Buying your first apartment is often presented as an obvious step in adult life. But when Karine did it alone at 27, she discovered a reality very different from what she had been told.
At 27, while my friends were investing in trips to the other side of the world or luxury bags, I signed the most frightening and exciting commitment of my life: my first act of sale. Buying alone, without the support of a partner or the help of my parents, was my biggest challenge. But between the euphoria of handing over the keys and the reality on the ground, it really hasn’t been rosy every day.
We often talk about buying real estate as a life goal. But when you start out alone, you quickly discover aspects for which you weren’t necessarily prepared. Before even looking at apartments, I thought the hardest part would be finding “the right one.” In reality, the administrative process is almost a project in its own right. Bank, broker, credit simulations, insurance, compromises, notary… Each step requires time, patience and sometimes a good dose of perseverance. No one told me how mentally exhausting these steps can be. We spend weeks waiting for answers, sending documents, checking details. It’s an administrative marathon.
When we buy together, we can share our doubts. Alone, each decision rests on oneself. The neighborhood, the price, the work, the credit over twenty or twenty-five years. I remember signing the compromise with a mixture of excitement and panic. What if I was wrong? What if the market fell? What if I regretted it? Third surprise and not the least. We often talk about the price of the property and the credit, but much less about everything that surrounds it: notary fees, possible work, moving, furniture, unforeseen events. In the end, the actual budget often exceeds what we initially imagined. I quickly understood that a good margin of financial security is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Despite the doubts, the procedures and the unforeseen events, there is a very special moment: the moment when we receive the keys. That day, everything becomes concrete. This feeling of building something by yourself is incredible. If I had to give some advice to the person I was a year ago, I would say that you have to take the time to fully understand each step of the process, plan a larger budget than expected and above all accept that you cannot control everything.
Buying alone before your thirties is not easy. But it is a very rewarding adventure, especially in terms of money, patience and self-esteem. And today, every time I go home, I remember why it was worth it.
