XOXO

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Living Situation

Are you talking house prices or how much you should put down for a down payment? As for the down payment you 'should' put down 20% in order to avoid PMI (but there are ways around that if you dont have the 20%) as for house prices--like you said it really depends on where you are looking, the size and of course the condition of the house--
have you figured out what you can realistically afford to spend each month on a mortgage? many sites have great calculators that can help you figure that out if you havent already
Good luck
Laura

Living Situation

Very doubtful to find an apt in Astoria for under a $1,000 unless you know someone! I moved there two years ago and my rent was about $1,000 for a small/average one bedroom. Now I heard they go for over 1200! It is crazy...
but I do love the area.

I used Metropolis Realty and they were fine. It is over near Ditmars Blvd.

bridetobe

Where in Astoria do you live? I grew up there!

Mortgages

I purchased my condo in May 2001. I put down 10% (but I do pay PMI), closing costs were around $3,000.
You may want to consider a condo or townhouse, since houses can be very expensive. I can tell you that my mortage is less than I would pay in rent on LI. Plus, I am investing in something rather than just handing the money to someone else.
You can go to your bank and just ask the customer service person for some information. They can help you understand what all of the terms mean, how much you need, etc...
It can be very confusing but with a bit of reading and listening you will get it in no time.

Mortgages

We put $20K down on our house and closing costs were over $5K for us. It really depends on where you look and like someone else said the condition of the house, etc. It is very hard to get into a house w/o a down payment and good credit history. I've heard that Nassau is more expensive than suffolk -- Consider looking at condos/townhomes/co-ops as a step in the right direction.
And as someone else said - atleast you are investing your money in something, not wasting it on rent! I rented for 2 years and looking back, Id never do it again -- I wasted $30K RENTING a 1 bdrm apt in suffolk cnty!!!!!! If you ask me, I will always tell you - STICK IT OUT - SAVE - and BUY -- DONT RENT!
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU...

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bearsbabe

I live near Broadway in the 30's! Where di dyou grow up?

bearsbabe

I grew up (and lived there until I got married) on Ditmars & 80th (around the block from LGA). I like it over there and I miss it. I live in Maspeth now and I have to tell you that the commute to Manhattan IS HORRIBLE. So I drive down to Ditmars on Thurs & Fri (no alternate -- that's the only good thing about Maspeth LOL) and take the N train and have less hassle. Where are you going to live after you get married?

bearsbabe

I will live here 'til at least next May....hopefully by then we will be buying a house on the island. (Somewhere close enough to NYC.) I like it here but I am sick of apartment living.