FELONS: Dress for Success, an example

Found this cartoon, it makes a valid point - Dress for Success

Part of the "Pick My Brain Series"

When I saw this cartoon, I was reminded of a story I heard about a Houston apartment manager who runs "a second chance" apartment complex.

She is tough and takes no B.S. from anyone.  I sent a client over but he was "housing" (or wearing his jeans low esposing his underwear) when he arrived.  The manager told him "I rent to felons but I don't rent to THUGS. Come back when you can dress right".

He did come back in Dockers and a polo shirt and she did rent to him.   But this story illustrates the point: Dress Nicely.  Don't come straight from the job site if you are in construction.  Take a shower and wear something that you would wear to see your grandmother.

After all, it is an apartment manager you are seeing.  He or she can control where you live and you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Dress like you want the place.

GENERAL INFORMATION: My credit report is WRONG and I need to lease

My Credit Report is WRONG and I need to Lease!

What Do I Do?

Let's use the example that someone has two Broken Leases on their credit - one for $1200 is INVALID and one for $236 is valid. Here's what I would advise:

1. Run your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
2. Be sure to pick all 3 credit agencies and DISPUTE the incorrect BL on each. Print out your credit report on each one too (so you can show it to the new complex you are interested in).
3. Do not (unless you want to pay for it) pick your credit scores or ID theft protection; these are chargeable services.
4. Call the complex where you owe the $236 and make arrangements to pay them off; at this point tell them you can make 4 payments of $59. Get it in writing or you will not get any specials from any complex (and the specials should be worth more than the $236.
5. I will call the new complex and prepare the way for you so call me when the above steps are completed.
6. Go to new complex with the credit reports and the letter to the old complex where you will be making payments. The new complex may require the old place (the one accepting the payment arrangements) to give you a letter from them on their letterhead.

Then, be sure to follow up on the disputed item and make sure it is removed. Run your credit report every year. I suggest you run your credit on your birthday so you won't forget.

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.

HOUSTON: We have a Problem! My Criminal History is wrong on the RCR Report.

HELP - What do I do, the Houston Apartment Association RCR report is wrong...

This does happen, rarely, but it happens and can take the form of improper credit reporting, improper rental history or improper criminal history. When the report is wrong here's what I suggest as the best two alternatives:

1. Find an apartment complex that doesn't use the HAA RCR report for verification


2. Get the RCR (Rental Credit Reporting) report corrected. You really should do this anyway since you may need an apartment at a later time that uses this popular report. Here's how to fix it (this text is from the RCR report owner):


If you recently applied for housing or employment and/or would like to receive a copy of your FADVSafeRent consumer file, please visit our website at www.residentscreening.com, click on Consumer Relations and then Downloadable Forms to download a Request for Disclosure Packet. Your Disclosure request will be processed promptly as soon as we receive your written request. If you are in a hurry, you may indicate on the Disclosure Request form that you wish to choose an alternate method of receiving disclosure of your FADVSafeRent consumer file.


If you already know the contents of your FADVSafeRent consumer file and wish to dispute information which you believe to be inaccurate or incomplete, please visit our website at www.residentscreening.com, click on Consumer Relations and then click Downloadable Forms to download a Request for Reinvestigation Packet. Please be advised that a reinvestigation may take up to 30 days from the date we receive your written request. You will be notified once your reinvestigation is complete.


For more information, see the Houston Apartment Association website at www.HAAonline.org.

FELONS: Don't apply on the weekends

Don't Apply on the Weekend

Why? Because the manager isn't there.  The manager doesn't always make the decision, in some cases, your application will be sent to Corporate, but the manager has a chance

to influence your acceptance.

The manager can advise you on what materials to include (letters, references, etc.). Applying without the manager, is just increasing the odds you won't be accepted.

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.  

FELON: Testimonial posted today from a thankful daughter

They were tired of the Brick Wall the felony was creating for them

I received a testimonial today from a thankful daughter.  I helped her find an apartment for her mother who had a felony in her distant past.  Of course, her mom was having a problem finding an apartment:


Hey John,
My mom signed a lease yesterday, and she did put your name down.  The unit number is 250.  I want to thank you again so much for helping us.  It is truly a blessing that we were able to get her an apartment when there were so many brick walls before.  I think what you do is great and we were so lucky to find you.  I hope you are very successful in this business and God bless you!
Thank you,
E.Z.


I can help over 80% of felons find apartments or townhouses in Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, or San Antonio.  Chances are, if your not a sex offender, I can find you a place.


Call me at 866-285-2100 or click on this link to have me FIND A TX APT.  This is a FREE service; I bill the apartments.

FELONS: Don't you wish they had a Sign?

Don't you wish they advertised that their Apartment was "Felon Friendly"...

Well, we all know why they don't.  The apartments want certain felons but not others and they don't want the "non-felons" knowing they will accept people with a background.

Let's face it, you wouldn't want your kids living next to some felons.  You wouldn't want to live next to some either.  

The apartments and their insurance companies (yes, many of the guidelines are crafted because of insurance concerns) decide who to take a risk on.  If you haven't been in trouble for 6, 7, or 10 years, then I can get you a great apartment just about anywhere in Houston, DFW, Austin or San Antonio.  

Does that mean you can live exactly where you want?  It means I can generally find you an apartment in your price range in the side of town you want to live in.  And I can tell you if there is a nicer place in a nearby area.

I want you and your family living in the nicest place possible.  You deserve it - after all, you've turned your life around!


To request my services, just call 866-285-2100 and ask for John, "the Felony Expert" or click on the AptFindFelons.com link and complete the FIND A TX APT form.