Renter Confidential

We recently interviewed Mr. Shawn Sims regarding his rental experiences in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Shawn is definitely a character, to say the least and if you haven’t seen the interview in its entirety the link is in the show notes below.  There were some powerful lessons from Shawn's story for everyone out there struggling with the rental market, especially if your rental and financial history is a bit challenged.  While your situation may not be as dire as Shawn’s was, learning from his experience will help make your experience the best it can be.  That’s what’s on tap for this episode of Renter Confidential!
 
Shawn's Interview - Bad Rap? No Problem! - Overcoming Your Past To Find An Apartment (https://youtu.be/Y8TeIr0Lvr4)
Sponsor: Apartment Search Secrets (RentalSecrets.net)

Today we’re interviewing Mister Shawn Sims who lives in Dallas, Texas. While he currently works in the utility industry installing electrical meters, he’s worked in fast food, delivery, laundry services, and more.  As you’ll hear this jack of many trades overcame a number of obstacles to land an apartment.  Shawn’s had trouble with the law, trouble managing his finances, and trouble with roommates.  It was an emotional rollercoaster of a journey. So if you think you’re having trouble finding a place to rent  I have no doubt that Shawn’s journey is just the dose of sunshine and hope that you’re looking for.    The interview will be presented as Part 1.  Part 2, which will be out next week, will cover the lessons from Shawn’s journey that you can apply in your own rental search.
 
Sponsors:
Rental Secrets (https://rentalsecrets.net/rentalsecrets-amazon) 
Apartment Search Secrets (RentalSecrets.net)

How can you present yourself as a sexy, savvy renter to landlords when you’re out looking for rental apartments?  When you know how to speak to people in their language, they’re more likely to hear what you have to say and look at you in a more favorable light.  We’re talking sexy rental language on today’s episode of Renter Confidential!
 
Sponsor: Apartment Search Secrets (RentalSecrets.net)
 
Sources:
“Episode #8.3”, Top Gear. Created by Derek Smith, Season 8, Episode3, BBC Two, 1982. (https://amzn.to/48BnWRP)

You’ve had an amazing week.  Not one but two job offers have come your way. There were others, but these were the two you wanted.  Despite the fact that both jobs will require you to relocate, you’re ready for the challenge. Regardless of which job you choose, you’ll be renting a new apartment.  But, different states will bring different laws, taxes, and pressures.  But, you have no idea how any of these will affect you as a renter.  And that’s what we’re covering today of Renter Confidential!
 
Sponsor: Rental Secrets (https://rentalsecrets.net/rentalsecrets-amazon) 
Sources:
States With Local Income Taxes
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/cities-that-levy-income-taxes-3193246
 
10 States With the Highest Sales Taxes
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/state-tax/603200/states-with-the-highest-sales-taxes
 
Property Taxes By State: A Comparative Look At The Highest To Lowest States
https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/property-taxes-by-state
 
Rent Control Laws by State
https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/rent-control
 
Worst 10 State Financeshttps://www.truthinaccounting.org/news/detail/financial-state-of-the-states-2021

Searching for apartments has been exhausting.  You’ve lost count of how many properties you’ve visited.  At every turn, you’ve been told the apartment has just been rented, but they can add you to the waitlist.  Yeah, sure add me to the waitlist with the dozens, if not hundreds, of other people who are already on it.  You’re doing your best not to get discouraged, but when they say they’ll add you to the waitlist you just hear “No apartment for you today!”  Is there actually, really any chance that anyone will ever call you from a waiting list?  Let’s talk rental waiting lists.  This is Renter Confidential!
 
Sponsor: Apartment Search Secrets (RentalSecrets.net)
 
Sources:
iProperty Management - Moving Statistics
https://ipropertymanagement.com/research/moving-statistics
 
“Leda and the Swan, Part I”, NCIS: New Orleans, Created by Gary Glasberg, Season 7, Episode 7, CBS Studios, 2021. (https://amzn.to/3rjDMjn)

One day a young lady came to my office looking to rent an apartment.  She’d been renting a mobile home just outside of town.  She proceeded to tell me the story about why she was looking.  The previous week she’d seen two people walking on the property that she’d never seen before approaching her mobile home. She was shocked to learn that they were the property manager and the property owner.  Neither the property manager nor the owner knew that she’d been living there.  Her mobile home had been on a list of units to remodel and they were just now getting to it. It turns out the maintenance person had dressed up, met her at the property, gave her a tour and an application.  Once she’d decided to rent, he collected the application fee, security deposit, and all the rent she’d paid for the past four months! We’re talking rental fraud & scams today!  This is Renter Confidential!  
Home rental scams are popping up again, realtor finds his listing copied by thieveshttps://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/06/26/home-rental-scams-are-popping-up-again-realtor-finds-his-listing-copied-by-thieves/
Million Dollar Scam: Rental Fraud Costs 5.2 Million U.S. Rentershttps://www.apartmentlist.com/research/how-common-is-rental-fraud-scams
The Producers. Directed by Susan Stroman, performances by Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart, and Jon Lovitz,   Universal Pictures, 2005. (https://amzn.to/3PkKrBL)

You’re concerned about how you're going to navigate the apartment rental process and not get taken advantage of.  The last time your parents rented anything was fifty years ago.  You’ve heard way too many horror stories to count and you feel like you’re at an informational disadvantage dealing with landlords and property managers.  Well, today we are leveling the informational playing field on this episode of Renter Confidential!
 
Sponsor: Apartment Search Secrets (RentalSecrets.net)
Sources:
"The War of Art", The Simpsons, Created by Matt Groening, Season 25, Episode 15, Fox Broadcasting Company, 2014. (https://amzn.to/460b85e)
 
“Commencement”, Modern Family, Created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, Season 10, Episode 21, American Broadcasting Company, 2019. (https://amzn.to/3PdTQLj)

The security deposit and first month’s rent have been paid and the lease has been signed.  You’re now ready to start your new life.  But, you’ve been so busy, focused on getting this move done, that you may not have taken stock of exactly how much trust you’ve placed in a landlord that you’ve only recently met.  Today, we’re examining just how much trust that might be. This is Renter Confidential!
 
Sponsor: Rental Secrets (https://amzn.to/3P1xSLw) 
 
Sources: 
'Pattern of abuse'? Tenants allege Purdue prof's rental properties unsafe
https://www.purdueexponent.org/city_state/article_1cdedf14-06f2-11ee-aaed-3704efc78cbb.html
 
The Super. Directed by Rod Daniel, performances by Joe Pesci, Vincent Gardenia, and Madolyn Smith Osborne, Largo Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox, 1991.(https://amzn.to/45q3zVV)