I had a ferret for about a year. I had to give him to my moms friend when we moved to a small condo, cause the smell would have been too overpowering.
While my GPs run from me, since day one, my ferret would climb to the top of his cage and beg for me. He would 'cry' (whine) when I would walk buy and not pick him up. I had to sneak out in the mornings.
Lots of shots, lots of checkups. not a cheap pet.
He was adorable, so much fun, always pooped in the same corner (which is where I placed his pan), I miss him very much. But, as much as I cleaned, he smelled HORRIBLE. I got used to it so that it wasnt so bad, but my friends wouldnt want to come over my house because the basement/family room smelled so bad. Not recommended for small apartements. He was descented and it was still bad. I wish I waited untill I was older (I had him in 8th grade, I am 20 now) because I would have taken care of him so much better, and had more patience and cleaned his cage more. They are also sociable and have fun with a buddy, mine would like playing with my friend's.
Good luck!
PS, if anyone knows of a site that is as thorough about ferretts as this one is about guinea pigs, please post it here. When I finally move into a house, ferretts are coming back =-)