Renting with me is step one. The first step to homeownership.
First, we find you a rental of your choice. Then we start a plan. Credit, debt reduction, saving for a down payment: we have the tools. Whether it takes one year or five, I am with you, helping you achieve the American Dream.
Wondering if you'd qualify to rent?
About 90% of listings check the same five things. Look them over, check your numbers, and don't panic if one isn't perfect — that's exactly what I'm here for.
Five quick questions, two minutes. “I'll check that later” is always an answer — nothing here is a dealbreaker.
1. Credit score
Every adult 18 and over applies, and application fees run $35–$60 per adult. Each person needs a credit score over 580, and some listings ask for 620 or better.
Don't know your score? Check it free at Credit Karma or CreditWise — it doesn't affect your credit. Take a screenshot for each adult; I'll ask for them when we talk.
2. Background check
No evictions, felonies, bankruptcies, or judgments in the last 5 years. If something on your record is older than that, or you're not sure how it reads, tell me — older items age off and there's usually a path.
3. Income
You and the other adults together need to show at least 3 times the rent. If the listing is $2,000, we need proof of $6,000 a month in gross income. Self-employed? That works too — we'll use two years of tax returns.
4. Rental history
Landlords check two years of rental history. They'll call your current and past landlords to ask if you paid on time, whether there were issues or damages, and whether they'd rent to you again.
5. Pets
Most properties accept dogs but not cats, and every listing is different. Tell me the number, type, breed and weight up front and I'll only show you places where your whole family is welcome.
Why I check first
Application fees are non-refundable, so I never want to show you a property that already has multiple applications — that's a waste of your time and your money. My listings come from the MLS and reputable companies, so they're current and scam-free.
Let's set up your search
These are the questions I ask every renter so I can build a list of homes that actually fit. Answer what you can — your answers come straight to me, and I'll follow up the same day.
A plan, not a promise
Plenty of people will tell you "rent now, buy later." The difference here is that we write the plan down. From the first month you'll know exactly what we're working on, what it costs, and when we check in next.
You don't need perfect credit, a big down payment, or a green light from anyone else to start. You need a place to live and the willingness to take a few small steps on a schedule. I handle the rest with you.
And if the answer to "can I buy yet?" is "not yet", I'll tell you straight, along with exactly what has to change and how long it usually takes.
What the first year looks like
Nothing here is a surprise. You'll know what we're working on and why, from the day you move in.
Credit is a tool, not a judgment
Your score is just a number that tells lenders how you've handled bills lately. Numbers move. Here's what we work with.
What your score actually means
Most lenders want to see somewhere around 580 to 640 before they'll talk seriously, and better rates start around 700. If you're below that today, you're not out. You're early.
- 700+: strong options and the best rates
- 640–699: solid, most loan programs open up
- 580–639: workable, often FHA territory
- Below 580: we build for 6 to 12 months first
How we build it together
At the month-three check-in we read your report side by side and pick the two or three moves that matter most. Usually it's some mix of:
- Fixing errors on the report (more common than you'd think)
- Paying small collections strategically, not all at once
- Getting card balances under 30% of the limit
- Adding rent reporting so the rent you already pay counts
What the timeline usually looks like
Everyone asks. Honest answer: it depends where you start, but most people see real movement in 6 months and are lender-ready in 12 to 24. The plan is built around your report, not a template.
The one thing that breaks a timeline is new debt. Big purchases wait until after closing. I'll remind you.
Check your own numbers, free
- annualcreditreport.com: your full report, free, no card required
- Bankrate mortgage calculator: what a payment really looks like
- NerdWallet credit guides: plain-English explanations
- myFICO credit education: how FICO scores actually work
Bring what you find to our call. Nothing you see there will scare me.
Things renters actually ask me
Do I need good credit just to rent with you?
No. Landlords have their own requirements and I know which ones are flexible. Part of my job is matching your situation today to a landlord who'll say yes. The credit work is for the house later, not the rental now.
How much do you charge me for all this?
Nothing out of your pocket. On rentals and purchases I'm paid through the transaction, the same way any agent is. The credit coaching and check-ins are part of how I work, not a service you buy.
What if my income is cash or I have more than one job?
Very normal in my business. There are lenders who work well with self-employment and multiple income streams; it mostly comes down to documenting it right, and we start that paper trail early so it's ready when you are.
Can we do everything in Spanish?
Yes. Every conversation, every document walkthrough, every negotiation. You should never sign something you don't fully understand, in either language.
What if I'm not sure I ever want to buy?
Then we find you a great rental and that's that. No pressure, ever. Some clients rent with me for years before the buying conversation starts, and some never have it. The door just stays open.
I had an eviction / broken lease / bankruptcy. Is that the end?
No, but it changes the order of operations. Evictions and bankruptcies age off, and lenders care how long ago and what's happened since. We'll be honest about the wait and use the time to build everything else.
Do you only work in certain neighborhoods?
I work across the Phoenix valley: Phoenix, Glendale, Maryvale, Mesa, Avondale, Tolleson, Laveen and the West Valley. If you have a school district in mind, start there and I'll tell you what's realistic.
What happens after I fill out the form?
I call or text you, usually the same day. We talk for fifteen or twenty minutes, I ask the rest of my questions, and you leave the call knowing your next two steps. That's it. No contract, no obligation.
Renter resources that actually help
The fine print of renting, gathered in one place — with links that go to the official source, not somebody's blog post about it.
Service & support animals
A service animal and an emotional support animal are different things with different rules, and neither one is a “pet” to a landlord. Read the real definitions before you apply: the ADA's service animal rules and HUD's guidance on assistance animals in housing.
Pets & applications
Most listings take dogs, fewer take cats, and every one sets its own rules on size, breed and count. Tell me exactly who's in the family, fur included, and I only show you homes where everyone is welcome.
Your rental references
Landlords call your current and previous landlords: did you pay on time, was the home cared for, would they rent to you again? Line up those names and numbers before you apply. And if the story is complicated, tell me first — I'd rather hear it from you.
Rental assistance
If money is tight, Arizona has real programs. 2-1-1 Arizona connects you with rental and utility assistance near you, free. No shame in it — that is exactly what it's for.
Know your rights
Arizona renters are protected by the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Read it free at the source, the Arizona Department of Housing. Thinking about buying instead? The Arizona REALTORS® Buyer Advisory is the homework I'd assign you anyway.
I do the legwork
When a listing looks right, I talk to the owner or manager myself — the questions, the paperwork chase, the follow-up calls. You focus on the move; I handle the phone.
Ready to find your place?
Five questions, about two minutes. I'll take it from there, in English or Spanish.