GENERAL INFORMATION: Rules Tightened in 2011

Just this year (2011) it seems that rules are tightening

I've had a place in DFW that used to take some felonies at 2 years, change to 5 years.

I've had a chain that is in most of the metros in Texas, change from considering some felonies at 7 years, to move the bar to 10 years.

Does this mean that there are no good apartments left?  No, it just means that you need my help more than ever because there are fewer and fewer places.

Just submit a FIND MY TX APARTMENT FORM on my website: www.AptFindFelons.com.  If you would like to speak to me or don't have a computer available to you, you can call me at 832-303-3002.

P.S. I'm the only apartment finder in Texas, that I know of, that concentrates his business on helping people with criminal issues in DFW (Dallas - Ft Worth), Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.  

GENERAL INFORMATION: An Answer To a Social Agency's Question

Question: Can I get a List of "Felony Apartments" 

To Help Our Clients With Their Housing Needs"

Answer: It isn't that easy. My service is free to your clients and they can certainly go to my website www.AptFindFelons.com and fill out a FIND MY TX APT FORM for the city they want - example HOUSTON.

One of the biggest myths out there is that there are apartments that take ALL FELONIES. That isn't true. There are some that will take, for example, Possession but won't take Manufacturing or Delivery, some that will take violent felonies but won't take drug felonies, or ones that will take most felonies after a certain time frame.

In order to place a client, I have to pull their criminal and match their record up at over 7,500 apartment complexes in my database. I also look by number of bedrooms, price, area, ISD, etc.

It is only through the use of my enhanced database that I can meet the needs of felons. 

NOTE: to assist anyone with apartment placement in the State of Texas, you must be a licensed Real Estate Agent. So I'm not sure if you would be in violation of the law by trying to do this within your Agency without using a Real Estate Agent.

JOHN

GENERAL INFORMATION: New Mexico Oklahoma Arkansas & Deferred Adjucations

3 Different States: 

all have their own way of handling a Deferred Felony

All these States have a Deferred Adjudication - type of law but they all call it something different.

In New Mexico, they use a term for their Deferred Felonies that I think describes the situation even better: Conditional Dismissal.

Oklahoma calls their deferred felony situation a similar name - a Deferred Sentence.


Arkansas is one of the few states to convict for a deferred felony then upon completion of the probation, they "un-convict" - they call this a First Offender Sentence.


The good news is that I have apartments in Houston, the DFW Metroplex, Austin and San Antonio that will work with your Deferred Felony, no matter where you "got it" and whatever it is called.


John

GENERAL INFORMATION: You deserve a Home: That's why I don't accept the first NO

My clients deserve housing and my calling is to serve them

This doesn't mean I will do anything unethical but it does mean that if I understand an apartment to have a policy then I won't accept a no from a leasing agent as a "final no".


One thing that frustrates me is the general lack of training of many, not all, but many of the leasing agents. I bet only 25% can articulate what a Deferred Adjudication for a felony is...and with the managers and assistant managers it is probably about 75%. Many of the complexes don't do the job they should in training people about misdemeanors, classes of misdemeanors, felonies, deferred adjudications and the other terms that will come up in day to day dealings with the public.


Have I been told NO by a leasing agent only to have a manager correct the statement? All the time. I have had leasing agents tell me "they don't accept felonies" when they take Felony 3 (but not Felony 1 or Felony 2). I have had people tell me they don't take felonies when they mean they don't take MOST felonies but they will accept a hot check felony or a DWI felony. I've had people tell me NO because they didn't want to be bothered.


One of the reasons I am successful at a tough job is I call back and speak to Assistant Managers and Managers. I am polite but I do not accept a first NO for an answer.

That isn't me.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Deferred Adjudication called different things in different states

Do other states have different "criminal terms"

They sure do...different classes of felonies, different terms, different everything.

I became aware that the only "standard" is that people are confused by the experience and how their attorney or Public Defender explained the charges. 

Other than the charges, here are some differences you need to be aware of:

3 Classes of felonies is the standard in Texas, some states have more classes.

Texas labels their misdemeanors A, B, C, but some states have numbered classes that can go up to 7 or more levels.

