A New Home, My Story

I finally found a new home today! Six months of looking to get here. Six months of searching Craigslist everyday like a drowning person looking for a life preserver. There are too few houses on the market with far too many displaced families looking to fill vacancies.

The competition was unbelievable. With only days to spare, my search is finally over, and I signed my 12 month lease today on a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1700 square foot older home, in a very nice neighborhood. No AC or swimming pool, but it does have a very sweet landlord who decided to take a chance on me.

My new landlord told me that in 24 years of owning and renting this house, he had never seen this many people come through looking for a rental. Just yesterday, three separate people who looked at the house, also lost their homes in foreclosure.

Yes, like so many others, I have to move because I lost my house in foreclosure. I still find it hard to believe. The bank, who now owns my home, gave me until the end of May, only 6 days away, before turning me out.

My journey to a new home has been grueling, even ugly, I won’t deny it. I just had my home foreclosed on so I have awful credit, I don’t have a job, and I’m a single mom with four kids and a dog. Also, my sources of income are from unemployment and child support. I can’t remember how many days involved tears of despair.

I have heard it all, no foreclosure applicants, no children, no dogs.

After sinking into despair, I realized that I wasn’t going to find a home unless I was willing to do something different, I decided to fight back.

A Plan That Worked

Here is what I did to get the advantage over other renters and it worked! I received an acceptance on my application for a great home right away!

I made a ‘Rental Application Package’, which included:

* Pictures of me and my family in my cover letter (pics help landlords remember who you are and also help to ‘humanize’ you)

* A thorough list of my lease, or rent history

* My credit explanation letter (make sure not to blame)

* Character reference letters complete with photos of each person

* A ‘dog resume’ detailing the training and accomplishments of my 10 yr old golden retriever, Cody

* I also included letters from my current neighbors to say what a good neighbor I’ve been

* It would help to get and include a verification letter from your employer

Be sure to add a cover letter with your rental application. I helps to identify the positive things you may have discussed when you met with the landlord, like any work you are willing to do on the property or that you are seeking a ‘long term’ rental. In my cover letter I included my promises: To pay rent prior to the 1st of each month with an auto deduction from my bank, To work out any issues in a friendly manner, To be a quiet tenant and good neighbor, and To take good care of the landlord’s property.

Most important of all, don’t give up. It may not be an easy challenge, but you really can get the home you want if you stay focused and diligent. I did, and so can you.

Jennifer Long, a San Diego native, lives and writes about life in Southern California. Check out my very interesting blog which talks about my life having gone from riches to rags overnight. http://www.mortgagemommy.blogspot.com

Useful Links:

Learn more about getting a fast loan to sort out your outstanding balance.