a 900$ yap dog and you still want to marry her? that's love, dude. hang on to her.

I'm doing it. I have agreed to buy a house (though won't actually hand over the cash for a while). A coworker recommended a realtor and dude has been mega helpful and, I think, saved me money and for sure saved me hassle. No rabbit hutch about it.

Also, as a result of a lawsuit a while ago, first-time maryland buyers are eligible for some sweet loans from local banks, like 103% loans for 5.75 fixed, which means that buying costs considerably less than my current rent. And I will have change, to buy a ladder and some paint.

I will also have a fine view of the water treatment plant by 'Lake' Montebello. I wouldn't have had the nerve without the wisdom of strangers on the internet to rely on.

Big ups! What's this lawsuit thing all about?

Dunno. I guess someone was screwing over first time buyers and now they must give below market rates to avoid harsher regulation. Dude said any bank based in MD would do it (but recommends his special pal etc etc). I didn't get the gory details of why.

I have to go to a few classes on how to balance a checkbook and why you should change air filters and clean behind fridges and stuff, maybe 4-5 hours all told. But for under 6% I can suck it up.

Damn. I'm in the process of throwing as much freelance money as I can at these fucking credit cards I haven't used in four years. I have worked with half the damn realtors in Annapolis at some point in time or another over the past 3 years, plus I also have the bank as a client. I may have to have a talk with them. Thanks for the info. We may end up neighbors, haha. There ain't no way in hell I can afford anything in Anne Arundel County.

Sweet. I'm still carrying a couple grand on plastic, nothing major but paying it down to this is why I have no deposit. Again, they don't care.

Montebello/Northwood's (note: "Original Northwood" is virtually identical to "Northwood" only about 30% cheaper for the rowhouses at least) likely the wrong side of the city for your commute, but you could be the man from pigtown! Or woodberry, if you were taking the train.