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.

DEFERRED FELONY: More and more apartments considering DAs

More apartments considering Deferred Felonies or Deferred Adjudications

Someone asked me what the percentage is of complexes that accept ANY convicted felons. The answer is from 5 to 20% accept some type of felony and at some time frame. 

At the present time, most apartment complexes make little distinction for the D.A. for a felony (or deferred felony) because they feel this is a plea to avoid a guilty verdict.  Many complexes are beginning to take a second look at this and are beginning to see that, in fact, a DA IS NOT A CONVICTION but many times the person doesn't have the time or money to fight the charge.

So how many places am I adding to my DA database per month?  I am averaging about 10 per month in the DFW metroplex, 5 per month in greater Houston area, and 2 per month in Austin and San Antonio regions.  And I expect this trend to continue.

It doesn't mean that ALL D.A.s will be considered, if the apartment management sees you as a potential danger to their residents or property, they will still deny you.  That is why my database has the apartments that will consider each type of crime, the time they require before they will consider your issue, and other pertinent information.

To engage my FREE service, call toll-free to 866-285-2100 or complete this AptFindFelons.com form, FIND ME A TX APT.  

FELONS: How I handle Complaints

Basically, I listen - and I try to do better.

I got a complaint today from a guy who was thrilled with his apartment and had dropped me a note to tell me so.

I got so wrapped up with the daily grind that I forgot to answer his note. I was wrong - he did everything right.

Unlike most people, he sent me a note to complain.

I really appreciate people letting me know when they feel I messed up. It really is the only way you can get better.

FELONS: Deferred Adjudications are 10% of Texas "Felonies"

DAs or Deferred Felonies are now 10% of TX Felonies

Not being a lawyer, I'm never quite sure on how to address this portion of my business. It seems most apartments don't care but a few are realizing that this is a different segment of the marketplace and they can have rules accepting Deferred Felonies but not felony convictions. Since a deferred adjudication for a felony isn't technically a conviction, this can be done.

However, until the record is expunged, the felony arrest throws most apartment complexes off and they will normally reject you UNLESS I HAVE SPOKEN TO THEM. Frankly, at many complexes, I understand their Resident Rental Criteria (in regards to the criminal section) better than most leasing agents do. After all, this is my speciality.

So there are apartments in each of the TX metros that take DAs:

- As soon as possible, regardless of the charge (except for Sex crimes)

- At an accelerated time frame than a conviction

- At the same time frame as a conviction

- Will offer specials for a DA but not for convictions

- Will accept certain DA crimes but not others (like Drug distribution or Violence)

Call me at 866-285-2100 and let me help you. This is a free service. Or click on

the FIND ME A TX APT link to submit a request via e-mail.

Stop risking your application fees and deposits and let a pro go to work for you.

FELONS: The nicest Testimonal I've gotten in a long while

Testimonial I received from a lady yesterday

She has a deferred adjudication for a Felony and was having a tough time finding a place until "she put me on the job". Here is her words:

John, Thank you soooo much for your help finding an apartment. I have wasted so much money in the last few years filling out applications with so much disappointment. The complexes you found to accept me were both VERY nice and in good parts of town, and I went and was approved the same day! I also got a spectacular special from the one I am moving into, and could not be happier. I definitely could not have done this without you, You're just great! Thank you again, and I'll be sure to recommend you in the future!
S.S.

I treat all my clients like family. I champion your cause and can find about 80% of my clients housing within 2 business days. I won't kid you, this isn't easy work but I feel it is "my calling" to help.

To contact me: call 866-285-2100 and request to speak to John "the Felony expert" or complete the FIND ME A TX APT form by clicking on this link.

FELONS: Tweet Tweet, AptFindFelons is now on Twitter

AptFindFelons is now on Twitter

Another way for my clients to be able to contact me and to see when I'm finding apartments or kicking back watching college or pro football.

I wanted to thank my new friend at JOBS4FELONS.NET for her advice in setting up my Twitter account. Follow Jobs4Felons on Twitter, too!

GENERAL INFORMATION: Gift Card policy changing

My Gift Card policy is being Updated

If you moved into your apartment prior to July 20th, you will be sent a gift card when the apartment complex pays me. I will not forward a gift card until they do pay me. Some complexes are not paying locators for their services in a timely manner.

