Landlords like everybody else have taken it in the shorts in this economic crisis. Why? Because it is the housing industry that is at the heart of the problem, specifically the banking practices that effect the housing industry. The landlord is a person who not only has one property but because it is his business probably has multiple properties. Compounded by that, they have also been affected by all the residents that live in the properties they own. Layoffs, garnishments, and weather expenses all bundle up and the landlord has to manage the reduced income with the increased expenses of the business.
Sometimes they get behind on the mortgage payments. If this has occurred the property may be going into foreclosure. This is not a good situation for anybody, however, as renters the government has put some protections and help in place for you!
The attached article indicates that you will be allowed to continue living in your residence all through the forclosure process and then 90 DAYS AFTER THE FORECLOSURE or until your lease has expired as long as you continue to pay your rent.
Take a copy of this article and then go talk to a lawyer to find out actually what your rights are.
http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/18/real_estate/keep_kicking_out_tenants/index.htm?icid=main|hp-desktop|dl3|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2010%2F02%2F18%2Freal_estate%2Fkeep_kicking_out_tenants%2Findex.htm
It is not the intent of this article to give legal advice. I am not qualified to do so, however, I can point you in the direction of those who can help.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Early in the game.
One of the most important things to do during financial hardship is to decide early in the game what your priorities are, and what, if necessary you could do without or minimize. IF YOU TRY TO HOLD ON TO TOO MUCH AS THE TIMES GET HARDER YOU WILL LOSE IT ANYWAY. And, you could also lose what you wanted most to hold on to. Preparation is the most important thing and it starts in the mind.
If decisions are made early you can use the money you save for other things. Example, you have deluxe cable with all the channels. If you are not willing to give it up entirely can you go to minimum service. The longer you pay for the deluxe the more your resources are depleted. Most of our decisions are not nearly so easy. If you are making a car payment can you sell it and buy one cash? Still to easy? Where would you need to live if you loose your job? Could you afford your home? For how long? Admittedly, it's getting harder. So, for now let's just end with asking ourselves....
What more can I do?
If decisions are made early you can use the money you save for other things. Example, you have deluxe cable with all the channels. If you are not willing to give it up entirely can you go to minimum service. The longer you pay for the deluxe the more your resources are depleted. Most of our decisions are not nearly so easy. If you are making a car payment can you sell it and buy one cash? Still to easy? Where would you need to live if you loose your job? Could you afford your home? For how long? Admittedly, it's getting harder. So, for now let's just end with asking ourselves....
What more can I do?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Economy Update - McDonalds
I have just heard the most disturbing news concerning the economy that I have heard thus far. Our local McDonalds has had 250 applications for one job opening!
Will post more about this later but this is a big one!
Will post more about this later but this is a big one!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
America's #1 cause of death & ruin - Stubbornness.
Americans greatest strength is our independence and determination. We speak our minds and stand for our rights. We reach for the stars and then set out to get there. Proud to be an American and understand why so many others risk their lives to be here among us.
But, as is often the case, our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness.
Recently I contemplated the near ruin of two people, financially, health, and job. They are totally different and have totally different lifestyles. Although I could go into all the details it probably would not be wise. But, as I have watched the situations develop over the last year or more I realized one thing they had in common: stubbornness. They had received an abundance of good advice, they had plenty of time to make changes, but they choose to move forward in the same direction despite the warnings of others who cared about them.
Now don't think this was terrible and immoral things they did and I realized that all of us have this same stubborn streak. It is part of our independence, culture, and free will. For some it comes out in eating another bag of chips when the scale tips 200, for someone else it might be just one more time with the maxed out credit cards, another it might be putting off looking for a new job. All can lead to consequences that we do not want but could have foreseen had we chosen to listen, learn, and change.
As I reflected I wondered...If the truth be told...how many of us would have Stubbornness as the cause of death on the death certificate. I suspect it would top cancer, heart disease, or any other known disease.
But, as is often the case, our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness.
Recently I contemplated the near ruin of two people, financially, health, and job. They are totally different and have totally different lifestyles. Although I could go into all the details it probably would not be wise. But, as I have watched the situations develop over the last year or more I realized one thing they had in common: stubbornness. They had received an abundance of good advice, they had plenty of time to make changes, but they choose to move forward in the same direction despite the warnings of others who cared about them.
Now don't think this was terrible and immoral things they did and I realized that all of us have this same stubborn streak. It is part of our independence, culture, and free will. For some it comes out in eating another bag of chips when the scale tips 200, for someone else it might be just one more time with the maxed out credit cards, another it might be putting off looking for a new job. All can lead to consequences that we do not want but could have foreseen had we chosen to listen, learn, and change.
As I reflected I wondered...If the truth be told...how many of us would have Stubbornness as the cause of death on the death certificate. I suspect it would top cancer, heart disease, or any other known disease.
Monday, July 6, 2009
How quickly things can change!
The phone call! Who expected it? The announcement that due to lower volumes the staff would be cut in half. It affects everybody. The bosses, the ones who stay, but, mostly the ones who go. When it's someone else we shake our heads and are thankful that it is not us. But, in this economy it can be only a phone call away.
What can we do?
Listen, listen, listen. Listen to the news and be aware of what's going on. Listen to the money saving tips on TV, the online news, and books. Listen to your employer. What skills and strengths do they need and value right now. Do you have them, can you develop them?
Talk about it. Not the poor me kind of talk or the all the time talk but the positive exchange of ideas and needs. If you need health insurance a friend may know where to get it at a resonable price. If you are getting rid of a couch a person you know may need one at low cost.
Do. Nothing takes the place of doing. If you know what you need to do don't put it off. Each change you makes that moves you in the right direction will move you farther along.
But what does any of this have to do with being laid off? The weather report is on everyday but if we don't pay attention we may not know the storm clouds are coming, if we don't talk about it we may not know what we need to do, and we may not grab the umbrella. So it is with the ecomomy. The downturn has been going on for long enough that we all have heard. It's not over yet. And the more people it hits, the more it will hit. If it's raining all around us at some point we may get wet.
What can we do?
Listen, listen, listen. Listen to the news and be aware of what's going on. Listen to the money saving tips on TV, the online news, and books. Listen to your employer. What skills and strengths do they need and value right now. Do you have them, can you develop them?
Talk about it. Not the poor me kind of talk or the all the time talk but the positive exchange of ideas and needs. If you need health insurance a friend may know where to get it at a resonable price. If you are getting rid of a couch a person you know may need one at low cost.
Do. Nothing takes the place of doing. If you know what you need to do don't put it off. Each change you makes that moves you in the right direction will move you farther along.
But what does any of this have to do with being laid off? The weather report is on everyday but if we don't pay attention we may not know the storm clouds are coming, if we don't talk about it we may not know what we need to do, and we may not grab the umbrella. So it is with the ecomomy. The downturn has been going on for long enough that we all have heard. It's not over yet. And the more people it hits, the more it will hit. If it's raining all around us at some point we may get wet.
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