Cuz I’m movin’ on up!
Despite having been month-to-month for the past 2 years of the 2.5 years I’ve been in this dinky apartment, the landlords who bought the place a year ago are pressuring me hard to sign a lease by the end of June (then July), or move out by the end of July. Because there’s a Seventh-Day Adventist university here in town, and they don’t want to take the chance of me leaving after the beginning of the school year when everyone has already found housing.
(Of course, if they were looking at reality then they’d realize that 5 of the 6 units in the building were filled during the school year, but whatever: They can demand what they want when I’m in a month-to-month.)
The 3 kids are currently sharing a 6×9 jail cell, and the space has not been working for us for a while. It’s impossible to even keep clean anymore, and frankly all this clutter and mess is not good for the mental health either. Everything is suffering.
I thought I was going to be able to get a 3-bedroom apartment that fell in my lap and I knew it was from God, but then that didn’t work out. I was slightly disgruntled, because I was ignoring how bad things were here until that option came up. “What the heck, God?!” I realized that I would have never started looking if it weren’t for the first place being tossed in my lap and making me admit to myself how bad things are here. (It’s a nice place, it’s just way too small!) But I wasn’t looking because I’ve never had extra cash for a security deposit, and my credit is bad, too (I hear lots of rentals are requiring credit these days, too). But I knew there was a good chance he had better for me, and that could have very well been the reason that he made me realize that it might be possible afterall, even with no money saved.
And that’s exactly what he did.
I came on a house, and knew before I went to look at it that I’d have to make a decision quickly. Because if I didn’t take it that night, someone else was going to put a deposit down on it the next day and it’d be gone. But she didn’t seem at all happy with the people she was going to be meeting. Given the timing and everything else, I took a look at it with a prayer on the way that it would be abundantly clear whether I should take it or not. Because my rent will almost double.
It was pretty clear that I should, but I was still paranoid. I asked what the security deposit is, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was HALF what the rent is, instead of the typical equal-to-it amount! It was a deal. I was ready to sign.
The landlady wasn’t quite yet. Though she did let me leave a deposit check as earnest, she had me fill out an application and told me that she’d only be cashing the check if my references checked out and she decided I could have the place. But we had hit it off, and she assured me that she’s sure they will and she’d let me know the next day.
Knowing she had called both of my references and that those calls went very well (because I work with both people I used), and being excited and nervous, I called to “check if there was anything else she needed from me”. I had to leave a message, she wasn’t home. Darn it: I knew she wasn’t going to call while I was at work. Why didn’t she listen when I told her that I have a laid-back job and can take calls there??
Soon after work I got a call. She started asking about my cat, and wasn’t it clear from the ad in the paper, and her specific mention of it, and it being state on the paper she gave me that it is a “no pets, no smoking” house? I explained that yes, I did realize that, and am willing to get rid of the cat if absolutely necessary. Adding that my hope is that we can come to some sort of agreement or arrangement as we’ve had her for a year and the kids are very attached to her, but that our need for more space is more critical than our need for a cat. So if we are not able to come to an arrangement, then I am prepared to get rid of the cat… If we have to. She started asking questions about the cat and then suggested an extra security deposit… and is going to let us keep the cat!!!
Next she had questions about my finances, because my rent will be doubling and I had also stated what my net income was on the application. I assured her I’d be able to cover it, because we never do anything. I work, come home, homeschool (which she’s fond of and wished she could have done herself… would have done had the state laws at the time allowed it), spend a few minutes with the kids before bed, and that’s it. I’m not spending any extra money. She then wisely asked if I’ve got any saved, since I’m not spending it! I told the truth in saying that I’ve got no savings because I’ve been buying lots of big things all year with an eye towards moving into a bigger place, knowing that I wouldn’t have the extra money to get them then: Bunk beds with matteresses, a grill, bookcases, toaster oven, etc etc. She appreciated that answer, sharing that’s exactly what she did right before retiring. 
She then told me that the place is mine. But not only that, that while she was over at the place taking care of the shrubs when I had called earlier, she looked at the furnace and found that it is an 80% efficient one. I thought that was great news, until she told me that wouldn’t do and she’s going to replace the perfectly-good, working furnace with a new one that’s 95% efficient, to help look out for my utility expenses!
I was stunned. Who does that for a rental?!?
And we get to keep the cat. And the deposit for her is half what was first suggested. And the pet fee is one-time, not ongoing. And it’s still less than the month’s rent that I expected the deposit to be. And it’s as big as the house we had when I was married (except newer and way more functional). And it’s got a 2-car attached garage. And it’s got 2.5 bathrooms! Central air, main level laundry, endless counter & cupboard space, a dishwasher, a microwave above the stove (always wanted one of those, and come to find out, so has A), 3 bedrooms, and four linen closets! And it happens to be the best looking house on the block
I got boxes off Freecycle, but wasn’t sure what to do about moving. Guys from church will come to help, as will my sister and her man. But no one has the vans they used to. And we’re down to one pickup truck. Then I remembered someone else I know that has one and hoped they’d let me borrow it. Nope, it’s being used heavily. But instead, they offered to ‘barter’ a U-Haul for me! They’re going to pay for my U-Haul!! My side of the deal is fulfilled by going over to their really nice house and helping them get rid of their ‘old’ stuff. … Which I get to keep anything I like from. “Does that work for you?”, they asked. Uh, yeah. I think that’ll work.
I’ll be responsible for mowing the lawn at this place, but wouldn’t you know: in all the clutter my mother keeps, she’s got an unused electric lawnmower that I can use!
That’s not to say everything is perfect: I also have to get the cat declawed as part of the agreement, and don’t know where that money’s coming from. It’s not cheap! Also I found out today that a water deposit is required in the amount of $300!!! Insanity. I don’t have a penny for it. But that’s okay. I’ve prayed, followed what I believed, and watched God’s hand continue to move as I take steps forward. No doubt he’s got a plan to work this out and I’ll get to watch.
