Help us buy a home? UPDATE:$2000, Woohoo!!!

and it is up to DU members to decide if they want to respond or ignore the post.
So your post complies with DU # standards.

Everyone's experience is different.

This one seems really modest and limited in comparison.

I do have a philosophical quibble with these requests - but not the usual one from people who are just uncomfortable with being confronted by "panhandlers" or whose inner Judge Judy has decided everyone else must be a scammer.

The rise of crowd-funding - especially among rightwing folks who rejected Obamacare - highlights the essential problem. It is reminiscent of Bush's vaunted faith-based charity. Giving will be uneven and rife with bias. Amount received might depend on your politics or the color of your skin. It might also depend merely on the timing of your request. Is everyone suffering from compassion-fatigue because of a big disaster? Did your request just follow another notorious "beggar", heightening the community's negative reaction?

Also, this model tends to favor highly educated people and good writers who can make a stirring case. Yet less educated may need more help. There also seems to be some online "panhandling turf". A few years ago I wrote some diaries about welfare on Daily Kos. I will never forget how that brought racing in some big-time begging diaries to "top" mine and exploit any generosity to be had. One was later outed as a scammer. I've never asked for any financial help - I think my education gives me an edge in navigating the systems I've had to resort to so far. But if I had needed to "cry out to the Internet", I don't think I would have had the required self-promotionalism needed to compete for turf on Daily Kos.

Lately I've heard conservative heads of nonprofits actually advocate crowd-funding as a solution to problems like lack of affordable housing.

This advice to turn to crowd-funding is happening at the same time as reliable government social programs like food stamps and ssi are being cut.

This is backdoor faith-based charity.

This is not to discourage giving to the request in this post, which is small and modestly asked for.

I'm just taking this as an opportunity to discuss the larger issue of this form of fund-raising being encouraged, its innate unfairness, and the context of abetting government cuts.

I say assistance
Sorry you've chosen such negative terms

to do.....that is, help each other if and when we can.

EGADS!



Be well Lyric!

If it was a DU'er, THANK YOU! I was afraid nobody would respond at all and now I feel better.

but I was your first $5.

I hope every little bit helps, and maybe I will start the ball rolling. Just 499 more to go. If you get $2,000 though, GFM will take $160.

Good luck.

But Hillary? Hillary? Put Bernie up there if you want money from DU.

And you are not cheap at all, you are WONDERFUL! Want to see the Craigslist ad that has lots more pictures? It has a washing machine in it that's AVOCADO. I love it!

I'm over the moon! Those awful turquoise walls, that avocado washer, and the "second week of deer camp" paneling are coming closer to being ours forever!

I was hoping more people would say "hey, I can do $5 too".

Maybe will gather some momentum.

I had to delete a comment on the campaign page though. Somebody posted to tell me to stop buying drugs and get a job. We don't do drugs and we DO have jobs. We just don't have savings. How could someone I don't even know say something so hateful? I just don't understand...

Does being unable to find a job make somebody a bad person? I spent years unable to find work, many years.

In fact, I have been at my current job now for almost 13 years - partly because I have been unable to find a better one, and I have applied for dozens (although I have also gotten two promotions that I stepped down from (one because I was tired of dealing with a psychotic supervisor and the other because they were threatening to fire me (plus I was tired of having to work 25/8. (a phrase I made up, because apparently 24/7 was not enough for them)).

However, I do not collect disability. We have an unusual family dynamic; my fiance Ben is a steel Detailer and makes a good salary, and my best friend/life partner Deb is a manager at a pub/restaurant. We have my son at home, and I also have guardianship of my sister's little boy after she dropped him off here two years ago and basically never came back.

Deb and Ben make enough to care for our family. But squeezing us all into a two bedroom trailer has been...tense. The boys and Deb take turns sleeping on the couches, for now. If we can get this place, the boys can share a room, Deb will have a room, and Ben and I will have a room. It's a huuuuge improvement....

Mobile homes kind of get a bad rap.

We recently purchased one for two of our young adult children with autism to share. We are currently renovating it- they are amazingly easy to modify.

I am amused/mystified by the "tiny house" movement. Used mobile homes are ubiquitous, inexpensive, and extremely environmentally responsible. Why spend tens of thousands of dollars to live in a walk in closet?

I will help out when I can log on from my computer.

I totally agree. And this will allow us to live greener in other ways, too. It's close to town, so less driving, and right on a major bus route. My son is ecstatic that he might get to go to the "good" high school next year.

but, if they are all you can afford, they are better than apartments. I've lived in two, over the years, one that I lost a fair amount of money on (because I bought it and then decided to move in a hurry) and the other that I made a fair amount of money on (because the land it was on appreciated a whole lot). One was in Utah, and I felt safe there because they have hardly any tornado deaths in Utah (or so I heard).

