I wrote a check for an apartment yesterday. It’s not ideal: the lease is only for six months because the owners of the building are trying to sell. Worst-case scenario, I have to move again in six months.
But on the bright side, it’s an almost new building a mere 50 feet from the bus stop to Microsoft, and it’s in the heart of Capitol Hill. In fact, except for hardwood floors and another hundred square feet, it’s exactly what I want in the location I want. I just don’t want to have to move in six months.
I rationalize the miserably short lease term as follows:
- They’ve failed to sell the property twice (fell through in escrow), so I probably won’t have to move in six months anyway.
- I don’t know the city well, so this gives me a chance to get a feel for things.
- I don’t have a car yet, so being on the same block as the express bus
to MSFT will be good until I figure that out in a month or three. - If they sell and convert to condos, I probably could buy in at a really low price–maybe even on a 2BR.
- If they sell and convert in less than six months, they’d probably be
quite happy to have me go month-to-month and leave early, meaning I’d have total
flexibility on finding exactly the right place the next time. And I’d be looking during the non-peak
season next time. - They probably won’t be able
to sell it in six months, but will keep trying, so I’ll be on a
month-to-month soon with that same great flexibility if I decide to
move or buy. - After next weekend, I’m
not in Seattle any weekend until mid-September. I shudder to think of
what I’d have to pay Aboda to keep renting the furnished place in Queen
Anne.
So, assuming the background check clears, I have a new home come early September.