Some States have a category called Deferred Adjudication; Some call it a first offender status, others Conditional Dismissal.  They all have a different impact although they are similar in their aim.

Some states automatically seal deferred records once the offender completes probation - others only do if you pay an attorney to do it.

Some laws, which are misdemeanors in some states are considered felonies in others.  Example: a bad check in Arkansas for $258 will result in a Felony in Arkansas but only a misdemeanor in Texas.

I'm not an attorney, if you have specific questions about finding an apartment in DFW, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin - call me.  If you have a legal question, call an attorney.

GENERAL INFORMATION: What - my arrest is not on the state database

You can't find my arrest or conviction - WHY?

If I can't find your arrest and/or conviction record, it is USUALLY one of four reasons:

1. It was a Federal crime and not a state crime
2. It wasn't an arrest - maybe you turned yourself in
3. Perhaps the conviction was sealed (some states, unlike Texas, have a category like Deferred Adjudication or Conditional Dismissal, where          charges are sealed after the probation)
4. Different name or date of birth recorded

Does that mean you don't need to be worried - NO, it means that I can only go by your recollection of the event. I can't provide guidance. 

But it doesn't mean I can't help you.  It just means we may have additional options.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Don't give up finding a great place

Had the Ex call me when his ex-wife couldn't

find a "decent" place because of her Felony

The client was presented by their previous locator with one option, and not a very attractive one. She had been accepted there but her Ex said he didn't feel this apartment was "safe". 

That's why he called me.

Within a day, I identified several places that they could visit. One of them was nice, convienent, and priced right.  The management told me they couldn't pre-qualify and the manager placed the odds of acceptance at 50%.

But I had dealt with this firm before on very similar cases and my clients HAD been accepted there. I told my client that it was a 50/50 shot but I advised him to go see it with his Ex and apply.

Sometimes, just letting a complex meet and talk to you makes a real difference. Especially when you can "humanize" your legal difficulties and explain what happened.  Let the complexes see that "you may have a conviction, but you aren't a bad person".

The morale of the story - don't settle for an apartment that you don't feel safe in. You have options. You just need an apartment locating specialist, after all this is all I do -- help people who have convictions (felonies, deferred adjudications, and misdemeanors) find Texas apartments in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin.

GENERAL INFORMATION I've been doing this for 1 year now

2 Phone Numbers to better serve you

I've tried to pick numbers that are easily remembered and now you can text me or call me on either number.

The DFW number can also be remembered as 972-8-APTS-88.  Just call anytime, from 8:30 AM until night fall.  If I don't pick up, just leave a message and I'll get right back to you.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Apt managers mislead by their own "Courtesy Officers"

I get SOOOOO Frustrated with Apt Managers who don't understand a D.A. 

Today's frustration of the day was caused by an apartment manager in San Antonio.  She had been "mis-informed" that a DA was the same as a conviction. Her "courtesy officer" is the one who told her it was "just a conviction by another name".

The law-makers and Judges in the State of Texas didn't have that in mind when they crafted the law.  Here is an excerpt from the TEXAS BAR web site:

What is deferred adjudication?

Deferred adjudication is a special form of judge-ordered community supervision (commonly known as “probation”) that p

ermits the defendant to accept responsibility for a crime without automatically suffering all of the consequences of a formal finding of guilt and sentence. The judge literally defers a decision on the defendant’s guilt, places the defendant 

on a period of supervision, and imposes certain contractual conditions designed to rehabilitate or punish the defendant 

and protect the victim and the public.

The difference between “regular” probation &

 deferred adjudication

Texas law provides that, depending on the offense, a criminal defendant may be placed on one of 2 types of probation: 

regular or deferred adjudication.

Regular probation requires a finding of guilt (conviction) for the crime followed by a 

specific punishment of confinement and/or fine (sentence) that is then suspended.

A defendant placed on deferred adjudication avoids a conviction or sentence because the judge is authorized to delay any finding of guilt or punishment for as long as the defendant successfully complies with the conditions of supervision.

What are the pros and cons of deferred adjudication?