Some complexes are deceiving their residents claiming that "all your locator has to do is bill us and we will pay the bill".

What many neglect to tell you is WHEN.

• I have what I guess to be 10% of the complexes that pay at less than 30 days.
• I would say an additional 15% pay at 30 days.
• 25% pay before 60 days
• 25% pay between 60 and 90 days
• 15% pay after 90 days but do pay at some point, I don't like to recommend these apts
• 10% never pay; those we put on a special list where we don't work with them any longer

My broker has agreed, from July 20 on to send the gift to you, from The Apartment Store for a certain percentage of the commission check we receive from the complex. I am funding part of this but to me the main advantage is that you can follow up with my broker, or her administrative support, to find out if the invoice has been paid.

By the way, if someone skips within 90 days, the complex is within their rights to ask for their commission back. If we have not cut the check to you when this happens, then we won't. We must be paid in order to supply you with a portion of our commissions. It's that simple.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that we are doubling the amount of the rebate I offerred prior to this.

FELONS: Some apartments really don't understand D.A.s

DA - it doesn't mean anything to 99% of Apartment Leasing Agents

In fact, I don't know if the words "Deferred Adjudication" means anything to most of them either. You can have a DA for a Felony or for a Misdemeanor.

I think most leasing agents are just taught "we don't take felonies". The good news is I have the leasing criteria for most apartment complexes and I know the ones that will take a deffered felony (or D.A. or Deferred Adjudication for a Felony.

And I know the ones that won't. I also know the ones with a little wiggle room. I never have the "wiggle room" conversations with anyone but the manager. And you shouldn't either.

In fact, let me locate your next apartment in Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio or any of the nearby cities. It's a FREE service (the apartments pay me) and I specialize in helping families with a DA or Felony or Misdemeanor.

I'm JOHN at you can reach me at 866-285-2100 or at AptFindFelons@gmail.com or fill out this handy form.

FELONS: DA ads produce BIG Results

FELONS: Felon business picking up

It has been only 2 months since I expanded my business past Houston metro

I have now placed former felons in Ft. Worth, Garland, North Dallas, Eustis, San Antonio, Austin, Irving, and the surrounding areas.

Business is good and my customer's are happy. I will forever be tweaking my database to insure I have the latest policies and that my customers are thrilled with my service.

Some people are "unplaceable" due to their prior convictions, for example it is much harder to place someone who must live in a certain area if no apartments will accept that crime and timeframe in the area the client wants to reside. Some apartments will not take felony convictions but will only take deferred felonies; that is why my web form asks the questions it does.

To engage my services, just click on this FIND A TX APT FOR ME form or call me at 866-285-2100.

FELONS: Pick My Brain 4 - No Sex Crimes please

PICK MY BRAIN SERIES, NUMBER 4: NO REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS

I work tirelessly for my clients but I'm not a miracle worker. If you are a Sex Offender who has to register, I can't help you.

If I did manage to get you in an apartment, as soon as the residents knew you were there they will start to lobby the management to get you evicted. I've seen it happen.

My best advice is for you to rent from a private party, a home, a condo, or Garage apartment. You can check out your city's Realtor website (like HAR.COM in Houston) or Craigslist.org.

I can't help you.

© Copyright 2009. 24x7AptFind.com and AptFindFelons.com. All Rights Reserved.

*Like the "Gold Guys" image. I've used this free image with the approval of the artist. To view the free images or for information on purchasing Gold Guys images see http://thegoldguys.blogspot.com/

DALLAS: 20 More DA friendly apartments added to my database

I've found more than 20 new D.A. Apartments in the DFW Metroplex

I've been busy. In the past four weeks I've added over 20 new apartment complexes to my database JUST IN THE DFW METROPLEX that take Deferred Adjudications - called by some as Deferred Felonies.

I won't rest until I've called all the complexes in the area. But I can say now that I have apartments in every price range for people with deferred adjudications.

If you or a member of your household has a D.A. for a felony and need an apartment, click on FIND A TX APT FOR ME and fill out the form. I can reply to most requests within 4 business hours.

