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 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: 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/

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/

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.

DALLAS: What's worse - a Felony or an Eviction

Both mean NO DON'T BOTHER US to about 90% of Apartment Complexes

It's like asking you - which is worse, a broken leg or a broken arm -- both hurt. Both will hurt your chances of renting in the future. I really think less places will accept you with an unpaid off Eviction than with a felony. If you pay off the Eviction and you have a good story (like a roommate skipped out on you or it was caused by medical problems) then many apartment complexes will work with you.

But if you owe an apartment complex money, then you really only have the 3rd tier of properties that will accept you UNLESS YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANT GOOD RENTAL HISTORY AFTER THE EVICTION AND A GOOD STORY TO TELL.

At least that's the story in the DFW Metroplex. If you do have an Eviction or a Felony (deferred adjudication or conviction) then you do you the help of a trained apartment locator, like myself. I offer this service Free to my clients, the apartment complexes pay for my services.

You can contact me at my e-mail or at 866-285-2100.

FELONS: Will the apartment complex accept me?

To be Accepted - we all want that.

And, I'm never sure until they accept you that it is going to work out. I can understand their policies but in some cases, the management and regional management must make a call on whether they feel that you pose any risk to their multi-million dollar investment - their complex.

I've had some clients who are themselves surprised with things that pop up - like broken leases that appear on their credit report when they don't know of them ahead of time (that's why I suggest that everyone runs their own credit report).

I do everything I can do to make sure the complex will accept you, including calling the manager of the complex before you apply. That is why I encourage you to call me first.

I too have a vested interest in the apartment accepting you -- that is the only way I'm paid a commission.

FELONS: Having a Tough Time Finding a decent apartment?

You thought your legal problems ended at the courthouse...

You never knew that most apartment complexes wouldn't want you to live at their complex. But I can help. I know the apts and town houses that will give you the second chance you deserve.

I specialize in helping felons who have turned their life around. I am dedicated to helping you and your family find the best housing available.

I won't kid you - it's not easy. But my database of apartments is broken down by TIME and CRIME. I can help over 90% of my applicants find apartments.

But, don't bother me if you won't commit to using me as your Referral Source - it takes me over 3 times longer to place you than a client without a criminal conviction. And like anybody, if I'm going to invest hours of my time, I want to be paid.

The good news is that the apartments will pay my fee out of their marketing budget. So my service is FREE to you.

How do you start? Select this link and complete a FIND A TX APT FOR ME. I must have complete information. I am able to place Houston applicants now and I'm working on my database for DFW, Austin, and San Antonio. I expect to have my database work completed for DFW in July, San Antonio in early August, and Austin in late August.

Let's get started towards finding you and your family the decent housing you deserve.

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

FELONS: PDF Business Card here and on my site

PDF Business Card on my specialty website: AptFindFelons.com

Felons have it tough - even after they have "paid their debt to society" and are leading productive lives.

Do you know that only 39 apartment complexes in Houston, the 4th largest city in the U.S., will allow a felon to live there (before 6 years have elasped). More at 7 years. Double that at 10 years. DFW, San Antonio, and Austin really aren't any better.

But the felon or the family of someone convicted of a felony not only needs an apartment locator - they need an apartment locator that specializes in helping felons.

To my knowledge, I'm the only people with a web site devoted to helping felons. I try to put you and your family in the nicest place possible. I know that many other apartment finders just have a list of crummy apartments that take felons and they send the list and "wash their hands of you".

I'm not like that. Call me or visit my web site that is designed for felons and their families: www.AptFindFelons.com. The site serves the largest metro areas in Texas (Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio). I've also added a link to the PDF Business Card and my AptFindFelons Testimonials page to this blog posting.

JOHN AT THE APARTMENT STORE

FELONS: It's been YEARS - why are the Apartments still treating me like in in Jail?

The image above is how many apartment and town home properties see you. But I know the ones that don't.

I know the ones who want your business. I also know the ones that will rent to you after 3 years, 5 years, 6 years, 7 years, and 10 years. Every year FROM YOUR CONVICTION, more and more complexes will rent to you.

But you have to know how to look for an apartment. The answer is WITH A PRO LIKE ME HELPING YOU.

My service is Free, all you need to do is agree to write my name on all Guest Cards and Applications and get back to me letting me know when you sign a lease and again when you move in (you can use a handy Email form to apply for my services and another form to keep me up to date on how your search is going.

