The Brooklyn blogosphere loves to make fun of the Benjamin James project to get hipsters to buy homes. Aside from the transparent Virgin Mobile-”You Rule”-reminiscent corn this entails, it really is a great idea. And it’s a template that should be expanded for other groups. Homeownership isn’t some exclusive club for the rich, even in New York. It’s nothing glamorous, trust me. It’s just a better thing to do for oneself financially than rent forever. Yes, it’s even better than renting forever in a rent-controlled apartment (not that hoarding a nearly free apartment, on its own, ever kept anyone from buying property). What better place for a hipster — or a group of them — to buy than Bushwick? A dollar stretches a lot further this side of Flushing.

“Easier said than done,” some may be thinking — not really. See a financial advisor, shuffle some budget items, kick some habits, and make it a priority; if you stick with it, it will work. And go to Homebuying for Hipsters, even though we’re all sure your eyes will be sore from so much rolling.

Homebuying for Hipsters, Wed June 6, 2007, 6:30pm
430 Graham Avenue, Williamsburg