Gianna Licari has an epic Barbie assortment and loves all the things pink, however she’s powerful with regards to getting what she desires. The 23-year-old Chicago native graduated a yr early from the College of California, Los Angeles, then set her sights on transferring to the nation’s capital.
“My dad was a D.E.A. agent again within the Nineteen Eighties, and I all the time wished to observe in his footsteps working in authorities,” Ms. Licari mentioned.
At first, she labored remotely from her dad and mom’ Chicago dwelling to economize. “I couldn’t kick down doorways,” she mentioned, “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, though she didn’t know anybody within the Washington, D.C., space. Her first precedence: determining how she might purchase a spot slightly than overpay for an area rental. She set her funds at $300,000, however was primarily centered on retaining 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,” mentioned Chris Kuchnicki, an agent with the Keri Shull Staff at eXp Realty in Arlington, Va. “Something you will discover normally sells quick.”
Since Ms. Licari doesn’t personal a automobile, transportation choices and walkability have been necessary. She appeared for listings inside a 10-minute stroll of Metro stations all through the area.
“To seek out one thing I might afford, I appeared farther and farther away from town in Maryland and Virginia,” she mentioned. “I didn’t love the concept of an hourlong commute, however I additionally was decided to purchase slightly than waste cash on lease.”
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 primary candidate for first-time dwelling purchaser help packages, so I had her ship her paperwork to a lender certified with these packages,” Mr. Kuchnicki mentioned. “Lots of people aren’t conscious that they will qualify for dwelling purchaser help. The earnings limits are greater than they understand.”
Ultimately, the search got here down to 3 condos.
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