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158313
I start my first year at DMU and i was wondering when to go out and look/buy an apartment. i would like to have about a month before clase starts so i can get myself unpacked and familiar with the area.
D
Dr_Feelgood
What are you looking for in a house/apartment. While 3000 Grand is nice b/c of the proximity, it has its own unique problems.
1) You are always "at school." I enjoyed leaving school and being in a nice quiet neighborhood.
2) You have a lot of other students. Which is nice if you'd like to meet people, but can also a . I was engaged and lived with a good friend first year, so it was not as big of a deal to me.
3) Do you have pets? I'm not sure if any of the apartments near school allow pets (some might allow cats)
Other issues to look at if you are looking to buy (which is what I did) what area will give you a good return/resale? What do you want out of a house? Do you want a condo or townhome? Do you want a place with or without HA fees? There are lots of homes for sale by other DMU students (including myself) which maybe nice b/c you might get a better deal. Also, they will be looking to close on a home around May or June; which sounds like your time line. The nice thing is with the big dip in interest rates today, you could get a great rate.
Feel free to PM me and I can chat with you more, or give you a few leads. If you want to buy my house, I give you a super deal 😀
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- Podiatry Student
Well, I am going to be at the 3000 grand too...just talked to someone in their office today and i guess i will be sending in my deposit soon because those apts are gone fast...
but i was only looking to get thre a week before orientation...considering i will be homesick the first couple days...it will give me sometime during the first week to continue settling in, unpack and all that good stuff...
but i was only looking to get thre a week before orientation...considering i will be homesick the first couple days...it will give me sometime during the first week to continue settling in, unpack and all that good stuff...
D
Dr_Feelgood
I'm not bagging you choice of 3000 Grand. One thing that occurs frequently is students living close to school in their first year and then moving in their second year. I'm sure it has to do with the cost of 3000 Grand and your comfort level expands.
thats my thoughts exactly feelgood.... i want to be real close to campus and students for at least my first year to not only get accustomed, but to meet people, etc, etc... after the first year, i may want to move a little farther off from campus, who knows.
not only that, but my parents are freaked out about me driving in ice/snow...we get that maybe 3 times a year in texas and theres not a sole driving in it at that time.....i got a crewcab truck 4x4, so just get some chains and load the back with wood or soil???
not only that, but my parents are freaked out about me driving in ice/snow...we get that maybe 3 times a year in texas and theres not a sole driving in it at that time.....i got a crewcab truck 4x4, so just get some chains and load the back with wood or soil???
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- Podiatry Student
What are you guys getting?? 1 bedroom or studio? I can't decide...
The price isn't much diff...but it would be slightly cheaper to have a studio...
and what's lame is that only the 2+ bdrm apts face towards downtown...so i guess i'll have the school to look at from my windows 🙁 not downtown
The price isn't much diff...but it would be slightly cheaper to have a studio...
and what's lame is that only the 2+ bdrm apts face towards downtown...so i guess i'll have the school to look at from my windows 🙁 not downtown
i actually started talkin to another poster on here through PM, then aim.. we decided to go ahead and get a 2 bedroom since it will be quite a bit cheaper...also lookin forward to havin someone to study with, etc. i know they do a roommate matching program as well that you might wanna check out.
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158313
I have thought about the house idea but iam not sure, because during our fourth year arent we all over the place doing externships, because if thats the case no one will be there to take care of it. Also ihave kid and a girlfriend to consider, so i will be needing a two bedroom. i graduate in may, so should i go out then and look and buy, or should i go out earlier and look and put down a deposit?
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IMO, I would rent at least your first year. You can get a good feel of the area and decide which area you like best without being stuck in some place that you don't like. Plus, I think it might help to talk to other students once you get there before deciding to buy. There are also usually a few students graduating who are looking to sell. Good Luck! 
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yeah, I was wondering where I could access the roomate wanted and such info...
i don't know about buying a house though...from what Meghan said, it didn't seem like a good idea...🙁
i don't know about buying a house though...from what Meghan said, it didn't seem like a good idea...🙁
D
Dr_Feelgood
IMO, I would rent at least your first year. You can get a good feel of the area and decide which area you like best without being stuck in some place that you don't like. Plus, I think it might help to talk to other students once you get there before deciding to buy. There are also usually a few students graduating who are looking to sell. Good Luck!
I wish I would have purchased before my first year instead of after for a few reasons. One, every month you rent, you don't build any assets. Every year you rent you give away about $10, 000. While most of your early house payments go to paying interest, you are still building credit and your home will be increasing in value. Two, I didn't know the area I purchased more or less after my first year. I knew where I rented my house i.e. WDM and that was it. I purchased a home in a surburb I had never been to. Heck, I had to google map everything.
I do again that you should talk to other students. I would suggest buying from other students. You help out a fellow student, and my guess is you'll get a much better deal. Also the timing is great; a graduating student is looking to move out as a new student is looking to move in.
D
Dr_Feelgood
I understand completely. When I started school I had a fiance and a roommate. I know that sounds weird. We looked at a lot of apartments and rented a townhome. After the 1st year, my fiance and I bought a townhome. The cost of owning was not much more than the cost of renting.
In the fourth year, you are out and about. What my wife and I did was:
1) I rotated around the country the first 4 months
2) I did my core rotation at BMC in Des Moines the next 4 months
3) I am rotating around DM for the last 4 months.
So I was away from my family for 4 months and they were able to stay in DM at our home.
As for when you should look at housing, I would suggest looking at houses that students are selling. Why I say that is your more likely to get a really good deal. The timing you moving in and them moving out is perfect.
