I'm 20 years old and my boyfriend and I are starting to look for apartments. We currently live in the kingstowne/van dorn area with my parents. We want to get out of this particular area but not go to far. Maybe a 20-25 minute range from here. We've looked online at apartments and have gone to look at some in person but it seems to always have a problem with it. My main question is, Does anybody know real good websites to look at? Or, if they know a certain area where there are nice apartments. Also, do you think it will be hard for us to get an apartment because were so young? He's 18 almost 19 and I'll be 20 this month. Can I get some good advice please it'll be greatly appreciated! =)

Think about this how far can you travel in 25min around here?? My guestimate is about 1mile.

Your best bet is to find a rental in a condo building.

Large apartment buildings use 3rd party services to qualify applicants. The landlords send the criteria requirements or standards to the 3rd party, who assigns values to that criteria. A score is produced and the applicant is approval is based on how they scored.

Good chance you wont score high enough to meet the minimum qualifications of any of the Class A complexes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/2012 01:02PM by Hay Zeus.

Been there, done that. Best way for me was to just keep stopping by and talking to the rental clerk/managers. Online can only tell so much. Also, it pays to drive through the parking lots of potential places at night so you can see what to expect in regards to what you'll be dealing with when most people are home. Are there
trashy looking people and cars around? Also like to talk to some folks who already live there and get their opinion. You might to have someone over 21 sign for you in some cases. Good luck.

Homey Wrote:
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> Been there, done that. Best way for me was to just
> keep stopping by and talking to the rental
> clerk/managers. Online can only tell so much.
> Also, it pays to drive through the parking lots of
> potential places at night so you can see what to
> expect in regards to what you'll be dealing with
> when most people are home. Are there
> trashy looking people and cars around? Also like
> to talk to some folks who already live there and
> get their opinion. You might to have someone over
> 21 sign for you in some cases. Good luck.

Yea that is a good idea to drive by at night, I never thought about that. We had one place were we were looking and almost signed with them but they refused to sign us b/c of our credit and wouldn't accept a co-signer. It seems to be a lot of places don't accept them anymore. One question though, do you think it'd be difficult b/c of our credit? We both have credit, but very little.

Just go ahead and pump out a couple of kids and get your EBT and Sect 8 housing like everyone else. Won't find a better deal anywhere.

EBT Baby! Wrote:
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> Just go ahead and pump out a couple of kids and
> get your EBT and Sect 8 housing like everyone
> else. Won't find a better deal anywhere.


Your ignorant.

It should be "You're ignorant"

BEH Wrote:
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> It should be "You're ignorant"


Kind of ironic huh? lol

It's the black calling the kettle pot!

BEH Wrote:
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> It should be "You're ignorant"


Was anybody talking to you? I don't think so.

All I want is to gain some good advice from people on here. I really don't want anybody to fight so please guys do it on another thread please!

We're not fighting!

Are we?

EBT Baby! Wrote:
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> Just go ahead and pump out a couple of kids and
> get your EBT and Sect 8 housing like everyone
> else. Won't find a better deal anywhere.

Only so many units are reserved for "section 8" applicants and believe me that demand exceeds supply.

Qualifying for renting an apartment will depend on credit score and maybe a background check. You both are young so I even if you don’t have any negative credit history, you might not have much credit history at all.

Do you or your boyfriend have anything in your own names such as a cell phone, gas card, Nordstrom’s charge card? Basically you’ll probably need to have some type of credit history to qualify. You will likely need to put down a security deposit for them to hold, which usually amounts to 1 or 2 month’s rent.
http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Virginia/Fairfax/

Check sites like Craig's list for basements that can be rented from homeowners.
Quite a few avaiable with the economy.

+1 for Craig's List, I used it to rent out a room in my house at one point and it worked out great. This is a good time of year, as some tenants are moving out of existing rentals, and some people are reviewing their finances for the rest of the year and may be deciding to take on a renter.

Make sure you have enough saved up. Moving into your first apartment can be a lot more expensive than most people expect.

TheNorthman Wrote:
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> Qualifying for renting an apartment will depend on
> credit score and maybe a background check. You
> both are young so I even if you don’t have any
> negative credit history, you might not have much
> credit history at all.
>
> Do you or your boyfriend have anything in your own
> names such as a cell phone, gas card,
> Nordstrom’s charge card? Basically you’ll
> probably need to have some type of credit history
> to qualify. You will likely need to put down a
> security deposit for them to hold, which usually
> amounts to 1 or 2 month’s rent.
> http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Virginia/
> Fairfax/


We both have little credit history and that's part of my concern if we would still get accepted. He has a phone bill and a credit card with some website hbc or something. He has a bank card that he uses for a debit card, I'm not sure if that means anything? I only have a target charge card which I use everywhere. We are willing to offer the maximum security deposit, does that help at all?

