Thanks for your reply. I have contacted FEMA and put a friends mailing address in California. So far, I have heard nothing from them. Thanks for the other advise I’ll give it a shot.
Yesterday I looked at a few properties and called on two homes on my cell phone. One older man said he wouldn’t mind doing a lease option if its short term (I think I may be able to talk him into doing a year or more if I can sweeten the deal). I’ll be talking to him tomorrow.
My next challenge will be finding renters on short notice. I’ve been trying to search the archives but so far nothing useful, but I’ll keep searching.
I’m saving my money by eating once per day and using the internet at a local coffee shop.
I’m not sure if this is going to work, but I’ll keep you all inform on my progress…
best wishes to all of you. we live in a great country.
I lost my home to Katrina and I literally have less than $60 left in my pocket. I have been reading this site on and off for months and I love it, but because of work I never had time. Now I have all the time in the world because I no longer have a home or a job.
I am not asking for a hand out or assistance. I’m just asking for some advice that I can use right now. I’m in Kansas City right now living out of my car. I’ve seen a lot of for sale by owner signs and so I think there are some opportunities here.
Posted by cathleen (tx) on September 09, 2005 at 13:33:25:
First, I hope you have registered at the FEMA website. Go check out the assistance available to rebuild. I have heard that the HUD housing has been pulled from the market to the general public and will be offered exclusively to the Katrina victims oftentimes with excellent financing. Hope that helps.
Re: HELP Homeless from Katrina and need immediate - Posted by SteveS(CPA)
Posted by SteveS(CPA) on September 09, 2005 at 11:02:26:
Hey mark I really feel for your situation. The only advice I can give you is look it doing a few quick flips. Call up some local contractors and see what they are looking for and try to flip a property to them. Good luck and let us know how its going.
Re: HELP- need immediate (KC Contacts?) - Posted by Sailor
Posted by Sailor on September 08, 2005 at 20:33:19:
Mark, I’m glad you have been able to get to a safer place, but you have some immediate needs to be met. For housing assistance you can contact the Red Cross at 1-866-GET-INFO or the Salvation Army at 1-800-363-2769. To apply directly to FEMA for Disaster Assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)., or you can register online at:
You now are in a state that has not been designated by the feds for extra assistance; however, tomorrow you can contact the Kansas City Dept of Social Services for emergency relief. They should be able to set you up w/a place to stay & food stamps (don’t worry, that’s what they are for). There are probably other social service agencies there, all listed in the yellow pages. If it was me, I’d probably go to the office of the largest church in the area, tell them my situation, & let them guide me (don’t worry, that’s what they are for). Ask the church to help you get a temporary job–they have lots of parishioners needing employees. House-cleaning services also always need help. I’d take a job & learn what I needed to know, then place my own ad–it’s a great way to generate fast ca$h.
I commend you for your feistiness & determination to participate in REI under less than optimal conditions. I know nothing of the market in KC; however, w/limited funds I’d look for mobile home deals (“Lonnie” Deals). They can be done quickly, w/out escrow, & a week as a waiter should give you enough $$$ to fund one. If you aren’t aware, there is an excellent Mobile Home Discussion Group on this site. If KC isn’t a good place for this type of investment, move on as soon as you can. Who here in this group has any kind of contacts in Kansas City?
We w/all anticipate news of your progress, Mark, & wish you well in your quest–