My next-door neighbors, a beautiful family of six, are facing eviction from their home.
After 17 years of owning their home, my neighbors have been SCAMMED by a local real estate investor. If evicted, they will not have a dime to show for it.
We have all seen signs throughout our so-called “up-and-coming” neighborhoods boasting statements such as: “WE BUY HOUSES” and “CASH FOR HOMES”.
Economic hardship that necessitates the selling of a home to a developer is not ideal, but what is far worse is the predatory nature of these investors and developers under the guise of being an advocate for the homeowner.
The real estate investor in this particular case, as a friend so aptly put it is, "making their money on the backs of other human beings' struggle to survive”.
I am calling them Neighbor (capital-N) because (1) they do not want their name/address out there (who can blame them, after everything that’s happened?), and (2) because this is happening all over my neighborhood, my city, and yours too.
Neighbor is everyone’s neighbor.
Neighbor is America’s neighbor.
Neighbor was taken advantage of at a particularly difficult financial time; A time in which her partner had only recently been released from the ICU after severe injuries, lay-offs in the household related to COVID, and debts becoming increasingly looming.
A so-called investment group approached them with a “we’re here to help” attitude and pedaled an offer for a “program” that, as Neighbor understood it, would provide debt relief, in addition to boosting their credit.
Neighbor was told that they would pay the investment group as opposed to their mortgage company, and that they would subsequently be able to stay in the home that they have known for 17 years.
Neighbor emphasized numerous times that they did NOT want to sell their home. After all, this home is part of their family.
When communicating with Neighbor, the owner of the investment group touted platitudes such as “I’m gonna do everything I can for you” and “I’m here for you”.
Neighbor thought this kind and caring person was the answer to their prayers for assistance.
After a lot of smoke and mirrors, Neighbor signed the papers the investment group requested, to which they were presented with a bottle of wine, $10,000 to pay down debts, and a “Congratulations on selling your house!”.
WAIT, WHAT!?
Neighbor had been adamant from the beginning that they did NOT want to sell the home. Their understanding was that money would be borrowed from equity and that this was a “PROGRAM” that would help them get back on their feet.
Blindsided and confused, the reality of what had just happened finally set in.
Now this predator (i.e. "real estate investor") owns the home, and Neighbor is paying over DOUBLE what the mortgage payment was in rent.
Neighbor has the option to buy back the house at the end of the year …for DOUBLE the balance previously left on their mortgage.
It is heartbreaking to watch this happen to someone right in front of your eyes, knowing the systems in place that have led to this becoming commonplace in predominantly Black communities and neighborhoods like mine.
It is, in fact, nothing short of appalling.
As I talked with Neighbor about the situation, they stated to me: “Ashley, nobody is going to want to help us because we’re black.”
I know that Neighbor’s lived experience has proven to them that no one will care - that no one will step up to make this right.
I would like to prove them wrong. Will you help me prove them wrong?
- We need $4464 by October 10th to keep them from getting evicted on October 18th.
- We need an additional $6975 to get them through this predatory contract.
- We need $140,000 to buy Neighbor’s home back.
- Additionally, if you are a lawyer and can offer a free consultation, or pro-bono services, please reach out!
- We will be continuing to reach out to aid organizations, contacting the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, FTC, etc., but in the meantime, we desperately need your financial support!
If enough people donate the smallest amount that they are able to, we can save my Neighbor’s home - we CAN positively affect change for the life of this family.
This is an opportunity to lead our community through positive action.
Please help us restore what makes our community strong.
Please help us show this family that they matter.
After 17 years of owning their home, my neighbors have been SCAMMED by a local real estate investor. If evicted, they will not have a dime to show for it.
We have all seen signs throughout our so-called “up-and-coming” neighborhoods boasting statements such as: “WE BUY HOUSES” and “CASH FOR HOMES”.
Economic hardship that necessitates the selling of a home to a developer is not ideal, but what is far worse is the predatory nature of these investors and developers under the guise of being an advocate for the homeowner.
The real estate investor in this particular case, as a friend so aptly put it is, "making their money on the backs of other human beings' struggle to survive”.
I am calling them Neighbor (capital-N) because (1) they do not want their name/address out there (who can blame them, after everything that’s happened?), and (2) because this is happening all over my neighborhood, my city, and yours too.
Neighbor is everyone’s neighbor.
Neighbor is America’s neighbor.
Neighbor was taken advantage of at a particularly difficult financial time; A time in which her partner had only recently been released from the ICU after severe injuries, lay-offs in the household related to COVID, and debts becoming increasingly looming.
A so-called investment group approached them with a “we’re here to help” attitude and pedaled an offer for a “program” that, as Neighbor understood it, would provide debt relief, in addition to boosting their credit.
Neighbor was told that they would pay the investment group as opposed to their mortgage company, and that they would subsequently be able to stay in the home that they have known for 17 years.
Neighbor emphasized numerous times that they did NOT want to sell their home. After all, this home is part of their family.
When communicating with Neighbor, the owner of the investment group touted platitudes such as “I’m gonna do everything I can for you” and “I’m here for you”.
Neighbor thought this kind and caring person was the answer to their prayers for assistance.
After a lot of smoke and mirrors, Neighbor signed the papers the investment group requested, to which they were presented with a bottle of wine, $10,000 to pay down debts, and a “Congratulations on selling your house!”.
WAIT, WHAT!?
Neighbor had been adamant from the beginning that they did NOT want to sell the home. Their understanding was that money would be borrowed from equity and that this was a “PROGRAM” that would help them get back on their feet.
Blindsided and confused, the reality of what had just happened finally set in.
Now this predator (i.e. "real estate investor") owns the home, and Neighbor is paying over DOUBLE what the mortgage payment was in rent.
Neighbor has the option to buy back the house at the end of the year …for DOUBLE the balance previously left on their mortgage.
It is heartbreaking to watch this happen to someone right in front of your eyes, knowing the systems in place that have led to this becoming commonplace in predominantly Black communities and neighborhoods like mine.
It is, in fact, nothing short of appalling.
As I talked with Neighbor about the situation, they stated to me: “Ashley, nobody is going to want to help us because we’re black.”
I know that Neighbor’s lived experience has proven to them that no one will care - that no one will step up to make this right.
I would like to prove them wrong. Will you help me prove them wrong?
- We need $4464 by October 10th to keep them from getting evicted on October 18th.
- We need an additional $6975 to get them through this predatory contract.
- We need $140,000 to buy Neighbor’s home back.
- Additionally, if you are a lawyer and can offer a free consultation, or pro-bono services, please reach out!
- We will be continuing to reach out to aid organizations, contacting the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, FTC, etc., but in the meantime, we desperately need your financial support!
If enough people donate the smallest amount that they are able to, we can save my Neighbor’s home - we CAN positively affect change for the life of this family.
This is an opportunity to lead our community through positive action.
Please help us restore what makes our community strong.
Please help us show this family that they matter.