One reason I hate this town...

[plunkybug]

Apartments all over town are going condo. Cheap and affordable housing, is being taken away from many residents here. This is also driving up the prices of the complexes that are staying apartments. In any case, our complex is one of the many that have turned, or are turning, condo. So, as of Tuesday, we no longer live in Twin Lakes Apartments, but in The Lakes at Maitland Condominiums (though we are still renting...the conversion is still in progress). The sign officially went up. We have had a lot of work being done in and around the complex for the last few months, and we all knew the possibility of it happening. We actually signed our new lease in the beginning of September, increasing our monthly rate $100, whereas it had only been raised no more than $15/month more in the past. But we signed anyway, as we had little time or money to try moving anywhere else. A week later we got the notice that we can buy our home for 4% less than the selling cost of $196,000, as is. Ha ha ha! They have to be on crack to think this unit is worth more than $100,000. The people that live here are working people, and I doubt anyone here could actually afford a home for $200,000. Besides, for that money, wouldn't you want to find a HOUSE with a YARD and such? I know *I* would.

Because of the timing of us signing the lease, and the conversion announcement and such, the staff came back and changed our lease back to the original rate...they stood up to the new owners because they did not think it was fair to us to jack up the rate so much then hoist this condo business on us. That was really very nice of them to do. We have a good rental history and have never had the cops here, except during the 2004 hurricane season when our phone dialed 911 without our knowledge when it went out, but that was not our fault.

Anyhow, I found the website for The Lakes at Maitland. The floor plans look identical (ours is the 3 bedroom "Maitland" plan). Still no washer/dryer in this unit according to the floorplans, despite the amenities page. It is hard to say how the gallery pics will compare to the converted units with what is standard and what is owner initiated. I think the kitchen appliances are going to be new, but not sure about the cabinets or bathroom sinks and other stuff. Carpet is a given...we had new carpet when we moved in. Really, it was new, for like a month. So, internal changes in the gallery pics may be standard with the conversion, or may not, just not too sure. The furnishings are probably all fake, as usual in "model" apartments and such. They make it look so swanky, considering how crappy this place really is, as Glitter put it...but still, ugh.

Comments

[elphaba20.livejournal.com]

Hey... I know what you mean. When I was looking for a new place back in August 2005, everything was coming up condo, and it was frustraiting me. Included in my troubles of searching was the fact that I have a 50+ pound solid bundle of fuzzy love... aka, my dog. My cat I wasn't worried about, but NO place wants to rent to a 50+ pound dog owner! Fortunately I was able to find a nice house to rent, and believe it or not, at the rates that the remaining apartments were charging, it was actually a great deal. It came with a HUGE friggin' yard for said dog, and the living room and dining rooms where GI-NOR-MOUS!

The same thing that is happening to you right now happened to my boyfriend Tom a few months ago. About a month after renewing his lease last year, the announcement of condoage came through, and that when his lease came due in September 2006, he could either buy that piece of crap for waaaaaay more than it would ever be worth in this lifetime, or the next... or he could move. Tom had 4 cats, and not too many places are willing to put up with that amount of fur on one lease. Fortunately a good deal came his way, but he was one of the lucky ones. It is true that more and more people are being forced out of their apartments and are never going to be able to buy condos. In fact, I even know condo owners that are looking to get out now, and into a real... live... house.

Good luck to you both, and I am glad you decided to stay. Your cooking is excellent! Hugs... Steph.

P.S. I get to perform my role in Clue the first weekend in November, and would love it if you could come! G has all the details, or ask me =)

[plunkybug.livejournal.com]

It is getting insane. Though I hear this isn't the only area it is happening to, though I am under the impression that it is not as severe in other places as it is here. Finding an apartment complex not going condo, with decent rates is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Will see if we can come...will get the 411 from the G-man.