GENERAL INFORMATION: Two Very Special Leasing Agents

Sometimes the very act of 
trying to HELP 
is all you can do

I'm not successful in placing 100% of my clients - no one is.  I know Leasing Agents that try their best to get client's approved and I always appreciate their efforts, even if they can't place my client.

That is, to me, what makes an outstanding Leasing Agent - and an outstanding person.  One who tries to help - one that will take the extra step to get someone approved, even after they have been turned down.

This month I have 2 leasing agents (for the same company but different properties) who took issues forward to get a "second look" on a rejection, one was successful and one was not.  But they both TRIED and are both super leasing agents in my book.

I consider myself lucky to know them both.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Apartment Manager of the Year - 2009

Never Met Cody, in person, but Her Attitude ROCKS!

I spend a lot of time on the phone. At least 6 hours a day. In fact, so much I wear a headset for 12 hours each day.

In a typical day I might talk to 12 to 15 clients and at least that number of leasing professionals.

So was Cody my number one manager - YES in so many ways.  In terms of sales - No. 

The reason for this award is to recognize the apartment manager who should typify the norm in the residential housing industry - IN MY OPINION.  

What does Cody win?  Nothing, but she knows she made a difference in someones live. And their kids.

You see Cody has the "secret" in working with clients and apartment locator's. She takes the stance that she is in the RENTAL BUSINESS and she looks for reasons to say YES, not reasons to say NO.

Is this like calling the glass half-full instead of half-empty?  I don't think so. I think it is about trying to make sure that she serves her employer, her residents, and her potential residents in making sound business decisions.

Did she turn me down on some clients?  Yes, but she always told me a business reason, that was well thought out, and it was expressed sincerely.

You can't argue with that.

So for all the Cody's out there, I salute you.  And for you that aren't, I hope in 2010 you display more of her attributes.

She is a winner.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Don't drop the "F BOMB"

DON'T DROP THE F-BOMB

It's not what you are thinking...

Strike the word FELONY from your vocabulary if you have a Deferred Adjudication for a Felony (also called a Deferred Felony).  

Why?  Some apartments will consider a DA but will not consider a Felony Conviction.  After all, the Texas law states that after you have completed your probation that the judge will find you NOT GUILTY. Thus, you won't have a Felony Conviction.

And if I send you a list, DON'T CALL THE COMPLEX and ask them if they take Felonies. Not smart at all. Let me check it out.  It is why I'm working for you.  Don't mess up the deal because you may not know the policies of the complex (like I do).

Trust me to deliver.  After all, it's the only way I'm paid.

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: My 2 Requirements when I accept Clients

I have only two Requirements of all my Clients

Nothing makes me break off helping my clients unless one of these two are violated:

1. Complete Honesty.  

I want to place you; I won't judge you. I need to know all your arrests (both misdemeanor and felony) and how the charge was "disposed of" - Conviction, Deferred Adjudication, Dropped, Reduced, etc.

Don't tell me you have "a possession charge" when you have a possession charge, a violent felony, and a Burglary of a Habitation.  

Just lay it all out - I'll find out anyway. I check everyone's record.

2. Complete Dedication to "put my name down" so I can be paid a commission. 

I work hard for my money. I try to make it where you won't lose any of yours. 

Don't tell me that another locator also mentioned a place that I gave you and you want to "put their name down because they will give you $25 more of a gift". If you do, you will never work with me again.

I know you wouldn't work for free.  I can't afford to either.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Now offering to Check Criminal Records

I've Responded to the requests of my clients

My clients really need help to get proper housing and often they don't remember the exact charge, dates, or even whether the conviction was a misdemeanor or felony.

So I've registered for a service to search criminal records.  You have asked for it and now I can offer it.

I will require you to ask me to check your records.  I will review the records to help me place you but I will not provide the records to apartment complexes or to others.  

It is my hope that offering this free service will assist my clients in finding the best housing they can qualify for.

HOUSTON: Do you know where The "Triangle of Death" is?

Houston's Triangle

The Caribbean has the "Bermuda Triangle", Iraq has a triangle of fighting, and Houston has a triangle which has an inordinate amount of crime.  It is known as the "triangle of death" or triangle of crime.

