" I ’m a single Black female , and I ’ve try the repulsion stories from other people ’s experiences . "
Recently, Iaskedmembers of theBuzzFeed Community, “If you’re a Black American, and you have a story to tell about your home buying or renting experience, tell us about it!” Here’s what they had to say:
1.“I am lucky in that my mom let us live with her rent-free for 16 months to save up for a house. We saved $20k and got an FHA loan with down payment assistance for $372k. The mortgage is $100 more per month than if we had done it without the down payment assistance, but it was worth it to actually have cash to furnish the house. We timed it right and built during 2021, right before interest rates went up. I didn’t use a realtor since we were building, and have no real regrets. I realize most Black people don’t have parents that have the space or finances to let them live at home rent-free. We are very, very fortunate.”
— THELIVINGWORST
2.“I’m white, but I have a good one. I was looking to rent a house for myself, my (Black) boyfriend, and our son. We found a nice house and went over to the landlord’s house to give them the deposit check. Everything was great, they were so nice, and I really liked the house. As I got ready to leave, for some reason, I said, ‘Oh by the way, my boyfriend is Black.’ The woman freaked out, tore the check up, and said that I should have told her that from the start. I contacted my state’s Department of Civil Rights, and they sent out an investigator. She told the guy it was all true and she didn’t care. They told her they could either pay me a cash settlement or offer me the house. Thank God I had already found a better house! I saw the lady at the grocery store a couple of months later, and she flipped out on me.”
— luckyangel30
3.“Nine years ago, I was moving from the Midwest to the Southeast. I decided to purchase a home in my new city. After looking for months and securing a new job in my new hometown, I found the perfect house (in a mostly white neighborhood). When I told my real estate agent and loan officer about the house (both [of] whom were white), they told me I would not qualify for the house, and I should look for something cheaper in another part of town. What they didn’t know is I used to be a licensed loan officer when I lived in the Midwest. So I knew about a loan program that would allow me to purchase the house. After asking them about this loan program, they changed their tune, and everything was smooth sailing from there.”
— Annonymous . Age 44 , Raleigh , NC
4.“I bought my home in 2021 during the pandemic, and also on my 27th birthday. Interest rates were very low, and I wanted to take advantage of that. I knew what I wanted, an older home in the city not far from where I grew up. Open floor plan, big backyard, and hardwood floors. I’m a single Black female, and I’ve heard horror stories from other people’s experiences, even with people with a higher income and families. I braced myself, however, my actual home-buying process was pretty seamless. My whole team was Black, my realtor, broker, inspector, attorneys, bank, as well as two of the three sellers.”
" At that time , my credit was really in high spirits , and I was just start up grad school so my student loans had n’t gone into effect . Because of this , the amount I was approve for was passably in high spirits . I also receive a first - fourth dimension menage - buyer ’s down payment assistance Ulysses Simpson Grant , so that was passing helpful . And I know it ’s super older school , but I write a personal letter to the marketer because I submitted an fling about $ 20k below asking , and I think that letter was helpful for my guinea pig . Unfortunately , once I was really in the plate , I had a good deal of problems that were not pick up during review such as the A / C unit get around during peak Atlanta summertime , pipe erupt and rusting away , unstable foundation , incorrect electricity mapping , etc . The sole fiscal obligation was on me , and that was very stressful . I had always been proficient about saving money and spending little on my deferred payment card , but after paying for all of those issue , my saving disappeared , and my acknowledgment cards were useless . I ’m also prosperous to have a bunch of help from my family . I do bed my home , but if I could do it over , I would ’ve save looking for a more modern home . "
— Kieya B. 30 , Atlanta , GA
5.“Back in 2015 when I moved to Florida (east of Orlando), I found a lovely 2/2 condo. When I called, I was first told it was available. When I arrived to see the unit, the leasing agent gave me a walkthrough. While viewing the unit, the owner stops by. The look on the owner’s face said it all. She never said a word to me. The owner left, and about 10 minutes later, the agent’s phone rang. After the call, the agent tells me she’s sorry but the unit is no longer available.”