If you don't have a deferred felony or felony and need an apartment, click on this link.

FELONS: Tired of complexes saying NO WAY to D.A.

Tired of being Painted with the "Felony" brush

"Felony D.A. – no way"! Ready to do something about it?

Deferred Adjudication for a felony isn’t a conviction but most apartment complexes treat it as a Felony conviction.

Good news is I keep lists of apartments and townhomes that will work with most Deferred Felonies (these are apartments and townhomes that won’t take most felony convictions but they are smart enough to realize your DA isn’t a conviction).

Most of these complexes know that sometimes you can't afford the lawyer and time (or take the risk that you would be convicted).

The good news is I can help and my help is FREE.

Call The Apartment Store at 866-285-2100; be sure to ask for John.

Or, for the easiest way to rent, go to my website and complete this form:
http://www.aptfindfelons.com/Find_TX_Apt

This is a Free Apartment Locating Service and John is a Texas Real Estate
Agent who specializes in helping people rent apts and town homes.

HOUSTON: What's wrong with our Laws

What is wrong with Houston?

Don't get me wrong, I love Houston but it is a very unforgiving city as far as certain laws and apartments are concerned.

I just heard that homeless people, who often can't afford to pay for a lunch or a candy bar are denied the use of restrooms in shops. While I understand this, the lack of public restrooms creates a problem:

Public Urination

Don't get me wrong, I'm not for this, but if someone is discrete, I don't think they should be charged WITH A SEX CRIME. And that is what's going on. There is a big difference between "having to go" and exposing one's self to others. And once someone is "hit" with a sex crimes, you can forget about many jobs, apartments, etc. I don't know how anyone could climb back into society from this designation. And as a taxpayer of Texas, I want these homeless people back in society earning a living and paying taxes.

I just don't understand it.

FELONS: Don't expect miracles

I know you want to move, but you can't expect miracles

What do I mean you can't expect miracles? It means:

1. You may not be able to live in the part of town you want. Apartments that accept felons are not everywhere
2. You may not be able to pay exactly what you want - maybe $50 to $100 a month more then you would like
3. The apartment complex will probably be older - not new and up-to-date
4. You probably won't get a special
5. You may have a larger deposit
6. If you have a Broken Lease or an Eviction, it will limit your choices even more (and probably increase your deposit too)
7. If you have a violent felony or multiple felonies, you will be very limited in your choices
8. If you have a serious Misdemeanor (like assault) coupled with your felony, it is difficult to place you.
   

Your prior life will have its consequences in your present housing. The good thing is that every year that passes since your conviction, will give you more housing choices.

I want to be there to help you at every step along the way. Let's get started today. Fill out my FIND A TX APT FOR ME form by clicking on the link.

© Copyright 2009. 24x7AptFind.com and AptFindFelons.com. All Rights Reserved.

*Like the "Gold Guys" image. I've used this free image with the approval of the artist. To view the free images or for information on purchasing Gold Guys images see http://thegoldguys.blogspot.com/

GENERAL INFORMATION: Section 8 and Felonies don't mix

Section 8 and Felonies of any type don't mix

I had a client today, a veteran, that accepted a Deferred Adjudication for a marijuana felony almost 18 years ago. I started looking for places he would "spend" his Section 8 voucher. I called 20 places. Only 2 would accept him.

People will tell you the DA is a better solution and it doesn't carry the stigma of a Felony conviction. Well in the apartment leasing world - that's not true. I think it stinks.

But at least I was able to help this vet out.

FELONS: DWI Felony Surprise

I had a client tell me a she heard her DWI Felony would be accepted at "Most Complexes"

So I called every complex in the area she wanted to live. Only one-fourth, or 25% of the complexes would accept her. Most had a "No Felony" rule. Some said she could apply after 5, 6, or 7 years. One said "she can live there in 10 years:.

Only 3 will even talk to her now. Is it fair? Maybe not, but it is factual. ANY TYPE OF FELONY WILL HURT YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING AN APARTMENT. Some misdemeanors, like assault, will as well.

If you have a misdemeanor, a deferred felony (deferred adjudication for a felony offense), or a felony, you need the help of a trained locator who specializes in helping felons.

Someone like me.