March 17, 2007

Nerves of steel? Notsomuch these days

Yesterday was a big day for us. We both had job interviews in Madison (mine was a first, Bryan's was a followup) and we looked at the condo of our longing.

My interveiw was fantastic, and I think I'm definitely in the running.

Based on the feedback we heard from Bryan's first interview, we thought he might have had an offer yesterday, but they showed him around the office, showed him where his desk would be, introduced him to people who would be on his team, then told him it was between him and one other person and that he should have an answer by Wednesday.

The condo? Oy. We loved it. We loved the manager. But it turns out we have a few things going against us:

  • In our almost 5 years of renting, we've paid rent late once - it was right after my grandmother died, when I needed the money for the trip back to NY. It was two weeks late, so the length of time may work against us.
  • One of the questions they're going to ask our current and previous landlords is whether they'd rent to us again. With the exception of the one late payment, we've been model tenants. However, when we left our last apartment, we reported our previous landlords to the state for withholding a portion of our security deposit that, according to state law, it is not permissible to withhold. So they may say that they wouldn't be willing to rent to us again (I'm trying to have faith that they won't, but faith is not coming easily on that one).
  • Another question they'll ask our current and previous landlords is whether we gave proper notice. We did at our last place, but this place requires 60 days notice, and I'm one of those people who will not give notice without another lease signed. So our current landlords don't even know we're leaving yet. I'm anticipating a big fat NO on that one.
  • Our credit rating isn't the greatest. We've had a couple of medical bills go to collection while I've fought with our insurance company over a couple of things. The manager told us that if his supervisor goes so far as to approve us, we'd probably need a co-signor. What a way to make me feel like I'm 17.

    I'm nervous.

    While I'm at it, I have a rant about credit bureaus. Bryan and I are two of the few people in the world who realize that credit cards just don't work for us and we're much better off financially we use cash and debit, so we choose not to have credit cards. However, one of the things that was listed as a negative on both our credit reports was "lack of premium bankcards." So here we are, trying to be responsible and not rack up a bunch of debt that we can't pay off, and it's working against us?

    Now, I realize that a "lack of premium bankcards" could mean to some companies that we simply can't get one and would therefore be a bad risk. Because really, it's not that hard to get a card. But to be making an attempt to be fiscally responsible by not having one and having it work against you is really frustrating.

    We really want that condo, and I'm trying really hard to believe that it will happen, but I'm not keeping my hopes up. *sigh*

    Bryan and I are well aware that if we don't get the condo, it is the direct result of our own actions, so it's not like I'm saying any of this is unfair, per se, but it still sucks.

    Posted by beenie at March 17, 2007 11:24 AM
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    I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the condo and the jobs!
    And if you guys do move to Madison, there's more of a chance we'll actually get down to visit once in awhile : )

    Posted by: Kim at March 23, 2007 09:38 AM
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