— Elynne . 48 , Merritt Island , FL
6.“My husband and I are both Black Americans. We drained our 401(k) to put a down payment of 3.5 percent on our first home. Plus our combined incomes, and individual incomes were too high to qualify for any first-time home-buyers programs. Neither of us received any financial support, unlike our counterparts.”
— Alanna . 35 , Brockton , MA
7.“My ex-MIL rented an upper-level duplex in Milwaukee in a not so great neighborhood. The building was a cute duplex with a spacious kitchen and living room, plus a built-in oak cabinet. Over the course of five years, things fell apart to the point where she found numerous rodents, had issues with wiring and outlets, plus a draft from the damaged window which needed to be replaced. Her asthma was worsened by both the draft and mold.”
" The landlord was cognisant of several problems and keep string along her along . After a few phone margin call to both tenant resources and the metropolis , along with her demand to get things , the landlord told her she had five day to vacate the premises because he ' sold the building . ' Something did n’t sound right , so she asked for a peak of sale or design to purchase signed by the buyer . He could n’t produce either , put forward he did n’t have either with the sale . Not wanting a face-off , she ended up moving out and discover a better place . We later launch out that he did n’t sell it when he said he did , but that he fixed it up and moved himself in , and let family members move in . Further investigating unveil he was a selfish slumlord with complaint from other tenants . While my ex-wife is a lot of thing ( and he really is ) , his female parent is a placid older madam who hold on to herself , pays rent on time , and does n’t cause any result . Sadly , these slumlords in the interior city rent out buildings to take advantage of skillful people by rent rent money and not survive up to a tenant ’s expectations as a responsible landlord . "
— Anonymous . 51 , Wisconsin
8.“Black realtor here, and I work tirelessly to help Black people buy homes. It starts with education and bringing awareness to the enormous amounts of first-time home-buyer programs that are available. Also, letting folks know which type of loan, conventional versus non-conventional, best fits their financial situation.”
— Delicious - Link-3988
9.“I tried to purchase a home in the earlier part of 2024. Despite earning close to six figures, never having been unemployed since college graduation, and ‘average debt’ (less than 7K credit card, one installment loan, and student loans), I was told I needed additional cash reserves two days prior to closing.”
" look at I had just gotten married , I could n’t total up with an extra $ 8,000 in 48 hours . I was deny funding after make my close appointment continually pushed back four time . Further , I was told that because I could n’t secure the additional funds , it violated the contract bridge , and I would n’t get my earnest money back . The holdup in windup have in mind additional out of scoop costs because I had already provided placard that I would n’t be reincarnate my letting . Thankfully , I was able to observe a rental in a keen area of town with rent that is tantamount to what the mortgage would have been . I can afford it to rent , but not own , plainly . "
— silkytoaster24
10.“Not me, but this happened to my neighbors. Before they moved to our neighborhood, they were looking in another area just north of town. They went to a showing for a house and got there before the landlord did.”
" Like anybody concerned in living somewhere , they got out , and started wait around the pace , all before the landlord got there . A neighbour saw and CALLED THE COPS on them . pig showed up , assuming they were there to hook the position ( because every robber impart their two kids along , right ? ) . Cops told them they received three different 911 call option from all different neighbors . The landlord confirm with them they ’d be the only Black family in several miles , in all likelihood . Needless to say , they did n’t lease that house out . "
— thegassygoose
11.And finally, “We sold our first home for about $115,000 more than we bought it for ($220k in 2018). For context, I’m a stay-at-home mom, and my husband is an attorney. We bought a bigger house closer to Charlotte for $474k in 2022. We had to go with a new build further from the city because the market was so aggressive. People and companies were offering 100k+ over asking price and buying without even seeing the properties.”
— Nikki Clark . 35 , Troutman , NC .
Note : Submissions have been edited for length and/or clearness .
Are you a Black American with a story of your own about the housing or renting market? Let me know about your experience in the comment section below!
“I’m a single Black female, and I’ve heard the horror stories from other people’s experiences."
