Diary of a First-Time Buyer: 13 lessons learned after 60+ apartments

… HenriEnrique lost me as a customer when he called at 1030 on a Sunday night demanding I make an offer or lose the … knowing that I could not only afford my mortgage and current maintenance but also having enough money left over … finding my home And that showed  Elle Bee is a lifelong renter currently in the process of buying a Brooklyn …

By Elle Bee |August 5, 2013 - 9:57AM
Closing time: On June 27, 2013, I finally became a co-op owner

… are a few dates in my life that Ill always remember Oct 2 1987 when I quit smoking Dec 16 1997 the day I met a boy I … official documents identify me as Elena the name my parents gave me  It never occurred to me as my entire credit … to know   Next up Lessons learned Elle Bee is a lifelong renter currently in the process of buying a Brooklyn …

By Elle Bee |July 15, 2013 - 12:34PM
My co-op board interview: Sometimes you need to leave the Marc Jacobs bag at home

… of the basement board meeting at Kingsview seven months ago 11 grim faces around a table and illuminated by a flickering … I felt a wave of relief that my own piano wouldnt be a deterrent Downstairs we met Carla another board member And that … capital improvement from the past 20 years It was so different from my interview at Kingsview where every question …

By Elle Bee |June 17, 2013 - 10:22AM
Another co-op board package, and a commitment letter countdown

… we type it Type  Who had a working typewriter My circa 1962 Royal was definitely not up to the task I decided to … statements demonstration of income 12 months of cancelled rent checks I provided six letters of employment … Next up Coop board hell redux Elle Bee is a lifelong renter currently in the process of buying a Brooklyn …

By Elle Bee |May 29, 2013 - 8:58AM
The two most beautiful words a mortgage applicant can hear

… taken out no new credit or ever had a late payment   Apparently none of that mattered We can get you a better loan … Then he dropped the news I dreaded Youll have to get your 2012 taxes in on time he said It was March 26 and I had … chips Next up Closing in on the deal Elle Bee is a lifelong renter currently in the process of buying a Brooklyn …

By Elle Bee |May 6, 2013 - 1:42PM
Hell is applying for a mortgage...as a self-employed writer

… after three days of searching and looking at fewer than 10 apartments was not tempered by writing a big check 10 … phone Next up Master of my domain Elle Bee is a lifelong renter currently in the process of buying a Brooklyn apartment …

By Elle Bee |April 22, 2013 - 11:41AM
Elle makes a deal

… that Sidney my broker suggested we return to the West 181 st street area aka Hudson Heights I had liked the … where often I felt like I saw the same faces just different apartments The first thing that struck me about No 35 a … Next up Back in the numbers game Elle Bee is a lifelong renter determined to buy an apartment in NYC She is …

By Elle Bee |April 8, 2013 - 2:10PM
With Brooklyn behind me, I head toward Hudson Heights

… meant minimizing my deductionsa business decision that in 2011 cost me an extra $12000 and nearly sent my teethgritting … up Second date in Hudson Heights Elle Bee is a lifelong renter determined to buy an apartment in NYC  She is … the rookies … Buy … Non-Traditional Buyers … Sales Market … Rent … The Market … Diary of a First-Time Buyer … buying … …

By Elle Bee |March 25, 2013 - 10:42AM
To pick up the pieces, shut off your Trulia alerts and go on the rebound

… up for a new round of open houses  Elle Bee is a lifelong renter determined to buy an apartment in NYC  She is … posts How to Buy a NYC apartment What I learned from 150 apartments before I finally bought one Beyond the board … + Financing … Sales Market … Live … Neighborhood Intel … Rent … The Market … Diary of a First-Time Buyer … Brooklyn … …

By Elle Bee |February 25, 2013 - 3:03PM