Let the Condo Search Begin...................

Over the next few months I'll take the readers of DC This Week on a journey with me to hopefully own a new home. Or I'll take you through a journey where I realize I just wanna rent for the rest of my duration in DC. Thus far I have seen 15 great places, but I'm still searching for that perfect spot.

As a first-time buyer there is so much to learn, lots of stress, lots of financial management and lots and lots of traveling through the District and perhaps MD or VA to find that perfect spot.

I have huge doubts. Can I afford it? What is the best mortgage I can obtain for a secure homeownership future? What's up with these insane condo fees? Does it make sense for a 25 year old to buy a house on her own and leave a bit of that partying lifestyle behind - well I wouldn't really be leaving it behind just inviting it over. What if I lost my job? Do these stainless steal appliances come with? Does this come with parking? How far is the metro? Is there central air? What year was this building built? Will there be enough space in my closet for my clothes, jewelry and shoes?

In all seriousness though, being pre-approved has taken a bit of the stress away and for a few months now I have been thinking about this and planning and assuming all goes well and God thinks it's the right time, this time next year I'll be nice and snug in a new condo. There is hope out there for us buyers in DC who want to spend less than $200,000 and don't want to get robbed on the way home at night. It's a buyers market!

I have learned a lot of DC's housing market, different areas and what the heck these insanely high condo fees include. Sometimes, if you're lucky, your condo fee will include ALL utilities. But normally it just includes lawn maintenance, building management, master insurance policy should you decide to burn the ENTIRE building down, reserve funds, security, sewer, snow removal for that ONE time it snows during the year, trash removal and water.

So there is my lesson for the day......I'll take you through my journey - and in the end........ I'll let you know if it's time to buy or keep on giving my money to someone else every month.