Free advice Wrote:
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> Check sites like Craig's list for basements that
> can be rented from homeowners.
> Quite a few avaiable with the economy.


Three of the place we looked were basements of big houses. The problem with that is a close family friend of mine moved into a basement w/ her boyfriend at age 20 and ended up getting sexually harrased by the owner of the house so I'm not quite sure I'm comfortable with that. Good idea though, thanks!

Sarah B. Wrote:
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> TheNorthman Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Qualifying for renting an apartment will depend
> on
> > credit score and maybe a background check. You
> > both are young so I even if you don’t have
> any
> > negative credit history, you might not have
> much
> > credit history at all.
> >
> > Do you or your boyfriend have anything in your
> own
> > names such as a cell phone, gas card,
> > Nordstrom’s charge card? Basically you’ll
> > probably need to have some type of credit
> history
> > to qualify. You will likely need to put down a
> > security deposit for them to hold, which
> usually
> > amounts to 1 or 2 month’s rent.
> >
> http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Virginia/
>
> > Fairfax/
>
>
> We both have little credit history and that's part
> of my concern if we would still get accepted. He
> has a phone bill and a credit card with some
> website hbc or something. He has a bank card that
> he uses for a debit card, I'm not sure if that
> means anything? I only have a target charge card
> which I use everywhere. We are willing to offer
> the maximum security deposit, does that help at
> all?


Just go in and see what happens. it's that easy.

One quick question again, is there a trick or something to tell if a neighborhood is good or bad? For example: the way a car looks, or what type of cars or there or something?

I'm in a similar situation but yet me and my bf were thinking of "rent to own houses" does that seem smarter than to start of at a apartment or no? because its about the same monthly payment and that way we wouldnt be wasting are money because we are going to buy it when were eligible to

mindy Wrote:
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> I'm in a similar situation but yet me and my bf
> were thinking of "rent to own houses" does that
> seem smarter than to start of at a apartment or
> no? because its about the same monthly payment and
> that way we wouldnt be wasting are money because
> we are going to buy it when were eligible to

"bf and I"
And yes, great ideal

FFU house advisor Wrote:
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> mindy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm in a similar situation but yet me and my bf
> > were thinking of "rent to own houses" does that
> > seem smarter than to start of at a apartment or
> > no? because its about the same monthly payment
> and
> > that way we wouldnt be wasting are money
> because
> > we are going to buy it when were eligible to
>
> "bf and I"
> And yes, great ideal


could we do this at such a young age and with little credit?

Rent to own? If that truly was a better and more accessible option than your typical mortgage with down payment, everybody would be doing it.

The devil is in the details. The sales price or the total price including finance charges must be outrageous. Also, you might have fewer rights in any payment disputes - or lose any equity you built up if they find some excuse to kick you out.

I'd google the hell out of that option. Think "Rent-A-Center" scams.

Rent-to-own can be a good option for those with little credit or poor credit. But you have to be exceedingly careful how the deal is structured. The owner will try to maximize his/her advantage, of course; but everything is negotiable, including the sales price of the home, the option fee, the rent, the rent credit, the timeframe for purchase, who maintains what, etc.

But honestly, the OP and the other poster who are interested in a lease-purchase just don't sound mature enough and savvy enough to handle this option. The most likely scenario is that you and your boyfriend will split up (trust me, that's true) and not exercise the option to purchase. Meanwhile you will have paid an option fee, higher than going rate rent, and possibly maintenance costs as well. I really wouldn't do this at your age.

BTW, one of the problems with a lease-purchase is that you have to find an owner who is open to this possibility. That requires a lot of legwork, since most owners won't consider it. Don't expect a real estate agent to help - most of them don't know anything about lease-purchases, in part because there isn't enough money in it for them. It also does not help you that the housing market has strengthened considerably in the past year.

With little to no credit history, your best bet is probably to find an apartment or a room in a private home through something like Craigslist. Unfortunately, a lot of landlords do not do a thorough credit or background check (unlike large apartment complexes). But that works to your advantage. You need to do some checking of your own to reassure yourself that the landlord is someone you can trust. Personally, I would never rent to people your age, but there are people who will.

More fundamentally, at the risk of sounding like your parents, you two are just too young to move in together. You will probably wind up signing a one-year lease, which you will both be obligated to. There is a strong likelihood that you will choose to go your separate ways before the lease is up. If you do that and think you can just break the lease, think again. You will be subject to significant penalties, and you will have a hard time renting someplace else. Don't expect compassion from your landlord - you won't get it. I'm sure you have a romantic vision of living together, but things can get real ugly real fast when you entangle your financial committments like this.

Try renting a basement apartment. Some are really nice and are in great areas.

If you both have good jobs and a clean record you can find a deal.

Good luck!

