 Nineteen Eighties, and I all the time needed to observe in his footsteps working in authorities,” Ms. Licari stated.
At first, she labored remotely from her mother and father’ Chicago dwelling to economize. “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 might purchase a spot fairly than overpay for an area rental. She set her finances at $300,000, however was primarily targeted on preserving month-to-month funds underneath $2,500.
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“Stock for something in that worth 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 automotive, transportation choices and walkability have been vital. She appeared for listings inside a 10-minute stroll of Metro stations all through the area.
“To search out one thing I might afford, I appeared farther and farther away from the town in Maryland and Virginia,” she stated. “I didn’t love the thought of an hourlong commute, however I additionally was decided to purchase fairly than waste cash on hire.”
She deliberate to make use of her financial savings and her wage to finance a purchase order, and didn’t wish to ask her mother and father for assist with the down fee.
“Gianna appeared like a chief candidate for first-time dwelling 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 dwelling purchaser help. The earnings limits are increased than they notice.”
Ultimately, the search got here down to 3 condos.
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