| If you’re going through foreclosure, or have recently | | | | an option if you can avoid it. You may feel you’re |
| lost your home to foreclosure, your primary concern is | | | | out of alternatives, but one creative idea may save |
| probably finding a place to live. As you know, it can be | | | | you from being completely homeless while you look |
| difficult to get your first new housing after your | | | | for an apartment or house you can lease. |
| foreclosure. Even people who are sympathetic with | | | | |
| your situation may not feel able to rent to you with a | | | | This idea may sound a little odd, and it’s not |
| very fresh foreclosure on your credit report. | | | | something you would do by choice, but it can be a |
| | | | | good short-term option while you shop for other |
| A good first idea is to talk to small, independent | | | | opportunities. |
| landlords. They may have small apartment buildings or | | | | |
| own duplexes or town homes. If you explain your | | | | You can rent a camping space for only a few dollars |
| situation, are honest about the foreclosure, and can | | | | a night, and most cities have campgrounds nearby. In |
| present a plan showing how you’re going to meet | | | | reasonably temperate areas, at least part of the year, |
| your rent obligation, many of them will be willing to | | | | you can purchase a tent for a few tens of dollars. |
| listen. | | | | You may not like the idea of living in a tent, but |
| | | | | you’ll have access to showers and a place to |
| It is not worth your time to talk to large apartment | | | | sleep at night. |
| complexes. They have very strict credit rules. Even a | | | | |
| manager who likes you and believes you will pay the | | | | Many people do actually live in campgrounds, and like it. |
| rent may not have the authority to rent to you. Just | | | | You may be able to find an older camper trailer for a |
| about the only thing you can get from these | | | | very affordable price, and actually have a small home |
| complexes is discouragement. But smaller landlords | | | | while you work your way up to affording an |
| may be willing to work with you. | | | | apartment. Either of these campground options can |
| | | | | work if you have no other choices. |
| If you cannot get a lease, look for subleases in your | | | | |
| area. Quite often you won’t have to go through a | | | | Your goal, in finding somewhere (anywhere) to stay |
| credit check with the landlord, and if you can make the | | | | after your foreclosure is to have some sort of choice. |
| deposit with the person who leases the apartment, | | | | You may not be able to live as you’ve been |
| you can move in. When the sublease is up, you will | | | | accustomed, but as long as you have somewhere to |
| have proven that you can and will meet your rent | | | | stay in the weeks after you lose your home, you have |
| obligation, and you can use your landlord as a | | | | options. You’re not homeless if you live |
| reference. | | | | somewhere, and just not being homeless lets you |
| | | | | continue working, or look for a new job, or find other |
| If you cannot lease or sublet an apartment, you may | | | | ways of qualifying for a rental. And you keep your |
| feel a little (or a lot) desperate. You cannot afford to | | | | self-respect, which is the most valuable thing you own. |
| live in a hotel, obviously, and living on the street is not | | | | |