OP, Buy a dictionary and complete high school. Solid advise for you.

Get married and stop livin' in sin, heathens! ...it's cheaper. ;-)

Do NOT GET KNOCKED UP!!!!!! You're bf is most likely scum.

Hey, hit me up I am gonna be sub letting a place in Fairfax City next month and the landlord is cool with me finding a new tennant
runone2002 AT yahoo.com

God'sVoice Wrote:
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> Get married and stop livin' in sin, heathens!
> ...it's cheaper. ;-)


you work at chick fli-a, bro?

Best advice is, do not move in together.

8 months from now, we will probably see a post saying
"How can I get out of my lease, my BF left me with the bills or I cant find a job.. etc"

But good luck though



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2012 01:13AM by lolyer.

lolyer Wrote:
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> Best advice is, do not move in together.
>
> 8 months from now, we will probably see a post
> saying
> "How can I get out of my lease, my BF left me with
> the bills or I cant find a job.. etc"
>
> But good luck though


So fucking true, that has happened to me. fuck it, lets someone else feel the pain.

Being as young and with not much credit history as you both are, you stand little chance to get an apartment in any decent complex so your only options are to share a house or another apartment, both risky for the reasons you already mentioned.

And what would you do or where would you go if you had to get out of such a place in a hurry?

If life is not too unbearable where you are -- even if it lacks the freedom you want and at times may seem a bit difficult -- I'd say stay put if you have that option to, and save some money and build some credit, and in the process you'll grow-up a bit more and mature enough to be more prepared to move out when the time is right.

EBT Baby! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just go ahead and pump out a couple of kids and
> get your EBT and Sect 8 housing like everyone
> else. Won't find a better deal anywhere.

Seems about right to me.

Plenty of places will rent you an apartment as long as your parents guarantee the rent.

lolyer Wrote:
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> Best advice is, do not move in together.
>
> 8 months from now, we will probably see a post
> saying
> "How can I get out of my lease, my BF left me with
> the bills or I cant find a job.. etc"
>
> But good luck though


Honestly, if you guys are going to give rude advice like this, I'd appreciate if you'd keep your comments to your self please.

Papa John Wrote:
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> Do NOT GET KNOCKED UP!!!!!! You're bf is most
> likely scum.


Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I'd appreciate if the negative comments and suggestions are kept to your selves.

KAZ Wrote:
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> Being as young and with not much credit history as
> you both are, you stand little chance to get an
> apartment in any decent complex so your only
> options are to share a house or another apartment,
> both risky for the reasons you already mentioned.
>
> And what would you do or where would you go if you
> had to get out of such a place in a hurry?
>
> If life is not too unbearable where you are --
> even if it lacks the freedom you want and at times
> may seem a bit difficult -- I'd say stay put if
> you have that option to, and save some money and
> build some credit, and in the process you'll
> grow-up a bit more and mature enough to be more
> prepared to move out when the time is right.


A big reason why I'd like to get out is to release stress off my mother. My dad past away 10 years ago and my mother remarried but her husband is no good!(God forgive me.) I have a younger brother and her husband had three kids from a previous marriage so my house is very crowded. My boyfriend and I have a large amount of money saved up already in the bank and I work two part time jobs. Were building up our credit as much as we can so we can get out on our own

just because you dont like it doesnt mean it's not good advice.

45 Wrote:
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> just because you dont like it doesnt mean it's not
> good advice.


I never said it wasn't good advice. I stated that it was rude and if people were going to leave negative remarks, I'd appreciate if they keep comments to themselves. I just am looking to gain knowledge from this post and hope to get an idea of what a good option is.

45 Wrote:
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> just because you dont like it doesnt mean it's not
> good advice.


Shes correct. She never said it wasn't good advice, she said it was rude. All of the rude comments could be kept to your selves. All this young lady want's is advice.

What kind of job do you have at 18 and 19 years old where you can afford an apartment?

I call bullshit on this whole thread. Why would you post on a very public forum that your stepfather is NO GOOD, and not expect him and your mother to find out that you despise him?

eagle64 Wrote:
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> I call bullshit on this whole thread. Why would
> you post on a very public forum that your
> stepfather is NO GOOD, and not expect him and your
> mother to find out that you despise him?


dumbass u act like shes probably the only one in the world that thinks her step father is no good. ur so dumb and how do u know her mom doesn't already know what she thinks of him? leave the girl alone

Siege Wrote:
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> What kind of job do you have at 18 and 19 years
> old where you can afford an apartment?


why do you want to know where these kids work? pervert

Good luck getting any good advice on this site. Bunch of juvenile idiots who think their asinine com-ments are soooo witty.

Apartments are hard to find. Many people are renting rather than buying still. As one person suggested, renting out someone’s basement might be the way to go, but choose carefully. Some homeowners might be as weird as the people who comment on this site.