It is on Houston's southwest side and has a triangle of roadways that border the area.

Do you know where it is?  You should and you should be cautious whenever you are near it.  

The triangle I'm speaking of is bordered by Bissonnet Street, 59, and Beltway 8.  

But there are more areas you should be aware of...be cautious and never rent an apartment that you don't feel safe in.

AUSTIN: Only 20 apartments in Austin will accept you until Year 10

Only 20 Places until Year 10

Well, 20 total places for a felony conviction are available. But what applies to you will certainly be less than that number.  Location, price range, availability, and the "crime and time" restriction will certainly affect your choices.

What do I mean by CRIME & TIME?  Many apartments have a rule on when they will consider you for an apartment.  Usually the more "distasteful" a crime is creates their guidelines.  Let me give you 3 examples:

1. A hot check felony may be accepted at year 1 by some complexes since they view their risk as minimal (they will insist that you pay with a money order).

2. A marijuana possession crime may be accepted by some complexes at year 5.  However a dealing or distribution crime may not be accepted until year 10.

3. Some complexes will never take an aggravated felony (weapon or threat used in a crime) or violent crime while others wait for 10 years.

Austin has one of the highest rental rates in Texas.  The owners protect their investment and I know of no places who do not check back to see criminal backgrounds.  Unless you want to risk your application fee, you should call me or submit a form to request my free service.

SAN ANTONIO: Only 28 Apartments accept a Felon in the entire SA area

Only 28 Apartments will accept you until Year 10

Well, 28 total places for a felony conviction are available. But what applies to you will certainly be less than that number.  Location, price range, availability, and the "crime and time" restriction will certainly affect your choices.

What do I mean by CRIME & TIME?  Many apartments have a rule on when they will consider you for an apartment.  Usually the more "distasteful" a crime is creates their guidelines.  Let me give you 3 examples:

1. A hot check felony may be accepted at year 1 by some complexes since they view their risk as minimal (they will insist that you pay with a money order).

2. A marijuana possession crime may be accepted by some complexes at year 5.  However a dealing or distribution crime may not be accepted until year 10.

3. Some complexes will never take an aggravated felony (weapon or threat used in a crime) or violent crime while others wait for 10 years.

Don't believe that your "crime" will "drop off" at year 10 or 12. It just doesn't happen.  Unless you like to risk your application fees, you really should call me.

DFW: Only 118 Apartments will accept a felony until Year 10

Less than 120 Apartments in the entire 

DFW Metroplex

will accept a Felon until year 10

Well,  118 total places for a felony conviction are available. But what applies to you will certainly be less than that number.  Location, price range, availability, and the "crime and time" restriction will certainly affect your choices.

What do I mean by CRIME & TIME?  Many apartments have a rule on when they will consider you for an apartment.  Usually the more "distasteful" a crime is creates their guidelines.  Let me give you 3 examples:

1. A hot check felony may be accepted at year 1 by some complexes since they view their risk as minimal (they will insist that you pay with a money order).

2. A marijuana possession crime may be accepted by some complexes at year 5.  However a dealing or distribution crime may not be accepted until year 10.

3. Some complexes will never take an aggravated felony (weapon or threat used in a crime) or violent crime while others wait for 10 years.


And some places, in fact most places, will never accept a felon.  Don't believe that your arrest and conviction will "drop off" at year 10 or 12. Most apartments in the Internet age will go back a "lifetime" or 99 years.

HOUSTON: Only 39 Apartments will take a Felon until year 10

Only 39 Places until Year 10

Well, 39 total places for a felony conviction are available. But what applies to you will certainly be less than that number.  Location, price range, availability, and the "crime and time" restriction will certainly affect your choices.

What do I mean by CRIME & TIME?  Many apartments have a rule on when they will consider you for an apartment.  Usually the more "distasteful" a crime is creates their guidelines.  Let me give you 3 examples:

1. A hot check felony may be accepted at year 1 by some complexes since they view their risk as minimal (they will insist that you pay with a money order).

2. A marijuana possession crime may be accepted by some complexes at year 5.  However a dealing or distribution crime may not be accepted until year 10.

3. Some complexes will never take an aggravated felony (weapon or threat used in a crime) or violent crime while others wait for 10 years.