Good morning Loves. I have a personal confession to make, I am 33 years old and I rent an apartment. I know what most of you personal finance chicas and chicos are thinking – But Why? Trust me I get that all the time. The truth is I have been renting an apartment since I was 18 years old and I don’t think I will ever buy a home.
I am a lifelong renter
I tried to buy a home twice and both times I backed out of the deal. The first time I made an offer on a newly renovated condominium and when someone out bid me I didn’t submit a counter offer. The second time I tried to buy a home I actually gave the developer a check to reserve my unit. I went home, had a panic attack and two days later I went back to the developer to get my check. The offer and reservation were contingent upon being approved for financing so I told the contractor that the bank did not approve me for a mortgage. And that was that.
The thought of a big commitment such as buying a home is absolutely terrifying for me. I try to picture myself sitting down at the notary’s office and signing on the dotted line but honestly I just don’t see it. The thought of making such a huge financial committment really freaks me out. The thought of signing a document that attaches me to living in the same place also scares me.
I have lived in my apartment for almost six years and before this I lived in my previous apartment for four years. I am not a big fan of change, but I would at least like the option. If I buy a home I feel like I would be stuck.
Buying a home is not my thing
I live with my boyfriend in our apartment and just the thought of buying a big home gives me a headache. I don’t want to shovel snow, take out the garbage and cut the grass. When I think of having a big house I think of all the time and commitment it’s going to take to keep it clean. A bigger house means more work and I just don’t have the time to spare.
In my childhood home my sister and I had to help out with weekly chores, that means there were four people cleaning the house. The experience will be much different when there are only two of us. I have a hard enough time trying to clean my apartment on Sunday’s let alone try to clean a big house with indoor and outdoor maintenance. My boyfriend would like me to clean the apartment twice a week, but in our 15 years together that has yet to happen.
Maybe I’m a chicken, maybe I’m afraid of commitment, who knows? All I can say is I like the carefree, commitment free lifestyle that comes with renting an apartment. That’s why I will never buy a home.
Photo by owenbrown
