re: #700 Afrocity

I can’t make a 20% down payment on anything in Chicago. I rent a 1200 square foot condo for $1900 a month. Owner asked if I want to buy it at $400,000 but I don’t have 20%.

How seriously have you looked into your mortgage options? Even in the current market, 20% is not necessarily a hard and fast requirement, especially if your credit is otherwise good, and there are programs to help first-time homebuyers. (Plus, if you can get it done before this December, there’s a serious one-time income tax credit.)