Gianna Licari has an epic Barbie assortment and loves every thing pink, however she’s robust on the subject of 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 at all times needed to observe in his footsteps working in authorities,” Ms. Licari mentioned.
At first, she labored remotely from her mother and father’ Chicago residence to save cash. “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, although she didn’t know anybody within the Washington, D.C., space. Her first precedence: determining how she might purchase a spot somewhat than overpay for an area rental. She set her funds at $300,000, however was primarily centered on holding month-to-month funds below $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 automotive, transportation choices and walkability have been necessary. She seemed for listings inside a 10-minute stroll of Metro stations all through the area.
“To seek out one thing I might afford, I seemed farther and farther away from the town in Maryland and Virginia,” she mentioned. “I didn’t love the thought of an hourlong commute, however I additionally was decided to purchase somewhat 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 mother and father for assist with the down cost.
“Gianna appeared like a chief candidate for first-time residence 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 residence purchaser help. The revenue limits are larger than they notice.”
Ultimately, the search got here down to 3 condos.
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