A dreamy little Jungalow in Atwater Village.
I’ve got itchy feet. I know this feeling well. I had it when I moved to Switzerland when I was sixteen. I had it when I moved to Italy when I was 21, I had it when I moved to NYC at 28, and I have it now. But I don’t want to leave L.A this time. I want to buy a home–bad. I’ve lived in rentals since I was 18 years old. If I average out that I’ve been spending $800 a month for the past sixteen years that’s $144,000 I’ve spent on rent–and I’m sick of it. I long to own to walls I paint, and the floors I hope to cover in tile. I long to feel like a place is truly my own and that the investments that I make in it are worthwhile. I long to go completely over-the-top with the decor and get crazemazing appliances…and…and…OK maybe now I’m getting carried away–but seriously though, I’m making this a big goal of mine for the next year.
It isn’t easy because since both J and I are freelancers, we don’t have steady incomes and since I lived abroad for most of my adult life, I don’t have a long ‘credit history’ (and it’s bananas that you need to have been in debt in the past to have good credit, right?!? This system is stupid–but that’s a whole ‘nother blog post that I’m totally unqualified to write.) Plus L.A. is EXPENSIVE and we can get a two-bedroom podunk little spot in a mediocre i-don’t-really-feel-totally-safe-walking-alone-at-night kinda area for what mansi0ns cost in many cities–but hey– I guess that’s what you pay to be near the–errrr– beach? ANYWAY…I’m pretty determined to make this happen and when I put my mind to something… just don’t be alarmed if you start seeing more rants around here about house-hunting and (hopefully, one day) house buying, and maybe, if we’re lucky house fixer-upper-ing and many, many before and after photos…wouldn’t that be nice?! Keep your fingers crossed and any advice is more than welcome–’cause I’ve never done this before and I’m totally clueless.
Irene @ aroluna says
you-deserve-all-that-you-beautiful :)
Jess says
You can make it work! My husband and I are going through the same thing in Seattle. if you have a trusted friend who also wants to buy, you can get a side-by-side cute midcentury fixer-upper duplex! You can also apply for a loan to buy a rental property (say two small bungalows on a lot) live in one and rent out the other. You can use the rental income as part of the loan application to qualify for more. Good luck with everything!
Justina Blakeney says
Oh yes a supplementary rental income would be amazing!! fingers crossed!
annton says
supercrossed, my fingers. good luck! cannot wait to see it happen.
Carole Poirot says
I know from experience and looking at London prices how hard it is to find something suitable, affordable, and in a half-decent neighbourhood…I haven’t managed to pull that one off yet. Good luck with the hunt x
Katy @ All Sorts of Pretty says
Oh, girl! I feel you! My husband and I are just now buying our first home. I got to the same place you did – wanting a home all my own to do whatever decor/renovations I wanted. Not just pick what to hang on the walls and furniture to fill it with. Painting, re-flooring, knocking down walls, yard landscaping – anything I want! Good luck to you, I can’t wait till you find your home and go crazy making it your own :)
hannah says
Yes!! I definitely feel you on this one. After paying rent for too damn long, my wife and I are finally looking into buying. We’re signed up for a first-time home buyer’s class next week — lots of areas offer them for free, and it’s a great way to learn more (plus qualify for things like cheaper homeowner’s insurance and gov’t assistance programs for down payments, etc.) Good luck!! Xoxo
Justina Blakeney says
oh such a good idea to look for a class– I hadn’t even thought of that–and this sh*t makes my head spin!
angela says
Do you have to be near the beach?? Cause that’s a tough one in this market… Try exploring some places that you would not normally think of….Altadena, Pasadena, Eagle Rock hey even Sierra Madre (like Andy Griffith’s Mayberry) somewhat of a hippie vibe w/a great elementary school which is really something you have to consider with little Ida. I know its a little east but really sometimes its really refreshing not to be smack in the middle of everything, also its easier to quiet the mind and see things from a different perspective.
Justina Blakeney says
Oh no, I know we can’t afford to be near the beach!!! We are certainly considering many of the areas that you mentioned although I hadn’t considered Sierra Madre and will totally look into it now!! Thanks for the tip!
Rose Toutjian says
You go girl!! We live in Oakland and I have the same ‘seems impossible dream’. Believe it into being!!!
Annie says
Have you thought about West Adams? At first glance, it may seem like one of those not very safe neighborhoods, but I’ve gotten to know it well in the past year or so and it is amazing. My friends there (all young families) mostly say they wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else. It has a sense of community like seriously no other urban place I’ve ever experienced. There’s an active Moms club full of amazing women, many of whom have just started a great charter elementary school. It’s a place of true diversity, both cultural and socioeconomic, and people who value it. And the HOUSES! Beautiful, large, historic. And less expensive than most of LA, especially for a fixer. I live in mid-City and love it, but if I was buying knowing what I know now I’d seriously consider West Adams.
Justina Blakeney says
Good call. We haven’t looked there and I think you’re right that it’s a good idea! Thanks for the tips!!
Annie says
Oh, I should add–West Adams is huge and some areas are nicer than others. You may want to look at Harvard Heights, Wellington Square, etc.
Claudia says
i know how you feel so well. we are about to move to yet another rental and i cannot wait for the day we move into our very own home. i store all the things i want to do to our own home one day in my mind because i don’t even bother wasting it on rentals…
Gabby says
I know nothing about LA, but I bought a house in Richmond, VA 7 years ago in a not-so-great but inexpensive area and when the market crashed we lost out big. We have a tenant in there (who never pays on time) but its a big headache. My advice is location location location! Can’t stress that enough, better to buy a so-so house in an awesome location than a great house in an area you don’t want to live long term. Good luck!
Elana says
Hi Justina, I don’t usually comments sections but somehow read this last night and smiled as I happen to have a dear friend who is selling her home in Sierra Madre. She is a smart, generous, magical woman, like yourself, who leads these amazing “Coming Into Your Own” workshops for women. As it felt like synchronicity to me, I mentioned you to her and she is happy to connect with you if you like. Whether it is specifically about her home, finding out more about Sierra Madre or some other reason you are meant to connect…I leave that to the both of you to discover. As I am an Intuitive Counselor, I believe deeply in following these threads of connection as when someone like yourself sets a vision in motion anything is possible!
To honor her privacy, if you are interested please email me at [email protected] and I will send you her email address. Wishing you much serendipitous ease in bringing your dream to fruition…
Justina Blakeney says
THank you so much for taking the time! I will be emailing you!!
dervla says
good luck Justina! We’re outgrowing our place too and i’m so ready to move on (although my dream is to buy the apt next door and break down the walls!). Can’t wait to see what you find.
Staci @ My Friend Staci says
I have the same itchy feeling! Here in San Diego there are lots of options but the affordable ones get snatched up by investors (house flippers) quicker than you can blink! Good luck on your journey, and know that lots of us are in the same boat as you are!
PS– You could always move down here to San Diego! Tons of boho neighborhoods like OB, North Park, and Golden Hil!
Rahil says
I completely feel you on wanting to own! Whenever I see a great home, I imagine what things I could do with it if it were mine. I too have always rented and when I add up how much I’ve spent on rent, its alarming…Buying is definitely in my 5 year plan
mary ann says
justina 10 years ago i was living in echo park and feeling exactly like you. tiny budget and everything i looked at was at least 200k BELOW what the average asking price on a LOW price house was. so i was really looking at some sh*tholes. finally i found a dreamy place in highland park. an affordable little cottage on a little hill with a view and a giant yard. bliss. you WILL find something. you will you will you will. and it will be perfect. i know it.