A defendant placed on deferred adjudication can avoid a formal conviction and punishment. However, that does not 

mean there will never be any negative consequences.... A violation of supervision could expose the defendant to substantial punishment without a jury trial and with no right to appeal the judge’s decision to adjudicate guilt.

My Feelings

Since our law-makers in TX have deemed that a Deferred Adjudication is NOT A CONVICTION, I don't see any reason that a courtesy officer would mis-lead an apartments manager.  I can only surmise that the officer is ignorant of the law or is frustrated with "arresting people who then receive a DA".

I can help people with Deferred Adjudications rent in Houston, DFW, Austin, and San Antonio.  Just call me at 832-303-3002 or go to my website:

www.AptFindFelons.com 

The service is FREE - I bill the apartment complexes.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Over 15 more apartments that will take some DAs Identified

I'm always on the Lookout for more 

DA Friendly Apartments

And nothing makes me happier than to announce that I have added more to my extensive database. 

These are first class apartments.  Really nice. They won't take felony convictions or a DA for violence or dealing but will take a DA for possession or many other infractions.

DEFERRED ADJUDICATIONS: If you have a DA, you will probably need my help

Sometimes you need some help

to get "justice" in your housing

I know that you were probably promised that your Deferred Adjudication for a Felony (also known as a Deferred Felony or D.A.) would not "show up" but that isn't always true.

You may have been denied the apartment you want and not really know where to turn. You may fear that your only choice is to go to a "run down" or slummy place...

It is true that 95% of apartment complexes will not accept your D.A. But what is also true, is that 5% will. I know the best of these for you.

Call me at 832-303-3002 (or my new DFW number 972-798-3795) or complete a Find Me a TX apt form by clicking on the link.

I know the problems you are facing and I know the solutions.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Break Free CALL ME

BREAK FREE - Call Me Today

at 

832-303-3002

If you want to start a new life, you need a new home.  One in YOUR NAME.

A place that will give you a "fair deal". I know the apartments for you.

Call me or complete my FIND TX APARTMENT form on my website.

It doesn't matter if you need an apartment that will work with a Felony, a Misdemeanor, or a Deferred Adjudication for a Felony (Deferred Felony). Or have a broken lease or eviction and one of these issues.

I can help.  And my services are FREE to you; the apartments pay my fees.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Do you need to be in your new apartment by the Holidays?

Do you need to be in your new Apartment by the Holidays?

If so, let me hear from you. I'm working 7 days a week helping people with their apartment moves. 

You can contact me 24x7 at 832-303-3002 - it's my new Message Line. Just leave a message and I'll get right back to you.

Or send me an e-mail to AptFindFelons@gmail.com or my e-mail at The Apartment Store which is AptStore@Gmail.com.

I know the specials that can help you have a Happy Holiday in your new place.

DALLAS: Never read a Resident Criteria like this one

I Never Read A Resident Criteria Like This One!

It states that the following items which could cause your rental application to be rejected:

1. Low-rider pants exposing buttocks, ucovered underwear, unkempt appearance, untidy, or unclean.

2. Body modifications such as branding, scarifications, extensive piercing, skin streching, subcutaneous implantation(s) involving the head, face, neck, ears, hands, or observed on other exposed areas, excluding bona fide act of organized religious faith.

3. If you do not exercise reasonable control of your children or your children are engaged in unruly behavior on the property.

I don't know if it is wrong or right.  It is sad that you have to put these things in writing.  I understand it.  I just don't know if I like it.  

Your thoughts, please. 

HOUSTON: DA apartment offers a WHOPPER of a Special!

The old Burger King commercial used to sing 

"Have It Your Way"

now a Deferred Felony accepting apartment offers 

their own take on that with a WHOPPER of a special

Your choice, have it your way, a great special either way:

1. Pick a low cost $149 total move-in (application, admin fee, and 1st month's rent).

OR

2. Pick $100 off each month. That makes a 1 bedroom $445 or a 2 bedroom just $545.

OR

3. If you qualify for other discounts, like a Senior discount, you can pick #1 PLUS get your Sr. discount.

Whatever you pick, it is a super deal. And you get the chance to pick what's important to you - call John at the Apartment Store at 281-681-3434 or complete my FIND A TX APT form,  (be sure to put "WHOPPER" in the comments).

