A change of scenery: part 1

We all move for different reasons: job changes, relationships, ending leases, home buying, or simply a desire for a change of scenery. While these moments can be exciting, they can also be a significant source of stress.

Several years ago, I was happily living in the Scott condo that I still call home today (that's a story for another time). However, everything changed when I received an email from my landlord, informing me that she wouldn’t be renewing my lease that fall. To make matters worse, she requested that I move out sooner rather than later. I was devastated and felt borderline insulted—I was the perfect tenant! Faced with no choice, I began my search for a new place.

Perhaps fueled by the bitterness of my situation, nothing appealed to me. I had no interest in an overpriced amenity-filled high-rise or moving to a new neighborhood. As the clock ticked and inventory dwindled, I decided to switch my strategy: I adjusted my Zillow search to include properties for sale. Did I want to buy? Absolutely not. But if I found the perfect place, I figured I could make it work.

That’s when I discovered a stunning pre-war vintage condo. I requested a tour, and it was everything I had dreamed of: hardwood floors, intricate moldings, a marble kitchen, arched doorways, a heated bathroom floor, a walk-in closet, and two outdoor spaces. I was determined to make this place mine. So, I reached out to the selling agent and explained that while I had no interest in buying, I was very much interested in renting.

The condo had been on the market for two months, giving me the upper hand. The seller’s agent was convinced it would sell quickly, but after nearly a month of back-and-forth negotiations, I finally secured a signed lease for my dream pre-war condo.

If you really want a place, get creative with your strategy. Don’t limit yourself to just the rental market—many properties are for sale simply to test the market. Remember, everything is negotiable.

One aspect of my strategy did catch up with me: I had led the sellers to believe I might want to buy the unit someday. When they expressed their desire to sell, I made it clear that I had no intention of purchasing. While they weren’t thrilled, I had no binding agreements or rent-to-own contracts, so the ball was in their court.

In the end, I moved just 500 feet up the street, but I found a place that I was happy to call home.