Like vs. Loving your apartment

If it works for you and you can change it to your liking, I would definitely go for it. You will love putting your own stamp on the place. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Depends on your price range - the higher the range, the more opportunity I think you will have. Do you think you will find another place for the right price that meets your needs for size, location and price? Lots of people do not get to say they got all three. We gave on location to get size and the right price, so all three seems like a good start. You can always decorate the place, but if the bones of the apt are not right and you know that, keep looking. Not a bad time to be looking, as it is not a frenzy like it was a few years ago - unless this apt is really priced low/reasonable for what it is. Good luck.

I would hold off - I know exactly what you are talking about - while the apt. seems "just fine" there is that little voice inside that is saying "this is not the one". You get worn down after looking for a couple of months and you are trying to suppress that little voice with logic. But the reality is that a year from now, you will always feel the same way. I am in the same situation and have been looking now for 4 months - the pressure from my broker to make an offer doesn't help but I have held off. Keep looking! You will find the one you are looking for!! At manhattan prices we should really like what we purchase.

thank you, #4, for your moral support! you make an excellent point about needing to love what we buy at manhattan prices! good luck to us both!

I agree with #4. There should be a sense of "this is it!!!" that goes beyond an apartment simply meeting criteria.

I disagree with #4.

I think the crucial thing is that you get a unit with 'good bones.' That means all the amenities and basic, bottom line issues that you could reasonably expect to get in a unit, based on your budget.

If -

.the location of the building is as good as you could expect and afford
.the building itself is well run and maintained, and the finacials are in good order
.the unit has a reasonable amount of space for what you can afford
.the unit has a good workable layout
.the unit has good light and views (and you've checked lot line implications)
.there is good basic closet space
.the unit itself is in basic good repair and has been thoroughly reviewed by an inspector

then you should give it every serious consideration. Every other detail (kitchen layout, cabinets, and appliances, bathroom layout(s) and fixtures, floors, paint, decorative trims and moldings, and just about anything else) can be changed when you're ready to your liking. And you can live with it (it sounds like) in its basic bland 'beige' state until then.

Finding a unit that has every little amenity one desires at one's pricepoint is rare. Finding a unit that has 'good bones' and that has all the basic issues covered at your price point is essential and worth waiting for. Being able to differentiate between the two is crucial.

thanks for everyone's great advice. i will be more specific to further the conversation for any interested parties:

-the unit in question is slightly south of my ideal location -- not a huge deal, but i did want to be in closer proximity to the express subway line.
-the apartment is in good condition (new appliances), but as i said, quite generic. it's a decent size, but i'd prefer an alcove studio to a straight studio (though this unit has a dressing alcove).
-it's priced about 45-50K under what i've allocated, so i guess i could afford to try to find something "better", but i don't know if "better" exists (unless i paid more than 50K more).
-the building itself is great - condition-wise, finance-wise and basically everything else.

This is an interesting question. I recommend taking a look at a long post on http://sandymattingly.realtownblogs.com/the-process-buying-an-apartme/jaggers-law-of-imperfect-lofts-life-is-compromise-sigh/. I love this guy's blog -- very specific loft advice, so it might not be spot on for you, and he is dealing with a much higher price range than it sounds like you're in. But his basic point applies at all levels: there is no perfect place! We are in contract for a space that met many of our criteria but not all: different location we expected but one we are very happy with, with some great unforeseen benefits in terms of our commute (another top factor). Large space -- this was a top priority for us. With character. Good workable layout, but not perfect. Right in our price range. Good building / solid financials. But we compromised on the light/view question: back of building w/no views at all and good indirect light. For a lot of buyers this would have ruled it out, and it will probably always put a cap on resale $$$ even with any upgrades (kitchen, bath) we eventually plan to do. But we realized that we would have to make some compromises. I am very happy with the decision. Am I in love? Not yet (we have yet to close and only saw it twice, after all) but I think you really grow into a place and often come to love it.

There's a saying that might help - don't fall in love with a place until you buy it (close).

There's also a good article on www.trugotham.com about buyer's remorse...what happens when people move into a new place but it just doesn't feel 'right' and how they get over it, makes it home, then the love grows.

I faced the same dilemma. Found a great place that met my criteria (location, light, size). A week after moving in I really missed my old neighborhood but now that I'm settling in, painting and decorating I'm loving it.

Of course only you know. And if you have time and extra $$ to spend then maybe you should look a bit longer....hope this helps!

I think #7's post is right on. The one thing that concerns me is that you said you were too far away from the express line. If you need to 'commute' on that line, then be very sure you're OK with the distance. It's something you'll have to deal with everyday, twice a day, so really think about it.

Close your eyes and ask yourself, "Can I see myself living here?" It's really that simple. I've bought and sold several times and that's the advice I've given to my own children when they've bought!

#7 no one cares if you disagree with #4... and #11 no one cares if you think #7's post is "right on" what do you think this is!? a place where your allowed to express your opinions... umm noooo lol

I disagree with #13. LOL. Lighten up. It's a message board.

My 2 cents. My husband and I bought a house 7 years ago that I didn't love, but it met all the criteria and then some, it's a great house. We have invested $100,000 in landscaping, $30,000 in a new master bath, and I don't want to know how much on new carpeting, wallpaper, furnishings, gas fireplace, etc. etc. And I STILL don't love the house. So, when buying a pied-a-terre in Manhattan (we're in contract), I went for the apartment that whispered to me, "I'm the one for you, buy me." Because for me, no amount of decorating would make up for....for what?? That indescribable something that just feels right. Everyone else loves our house, but I wish I would have held out for something more my taste.

umm #14 i was obviously kidding you idiot... notice the lol in my statement

Like, umm, #16, umm, like, name calling is a serious sign of, umm, not having a good argument. LOL.

see what just happened here!! my comment was deleted! this is insanety!!!

#19: your comment was deleted because it was useless and profane, much like your usual drivel.

There is always a trade off no matter what your budget is. If the apt meets your criteria you can make it your own with personal effects and your personal style. The generic can actually be a positive on a resale since it is neutral and will appeal to more buyers rather than some one else's idea of what looks good. It sounds like you may be having a hard time taking the leap into ownership rather than looking for perfection.