AUSTIN: A super D.A. Apartment in Austin

Remember, a D.A. means you were NEVER CONVICTED

And as such, there are apartments in Austin, nice apartments, that want to work with you.

For more information on Deferred Felony or Deferred Adjudication for a felony apartments, please call me at 866-285-2100 or send me a FIND ME A TX APT form from my website www.AptFindFelons.com.

FELONS: Got a call today - Lady asked me if my Website was a "JOKE"

We spent 30 years in Bad Apartments - Can You Really Find Us A Place?

YES, I CAN.

And the type and numbers of apartments I will find for you depend on three factors:

1. The Crime.  I can't help Sexual Offenders.  I can help just about every one else but understand if your crime is violent or involves a large amount of drugs, you will have fewer choices.

2. The Time.  The time SINCE THE CONVICTION DATE is the determining factor.  If it has been 10 years since conviction, you will typically have more choices than 7 years or 6 years.  But 6 and 7 years have more choices available than 4 or 5 years.  Years 0-4 are pretty lean.

3. The Money.  The third important factor is the money you have to spend.  An $750 dollar one bedroom apartment will be nicer than a $500 dollar apartment.  Every where in Texas this is true.

I don't joke about my job.  I consider it my ministry to help felons and their families.  I rejoice when my clients are accepted.  I love a happy ending.  I enjoy knowing that your surroundings are a little better and you have a nicer place to raise your family.

It may sound corny, but this feeling of victory and the satisfaction I receive from helping you is more important to me than the money. I may laugh and joke with you, but my service is as important to me as it is to you.

Call me toll-free M-S 9:00-5 at 866-285-2100 or complete this FIND A TX APT form.

FELONS: Most Leasing Agents won't understand your Charge

Most Leasing Agents won't understand your Charge or Conviction

I had a situation yesterday where I was finding an apartment for someone who was convicted for Vehicular Manslaughter. He was the driver and was careless and this carelessness resulted in the accidental death of another.

It had been 14 years but this gentleman's voice still cracked when he told me of the charge. I thought that the apartments would be understanding. I was wrong. Most stuck to their "if it's a felony, we can't help him" mantra.

But one agent, whose firm, allows felons after 10 years except for Violent felonies, sex crimes, child crimes, and drug manufacturing/trafficking crimes, told me WE DON'T ALLOW VIOLENT CRIMES. When I explained that this was an accidental death, she told me "I told you, we don't accept felons that commit violent crimes".

I'm sure I could go over her head and explain the situation to the manager and get this guy in, but there was another complex he was interested in who was very welcoming. But to me, the point of this story is "Don't Expect a Leasing Agent To Understand Your Charge - or to Understand the Law".

Most, won't. That is why you need me in your corner.

To put me to work for you, you can contact me at 866-285-2100 or go to my website, AptFindFelons.com. Just select the FIND ME A TX APT option and fill out the form.

Remember, this is a FREE service and I'm a TX Real Estate Agent who specializes in finding apartments for felons and their families in the Texas metro areas of Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio.  

FELONS: How did you hear about me?

I always ask the Question "How did you hear about me"

Most people say they found me through Google, Bing, or Yahoo. But here are the other ways people have found out about Apartment Find Felons of Texas or AptFindFelons.com:

1.   Spouses or "loved ones" checking out the internet

2.   Support group members giving out my card (AA or Rehab)

3.   Parole officers

4.   Leasing agents giving out my information to someone

5.   Referral from another person with a criminal record

6.   Anger Management Class

7.   Craigslist ads

8.   Answers to questions posted on Yahoo Answers & Wiki Answers

9.   Prison Ministries

10. Word of mouth

Thank you to everyone who refers me.  It is the highest compliment you can pay someone when you send them business.

Put me to work for you or a felon you know.  Just click on this link and fill out the FIND A TX APT FOR ME form.  

You can also call me at 866-285-2100 or check out my website at www.AptFindFelons.com.