Can I afford an appartment?

Question

I just cleared my credit report after having a bad credit.

I make around $19/hr working for a Fortune500 company.

I would like to get an apartment around $650-$750/month.

Can I afford it? And how hard it is most likely to get one? Thanks for reading and all answers are appreciated!

Answer 1

Ok budgeting 101

I think according to your number you make about 1500 month, right? Start by looking at apartments in your area. Are there any one bedrooms in that price range? The lower, but still decent, the better. Second, if there is not, then consider taking on a roommate( now a two bedroom). You will need to make at least double the rent amount in order to rent an apartment. So if that does not work, then consider renting space in a house.

Best of luck.

And yes it appear that you still have money left over, but remeber to keep those additional bills as small as possible. Weight out wants vs. needs

Answer 2

As a general rule, for renting or buying a house, you should not be spending any more than 1/4 of your monthly take-home pay.  Following this guideline, you can afford an apartment up to around $700 a month, so I would say yes, you can get this apartment.   As far as how hard it is to get an apartment, it's probably a little harder than a few years ago just because of all of the foreclosures on home mortgages(everyone needs a place to live), but, depending on where you live, if you have a decent credit rating(many renters do check credit), and show an ability to pay the rent, then you should be ok.  Good Luck.

Answer 3

ok it is simple math. at $19 per hour you will gross $760 per week, this gives you about $3290 per month. I would figure about $1000 per month for car and home combined, depending on your car payment, credit card and othe debt, student loans ect. You should be fine so long as you budget your money and don't over spend.

Answer 4

Of course you can!!!! My mom makes 20/hr in a 3bedrm apartment $1025, 4 kids and a dog. She only make $1 more than you, probably have more kids than you too!!! Its not hard Im only 20, medical assistant making $13.50 ,my rent is $850/month 1bedrm and with a7month old. I'm doing just fine.  Just find an apartment, call the landlord to set-up appointment to see the apartment, and if you like it, and it's in your price range, then you got it!  Good luck, on apartment hunting!!!!!

Answer 5

Your mortgage or rent should not be more than %20-30% of your take home incom

if you are young  try to find a roommate and try to save money.

cash is king... save every penney you could and try to buy an condo or town house next 1-2yrs

do not wast your money in rent.

you need this cash for  a down payment and closing cost too.

Answer 6

19/hr = 760 a week = ~3040 a month (bit more since a month has more than 20 working days usually).

With a 3040 dollar income, you can afford %760 per month on rent. Where do I get this number from? Most financial advisors tell you to spend 25% or less on rent. Additionally, your total debt related expenses (credit card debt, car loan, student loan, rent, etc) should be under 33% of your income which is ~1003 dollars.

If your total rent expense is less than 760 and your total debt related expenses are under 1003 or so, you should be fine.

Disclaimer: These are generic numbers and they can vary for different people. Your income, the cost of living at the place you live and your personal spending habits can impact just how much you can afford to pay for rent.

Answer 7

Since you expect to pay between $650 and $750 for Rent.  Try this.  

1.  If you have credit cards or other unsecured loans, write down the balance from your most recent bill for each one.

2.  For the next 6 months, save $750 a month and don't touch it for any reason.

3.  Pay every other bill like you had been doing previously.

4.  In 6 months, compare your credit card balances from 6 months ago to today.

If your credit card balance has not increased, then you should be able to afford the apartment.  You can use some of your new savings for the security deposit and the first months rent.  After that, you can not touch it again.  That is your emergency fund.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Yes, you can make it. It'll also help you become more responsible. They usually do a credit and background check on you, most likely you will have to pay a deposit, sometimes even the first months rent ahead of time. You also have to pay for the application fee which is around $60. A lot of places will make sure that you make at least one and a half or two times more than your monthly rent before you can get approved. Good Luck!

Answer 9

You did not say where you are living now, but I would suggest that you stay there for another few months. By doing so you can continue to pay any bills that you have (pay on time or before they are due) this will help repair your credit. If you have a credit card with a real high credit line ask the credit card company to lower some. This will help your score as well.

While you are doing this you should also try to start saving some money. Try to save as much as possible. One you will need 1st, last and security for most apartments. Also, if you can save more than that, you will start to build up a cushion in the event of an emergency.  Put this money in savings and don't touch it.  You will be amazed at how fast it will build up.

As far as affording the apartment if you are working 40 hours a week you should be able to afford that rent.  Keep your housing cost (rent, electric, phone, cable, ) at no more than 38% of your total income and you should be fine.

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Answer 11

It depends on how many hours you work a week and what other bills you have to pay. Take your monthly take your monthly take home pay after taxes and compare it to your other bills (food, transportation, gas, water. etc)  If you make more money than you will be spending with the apartment then you can afford it.

Answer 12

If you have to ask that question, No!

Get a studio. Once you get accustomed to a piece of your paycheck being siphoned off for rent, you can either stay where you are or look for  a bigger place.

Answer 13

You should sit down and figure out your income monthly then yearly over all. do the same with any bills you have ie. telphone hydro food entertainment car etc...  and factor in you rent of 750.00 once you figure out what your getting on a monthly basis and what is coming out monthly from your paycheck you will have a better understanding if you could pay that in rent.

Keep in mind you need emergency money put aside for things you haven't calculated things can go wrong so you need to have extra for those rainy days.