Y
amil Burgos grew up in Elmhurst, Queens, surrounded by a close‑knit community. The eldest son of Dominican immigrants, he spent afternoons playing volleyball in the parking lot beside his apartment and sampling local Latin and Asian fare, especially his mother’s chicken empanadas. When he enrolled at Baruch College, his father, a custodian, deposited $2,000 into his account. Burgos managed the money carefully—using financial aid, library textbooks, and commuting from home where he shared a room with his younger brother—learning to save from the start.

    After earning his degree in 2015, he opened an investment account and watched his savings grow. At 23, he rented a one‑bedroom apartment in Elmhurst, a milestone that gave him a sense of ownership after years of living with family. He worked out at a local gym, where he met Rafaela Ramirez, a real‑estate employee who encouraged him to invest in property. “Save up and call me when you’re ready,” she advised.

    Seven years later, Burgos’s savings—including a 401(k)—had increased, but his rent had risen and his apartment, located above the building’s entrance, was noisy and cramped. He decided to move, setting a budget of $260,000 and seeking a quiet, well‑lit space with an elevator, laundry, proximity to a gym, and a subway line to Midtown Manhattan. He was open to other Queens neighborhoods such as Jackson Heights and Rego Park.

    Ramirez connected him with George Segura of NYC Elite Homes, who sent him co‑op listings, confident he could qualify for a mortgage with a 20% down payment. Segura emphasized the importance of a strong credit score.

    **Options**

    1. **Renovated Elmhurst Studio (465 sq ft)** – Top floor of a postwar building, hardwood floors, skyline view, recessed lighting. Small kitchen with a breakfast bar that barely fits a refrigerator. Shared bathroom wall with parents’ unit. Laundry room in building. Price: $197,000; maintenance: $511.

    2. **Jackson Heights One‑Bedroom (≈800 sq ft)** – Fourth floor of a 1951 elevator building, 10‑minute walk to parents, 5‑minute walk to No. 7 train. Two exposures, eat‑in kitchen, dining area, bedroom with desk space and two closets. Doorman and live‑in super. Price: $299,999; maintenance: $830.

    3. **East Elmhurst Two‑Bedroom (975 sq ft)** – Near the border of East Elmhurst, three exposures, dishwasher, five closets, mirror wall in dining‑living area. Yellow kitchen, mid‑century pink‑tile bathroom. Hardwood in one bedroom, carpet elsewhere. 12‑minute walk to subway. Price: $328,000; maintenance: $1,030.

    **Which Would You Choose?**

    **Which Did He Buy?**