Own to Rent: Midtown Condo Previously for Sale Now Asks $1300 a Month

When we wrote about this Midtown condo in July, the 900-square-foot studio had just listed for $229K. While it lists as a studio—both then and now—given the discrete bedroom alcove, even a renter could set it up as a 1-bedroom just by adding a large set of shelves to create the feeling of a wall. Ikea would work wonders in this studio, at least in terms of creating separate living and sleeping spaces. The kitchen still has stainless steel counters, but it's less of a worry if you're renting and perhaps even like the idea of something so fiercely modern.

While the unit is still looking very bachelor pad in listing photos, with the right furniture and rugs (more rugs, bigger rugs, a lot of rugs for that acre of shiny concrete flooring), the place could feel much cozier. Hanging more than the one decoration would liven up concrete walls, too. The unit offers a dishwasher, 10-foot ceilings, in-floor heating, a truly luxurious steam shower, in-unit laundry and central air. The place is also pet friendly, with a $250 deposit and a $150 cleaning fee on move-out (pets or no).

The unit comes with street parking, per the ad, though the listing photos also show a secure, gated lot, so there may be off-street spaces available, perhaps for a fee. The address puts you within walking distance to all three of Detroit's major league sports venues and Greektown. While $1300 seems like a stretch, given that we're talking about a place that's officially a studio (and a third-floor walkup at that), the location is a nice perk, especially if you work in the area.

One extra perk: if you like the place enough that you'd like to buy, it looks like the owner would be interested in that. Take the place out for a year-long test drive, save your pennies and think about how much a credit score can creep up in just 12 short months. This rental might well become the right tenant's permanent home. Stranger things have happened.

·112 Watson St, Apt 27 [Zillow]
·Loft near BMX Park, Whole Foods and M1 for $229K [Curbed Detroit]
·Kallax Shelving unit, black-brown [Ikea]