The New York Times has a nifty calculator that will help you decide if its better to rent or buy. It told us that based on our rent vs what it would cost to buy a place similar to the one we rent…buying was only better after 24 years. Sobering news. —MEGHANN MARCO
renting
Rent While The Renting Is Good?
By 4.11.07
According to the New York Times, if you’re renting you’re smart.
Over the next five years, which is about the average amount of time recent buyers have remained in their homes, prices in the Los Angeles area would have to rise more than 5 percent a year for a typical buyer there to do better than a renter. The same is true in Phoenix, Las Vegas, the New York region, Northern California and South Florida. In the Boston and Washington areas, the break-even point is about 4 percent.
UPDATE: Landlord Auto-Deducting My Life Away
By 3.13.07
Despite being a broke fool who let his landlord auto-deduct from his bank account, Mike was able to get all his money back from his landlord, using two of consumers most important tools: persistence, and sheer force of will.
Clean Up Your Tenant History With The FCRA
By 2.22.07
The Fair Credit Reporting Act doesn’t just regulate the Big Three (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax). It also regulates tenant screening agencies that report things like late rent payments, evictions, and other tenant information. Tenant-related information may show up in traditional credit reports or in tenant screening agency reports. If your rental application is denied, get a copy of any reports that were used in denying your application and, if anything is inaccurate, challenge it.
Blogger Finds Own Apartment Listed On Craigslist
By 1.11.07
A stranger called Beth. He knew where she lived in Manhattan, in the upper West side. He knew Beth had a fireplace in her bedroom. Beth’s apartment was not for rent, but the caller saw an ad on Craigslist saying it was. Beth did not place this ad.
HOW TO: Re-Up Your Lease, Keep The Same Rent
By 1.5.07
We and our girlfriend’s 12 month apartment lease ran out and so we signed another lease, but our rent stayed the same.
Carmel Partners Sticks Flood Bill to Tenant
By 7.20.06
“Though I have doubts about whether or not this will appear as anything of importance to anyone but myself, I still feel inclined to at least attempt to get this information out there. “
Pith & Vinegar: Awkward Simile Edition
By 6.1.06
• Vonage offered shares to customers before the IPO. Now that the stock tanked, customers are balking at paying up, and Vonage may pursue payment, which is sorta like breaking the knuckles on your amputated arm. [NYT]
Apartment ‘Painted’ With 100 Gallons
By 5.15.06
Rent-stabilized apartments in New York are the bane of their landlords, gnashing their teeth like the rats they unleash to drive out unwanted tenants.
Landlord Cancels Deposit Check, Makes Other Checks Bounce, Sucks
By 3.6.06
Thanks to this, several of his checks bounced and he got lots of insufficient fund fees.
Free Business Plan: Apartment Bloodhound
By 2.16.06
s an idea for a business for you can start for little money.
