I’ve been wanting to get into a less expensive living situation for more than a minute. I really love St. Pete, but my rent has been too much in comparison to my income. Now that my income is really low, it’s even more of a burden.
I started looking at options. Honestly, there’s not much that is significantly cheaper as far as rentals go. Affordable housing has been a problem for more than a minute in St. Pete.
So I started looking at purchasing a mobile home. There was one for sale in a community where some friends live, so I decided to check it out. I couldn’t negotiate a sale price that fit my budget, so I had to let that one go.
I kept looking and found one that was much more affordable in another park. The lot rent was higher than in the first community I looked at, but even with the loan for the mobile home I’d be saving ~$200 a month compared to my current rental situation.
My credit score is good. Damn good, really. The bankruptcy that I filed for soon after my divorce is finally off my credit record. (Yay!!)
So I applied for the loan. I knew my income was low (pretty darn low), but I figured with my credit score and a co-signer I’d get approved. And I’ve had a backup plan in case I go too long without a full-time job. I’m fully willing to dip into my retirement if I need to. (It’ll never been enough for me to retire anyway. I’ll save that for a different post.) So that loan payment would definitely be made.
The bank denied me based on low income to debt ratio. The only debt I have is student loan debt, and right now my payment is legitimately $0 since I’m on an income-based repayment plan. I own my car outright. I have two credit cards that I use to pay for groceries and whatnot. Then I transfer the money over from my savings/checking account. By the payment date, their balances are $0.
So good credit, be damned. A stable co-signer, be damned. The fact that my living situation would legitimately be less expensive and easier to pay, be damned. That fact that I have a savings that will allow me to pay that loan, be damned. The only variable it came down to was a high enough paycheck. And this was through my credit union, not some big, profit-driven bank.
And, so you don’t think I’m too extravagant, you could buy a new, 2020 Nissan Kicks (sticker price based on Cars.com) for the purchase price of the mobile home. And I was only asking for 75% of that price to be financed! (You had to put down a 25% down payment, which I had. Still denied.)
As I’m telling you this story, I want to make it clear that I’m not just thinking about this since it’s happening to me. More it’s that I can only tell my own story… Too many fall into this viscious cycle, with black folks and people of color being disproportionately affected. It affects those in poverty who can’t qualify for a loan that would allow them to be in a better position. Those with some financial privilege are always on the brink. People being evicted or foreclosed upon during a pandemic… My story is a non-extreme example of a messed up system.
And it is messed up. Every. Single. Time. It’s one of the reasons I’m a Democratic Socialist. People need and deserve a stable place to live. Folks in my chapter of DSA are doing some awesome work towards affordable housing and housing for all. It’s inspiring, yet change doesn’t happen overnight.
I’m Ok. I’ll be Ok. I know I’ll find full time work soon. I’ve been choosy in applying for jobs thus far. There are a few applications that have been submitted and are hanging out there, and one interview scheduled for later this month. I’m hoping to catch a keeper with one of those lines that are out. And I’ll be sending more.
But I’m still feeling a little defeated right now. While trying to get the mobile home was a financial risk (since my income is low right now), it also would have contributed to a slightly more affordable life.
Anyway, wishing everyone peace during this holiday season.