Gianna Licari has an epic Barbie assortment and loves every thing pink, however she’s powerful relating to getting what she desires. The 23-year-old Chicago native graduated a 12 months early from the College of California, Los Angeles, then set her sights on shifting 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 dad and mom’ 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, despite the fact that she didn’t know anybody within the Washington, D.C., space. Her first precedence: determining how she may purchase a spot reasonably than overpay for an area rental. She set her funds at $300,000, however was primarily centered on conserving 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 Crew at eXp Realty in Arlington, Va. “Something yow will discover normally sells quick.”
Since Ms. Licari doesn’t personal a automotive, transportation choices and walkability had been vital. 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 concept of an hourlong commute, however I additionally was decided to purchase reasonably 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 dad and mom for assist with the down cost.
“Gianna appeared like a major 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 revenue limits are greater than they notice.”
In the long run, the search got here down to 3 condos.
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