Am I Gonna be Homeless?!

[Des10a]

Ok so lawyer said we should include the house! Filing Chapter 7 and just started this process. Haven't been paying or charging on any Credit Cards since June 2007, but I have been current on my House loan, Car Loan, and all Utilities. Lawyer said stop paying for the house and include it (tenative file date December 1, 2007).

We are currently Upside down on our house loan (owe more than its worth) and we are on a option ARM currently paying the mimimum payment (which means we tack on to our current owed amount every month)....so we owe $5000.00 more than we owed last year on our mortgage and we can't afford to increase our payments. Can't refinance because of being upside down and no houses are selling in my area right now.

Ok so yes I think I should include the house but....YIKES!!! Where do I live! I've read just about everything I can find on Rent to Own, Contract for Deed, Renting with Bad Credit.....and I'm afraid SERIOUSLY AFRAID!!!! I have two kids, two dogs, a cat, and my dear husband in the mix! Help me please I need some advice! I'm so stressed and have been spending so much time on the computer trying to research this I can't remember the last week! We are losing the house we love and built, had our babies in...we set our roots down...I'm devastated and the thought of having to beg for someplace to live.....Help!

[BassBoy]

You will not have to beg. Although it can be difficult to rent an apartment after a BK, so you will have more suggestions for renting a house from a private owner. Many of our members have chosen this route and have had good luck, myself included. Private owners may not even run your credit.

Since you're filing in early Dec., you have some time to begin making inquiries. Don't be afraid or ashamed to inform them of what the situation is. Be honest. If the homeowner/landlord feels you and your family would be good tenants, he/she may be willing to overlook this hick-up and allow you to occupy their place.

Do not worry yourself, you and your family will be just fine.

[6sillywalkers]

My heart goes out to you..

I am new to these forums but I read your post and got emotional. I feel your pain. I tend to get emotionally attached to the homes I live in (my husband thinks I am nuts). This home we have now was my dream home we went through a lot to obtain this home. I have moved a lot in my life and this home is the only place I have lived in for longer than 3 years. Now after putting my heart and soul into my home I fear I am going to loose it because I know we can no longer afford to keep living here. My husband has taken a huge pay cut and he makes half what we used to.

Don't be too discouraged about finding a home. I have family who work for Rental Management companies and they rent to people with bad credit. It all depends on the owner and if they feel you are not going to run out on them. Tell them your situation and I am sure you will be able to find something. Another idea is to ask around to friends, family, your church, local play groups, etc. to see if they know of anyone who has a home for rent, get the word out. Chances are a personal referral from a friend or a friend of a friend will get you a long way.

My heart goes out to you and keep us updated on your progress and situation.

[CindyLou]

I rented a very nice apartment 3 blocks from the beach in an upscale neighborhood in the big middle of my chapter 7! I'll tell you the story and it can give you some hope!! It was through a private landlord that advertised through a local service here in California. It was funny because when we decided to look we had said we were just "going to be upfront!!" It was a week before Christmas and the older lady we spoke to on the phone sounded so sweet. Well one of the first things she said when we walked into the apartment was "Ok, first of all we don't believe in credit checks. We want a previous reference from a landlord and would like to see 2 checkstubs from your job. If you have bad credit that's your business. We don't care and don't want to know." I felt like a miracle had happened!! BUT bad news was the apartment was on a busy lound street and I was working night shift, so we couldn't take it.

So I have her my number and she told me she would call me if something came up. Would you believe she called me on Christmas Morning 2005 (we filed Oct 2005) and said, "We just got notice in one of our Rent Control Apts. by the beach that our tenant needs to move by Jan 31st. Its 2 BR....You want to look at it today?" I cried all the way over there.I was so happy. I am sitting here today writing this still thankful for this lady named Bess that doesn't believe in Credit Checks. I'd rather be in a house. But if I can't, then I am thankful to be in a rent control apt. paying 30% less than market rate than the person across the street in the same apt!!!! (for those of you who are not familiar with rent control....it was impletmented in some major cities in years past to help stop rent inflation and only very few units are still "tagged" with this designation ...it's not government assistance and not income related...its unit/building related)

Bess also believes in holding rents checks as long as you need her to each month. As long as you give it to her by the 1st you can put any date you like. She will even ask you sometimes, "honey, are you sure you want to date this check for the 1st...you don't need more time?" isn't she funny?????? The apartment is always in perfect condition! Something breaks. Its fixed the next day.

Moral of the story...there are some GOOD people out there that are willing to help you. The Besses of the world will rent to the BK's of the world. You just have to have faith. If everybody that filed BK were homeless, you would just need to go on pacer and print out the homeless shelter roster!!!

You have time to start looking. It won't be easy and believe me I didn't find Bess in one phone call!!! I had people almost laugh at me at some of the larger properties. But whatever!!!

[dscurlock]

Ok so lawyer said we should include the house! Filing Chapter 7 and just started this process. Haven't been paying or charging on any Credit Cards since June 2007, but I have been current on my House loan, Car Loan, and all Utilities. Lawyer said stop paying for the house and include it (tenative file date December 1, 2007).

We are currently Upside down on our house loan (owe more than its worth) and we are on a option ARM currently paying the mimimum payment (which means we tack on to our current owed amount every month)....so we owe $5000.00 more than we owed last year on our mortgage and we can't afford to increase our payments. Can't refinance because of being upside down and no houses are selling in my area right now.

Ok so yes I think I should include the house but....YIKES!!! Where do I live! I've read just about everything I can find on Rent to Own, Contract for Deed, Renting with Bad Credit.....and I'm afraid SERIOUSLY AFRAID!!!! I have two kids, two dogs, a cat, and my dear husband in the mix! Help me please I need some advice! I'm so stressed and have been spending so much time on the computer trying to research this I can't remember the last week! We are losing the house we love and built, had our babies in...we set our roots down...I'm devastated and the thought of having to beg for someplace to live.....Help!

just for the sake of it, why dont you just go talk to a couple apartment managers and tell them "if i have a bk, would i have a hard time renting..." and see what they say...couldnt hurt, or better yet, have your new aparment secured and ready to go before you file...

[dscurlock]

I am new to these forums but I read your post and got emotional. I feel your pain. I tend to get emotionally attached to the homes I live in (my husband thinks I am nuts). This home we have now was my dream home we went through a lot to obtain this home. I have moved a lot in my life and this home is the only place I have lived in for longer than 3 years. Now after putting my heart and soul into my home I fear I am going to loose it because I know we can no longer afford to keep living here. My husband has taken a huge pay cut and he makes half what we used to.

Don't be too discouraged about finding a home. I have family who work for Rental Management companies and they rent to people with bad credit. It all depends on the owner and if they feel you are not going to run out on them. Tell them your situation and I am sure you will be able to find something. Another idea is to ask around to friends, family, your church, local play groups, etc. to see if they know of anyone who has a home for rent, get the word out. Chances are a personal referral from a friend or a friend of a friend will get you a long way.

My heart goes out to you and keep us updated on your progress and situation.

I do not have that same attachment to homes... someone offers my wife $20-30k raise, i have no problems moving...