Went to see a house today. A flat. I liked it. It’s enough for me. Though it’s not even a bhk, it’s a bk or an hk depending on what you call the main area. A room, a bathroom, a kitchen. And a balcony. I love balconies. That’s the main reason I liked it, that’s what differentiates it from where I currently live. Wish it had a natural view but I like seeing activities on street too. The nearby area has plenty of natural view, probably because it’s near to railway line. Anybody knows how’s sound of train 200 meter away from it?
Anything bigger is twice the price. I would’ve preferred a house with land that I can alter as per my wish but the broker nearly laughed when he heard my preference and my budget in same sentence. Plus I don’t want to become broke if some scam happens as it’s my first time. I don’t know procedures. I hate paperwork. I absolutely despise having to obtain documents from government officials with bellies sitting lazily on their chair with back stretched and looking at you with dispassionate and judgy eyes. I don’t even know where I’m gonna get a witness that’s required from my side for registry. I don’t know anyone here. Hope my landlord becomes kind enough to be one as only he knows me, although he can also become sabotager as after this I will move out from his house and he will stop getting money from me.
Should I do this? This essentially marks my cutting from my family. This is something permanent. I will have a home here. However small, it will be MINE. My family’s home will be 14 hour train ride away. That’s a big distance. I chose the big distance. I wanted to get as far away from them as the language barrier allowed. They don’t know yet. Don’t know how they will react if or when they know.
I will be fixed to a place after this. I like to visualise myself as wanderer but actually all I do is stay in my room all day except when I need to buy something. I don’t wanted to be fixed but practically it won’t really make a difference.
I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to own permanent kind of things. They burden you. They become your responsibility. So far the only major permanent kind of thing I have had was my laptop. No refrigerator, no washing machine, no furniture. Everything else is very much disposable. But I understand capitalism and I understand inflation. It’s thief. It’s meant to keep you on edge, never letting you have peace of mind that you have enough. And real estate is its favorite control tool. They will keep increasing rent. Food and clothes are rather cheap and stay cheap because hunger and nakedness are considered very bad things and failure of society and system, but homelessness is not.
3 comments
dude the description of the place sounds really nice, I also love balconies where you can see the bustle of activity from a safe distance. Keeps you plugged into the rhythm of humans, especially if you have no other interactions.
But that part about being rooted to 1 spot is scary for me too. tbh that’s the area where I constantly second guess myself. I also imagine myself to be a wanderer but the truth is I just stay in my self made prison.
One thing is for sure though: owning is financially much much MUCH smarter than renting. Even if it isn’t your dream pad, owning a place puts you on the winning side of the real estate market, assuming your property will appreciate like almost all properties do. I came close to owning my own place once, a microscopic little loft that had an amazing view of the city, but I wussed out. So I think you oughta go for it. Or keep searching, but plan to buy something soon.
As a homeowner, I can understand the apprehension. 14 years ago I bought the house I still live in. Well, actually I took out a mortgage, with my ex wife. I have never qualified to get her name off the mortgage, though I do keep it paid.
There are costs and benefits. For me I’m starting to feel stuck here. I can’t afford all the repairs the house needs. Also my entire life savings is wrapped up in the place, which has started to appreciate in value quite a lot lately.
Swinging over to benefits. I can have my dogs and cats, that’s the big thing where I live it’s hard to find a pet friendly place. I might not even be alive if not for them. I don’t have a landlord, a relationship I found exploitive when I did have it. I’m fairly well located, 5 minutes from the highway, 10 minute walk to the fastest bus line in the city (we don’t do trains, GOD I wish there were trains). Half mile to the nearest full service supermarket. 10 minute walk to basics, there’s a Mexican market and a dairy store that far away.
A mile to a huge bike trail network, that’s the thing I probably love most about it. My neighbors are kind and quiet. Neighbors are really important, because you’re kind of stuck with them.
Do your research on the value history of the property in question. If it doesn’t have anything too awful (flooding is the worst) and has gained value in the past, it probably will in the future.
Can’t advise too well on the family front. I’m too sick (or more accurately I’ve been too sick) to get away with dropping my family. A close friend of mine did it, and he’s still pretty messed up about it.
It’s a huge decision, and worth taking your time over.
Thank you for giving your experiences and advices.