This link starts your search: http://www.aptfindfelons.com/Find_TX_Apt.html

This link keeps me informed once we are working together (don't use it before I send you a list of complexes): http://www.aptfindfelons.com/Contact_Us.html

Feel more at home with a phone than the web? If so, call me at:

Apartment Find Felons

ask for JOHN AT THE APARTMENT STORE
(281) 681-3434 Main Office

(281) 203-6000 Home Office

(866) 285-2100 Toll Free
AptFindFelons@Gmail.com

P.S. I understand and I care. Helping you to get a nice place is my PASSION.

(c) Copyright 2009. AptFIndFelons.com and 24x7AptFind.com. All Rights Reserved.

FELONS: 12 Rules of Thumb every Felon and their family should know

A DOZEN THINGS FELONS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SEARCHING FOR A TEXAS APARTMENT

I can't say these rules apply to you. They are generalities, or Rules of Thumb, that apply 80% of the time:

1. I can help – and I do help. If you have a criminal conviction, especially a felony, you need someone working for you that uses a powerful database that is enhanced - not just the standard database that any locator or finder can purchase. I have such a database with the Felony Policies of most Houston apartment complexes as well as Dallas - Ft. Worth metroplex, Austin and San Antonio apartments.

2. You need someone who will get involved and call apartment management when you have a special situation. Many apartment finding
companies won't devote the time to help you. I will.

3. The base price for a 1 Bedroom apartment for a person with a felony conviction
is $500 (subject to change). Nothing cheaper. The base price for a 2 Bedroom is $700.

4. The longer the time since your felony, the better your chance at getting accepted. Does that mean you shouldn't call me if your felony was last year? No, I can place you but there are fewer complexes that will consider you than at year 5 or year 10. That's a fact.

5. The chances for placement go down, way down, for multiple felonies. You might have as little as 4 complexes in your city if your felony was this year.

6. Your likelihood of placement go down if your felony was a large amount of drugs, a violent crime, a sexual crime, or a robbery of a habitat or automobile.

7. How you discuss your situation with the apartment management matters. Appearance matters too.

8. Your employment matters. A waiter/waitress position, fast food worker, a transient employment record, etc,, will be looked at with more skepticism than a position with more permanent position.

9. The number of crimes, both misdemeanors and felonies matter.

10. Specials probably won't apply to you. I can't claim it's fair - just the facts.

11. If your mate or live-in has a felony, you will lose your application fee unless you go to the apartments that accept felons. Texas apartment law mandates that everyone over 18 being on the lease. In the same manner, if your 19 year old son or daughter has a felony, then you need my help for the same reason.

12. No apartment manager that I have ever talked to, will accept any child molester. Period. I have placed murderers. But never anyone convicted of a sexual crime against a child. If this applies to you, rent from a private citizen; either a room, trailer, or a small home.

Contact John at AptFindFelons@Gmail.com today! I promise to treat your matter confidentially and to treat you with respect. There is no fee for my service; just put my name on the guest card and application. The apartment pays my fee.

It takes me at least 3 times the time to place a felon. If you aren't going to put my name down and COMMIT to work with me --Don't call me. I have people to help and, like you, I want to be paid for my efforts. And the only way I get paid is when you put my name down on EVERY Guest Card and Application. I won't chase after you. I expect to send you an e-mail with the complexes that will accept you. I don't have the time to read off the ones that will. If you don't have a computer and you can't get to a friends or a library, I expect you to answer your cell phone when I call - promptly.

If you won't respect my efforts and my time, then I don't want to work with you. Call someone else. If you will commit to me, I will promise to help you.

And, If you do put me on the Guest card and Application, I will send you a gift card if you Email me with your Move-In date (or use the handy UPDATE ME form on my Website. My full Gift Card policy is on this page as well.

To speak to me call:

General E-mail: AptFindFelons@Gmail.com
Web: AptFindFelons.com
Office: 281-681-3434
Toll Free: 866-285-2100
Home Ofc: 281-203-6000

P.S. To find a TX apartment or Town home the easy way go to my personal web site AptFindFelons.com and use our FIND ME A TEXAS APT Email Form at AptFindFelons.com today!

(c) Copyright 2009. AptFindFelons.com. All Rights Reserved.