The other was in a forest in Wisconsin and I felt sorta protected by trees (and perhaps I was - one time I went up to my property it seemed there was a huge windstorm that hit my valley. One of my neighbors giant trees was tipped over, pulled up its roots even. Up the road another huge tree was down. I was kinda expecting a lot of damage on my property, but I didn't see much more than one little limb. Those other big trees were standing alone. My trees were standing in a forest.

I think that's why mobile homes are so popular here. They're cheap, and they tend to last forever because the weather here is relatively mild. The one we want is a 1977, and it's still in fantastic shape in terms of structural stability. I won't speak for other people's tastes in paint and paneling, but that can be mended.

Those stereotypes and preconceived ideas are so stupid.

Even rural places where land is cheap. I always figured it was about keeping poor people out of "good" towns, though God knows, all those towns I wanted to buy land in and put a mobile home on we redneck havens resplendent with four or five dead cars to a lot. But by gum, their daddy or granddaddy could afford to buy a house in the early 20th century before the manufacturing left town!

good luck to you.

Times like these, it really does feel like family here...

ted kennedy died i had no one to talk to. hubby had already gone to bed and family and friends were back east (3 hour time difference). i came to DU to express my grief. a fellow DUer said "this is a place we come to in happiness and in sorrow".

Great deal and I've been to Morgantown many times.

Good luck!

One of my family members is the kitchen manager at Gibbie's Pub downtown. Dinner and drinks are on us

We'll take all the good wishes we can get.

hope this works out for you and your family.

I don't have words. I just have hugs and squeaks and jumping around.

PayPal, I will. You deserve a home you can be comfortable in, and it looks great.

The generosity of those here who've given almost brings tears. That kindness will be repaid many times over, I believe.

I can barely see to type.

Looks like a good amount of space for a mobile home.

I can't give much but will give a little after i leave work.

Hopefully you will raise enough in time to get it.

I want to visit the state someday.

And if you are outdoorsy at all, there's lots of fun stuff to do

I'll kick this up tomorrow though...I'm so hopeful right now! My heart feels like it's gonna burst of happy

What's striking is what a difference such a modest and reasonable request can make for your family.

When I visited Ohio, I often stayed with a vet buddy in his mobile home just across the road from the Ohio River (with New Martinsville, WV on the other side). When my buddy remarried, he moved into a new home and I've stayed there, too--but I still miss his mobile home and its charm.

It was a great idea to reach out and do this. I'll be looking forward to news of your housewarming party.

Let's do it! Totally!

I'm getting ready to turn in now, and don't want to dig my card out.... but I'll chip in some early tomorrow.

Live strong and do what you can with the strength that you've got. You've got love too, and that's important. Anyway, good for you. I wish I could help...but that's not in my capacity right now, so I will just wish you good health.

Good luck, Lyric! any home with an avocado anything is worth the money!!!

For others reading this, back in the day, people used to go and actually help their neighbors build their homes. When a new family moved in, there was a house-raising and a barn-raising. Everyone worked together to make sure each family had a good start.

Unfortunately, our compassion for one another has been hurt by decades of corporate propaganda. We're supposed to be rugged individualists who are FREE to succeed (or fail - and they never tell you how bad that is!). We are supposed to be independent as opposed to interdependent. We are supposed to eschew helping others and raise ourselves up by the bootstraps!

I say....bullshit!

Let's start helping each other.

Oh, and we can also help each other by becoming informed about the issues and being active in our local politics, and VOTING in people who actually will represent OUR interests instead of the best interests of people like the Koch brothers, the Waltons and Sheldon Adelson.

Kicking for exposure, I wish I could donate.

Let's keep this kicked.

we can do it!

this morning and wish you well. You're half way there! K&R

will have success. Glad you posted here and DUers are helping. All the best.


A word- follow the issues and candidates history in this critical election for our nation. There are candidates who are fighting to help us, the people and Main Street, not corporations and banks, Wall Street and war profits.

to be a part of this houseraising. Not much, but that's the thing about a houseraising, everyone does a little and it adds up to a lot.

Enjoy your new home, Lyric!

It's getting so close! I haven't told the kids yet, because I don't want to get their hopes up until I know it's gonna happen. But man...it's really hard to keep this from them... *tears*

I was hoping for more donors. With another 70 donors you could get the other $1,000 with just $15 per donation.

I notice that DU for Bernie has raised another $2,000, and I am like "hey, that's enough money to buy a home".

But that reminds me too, that in the last primary I gave $50 to Obama, trying to help defeat Hillary.

Boy, did that NOT turn out to be money well spent.

But if everyone just kicks in whatever they can afford, miracles can happen.

Xxoo

memories are from back then. I wish you all the very best of luck.

Thank you for the wishes, dear. Come see us if you're ever wandering through West Virginia.

It's not much but I've been on a search for affordable housing myself so I know the value of finding a good home. Best of luck in your campaign.

If I could find 500 people willing to give me five dollars, I'd have enough to buy the trailer AND throw a wicked housewarming party.

But I can kick this for you

Wish it could be more. Been having to help out more people than usual lately, lol! Good luck

It said "bad gateway"... Got any other link?

Sent message to Lyric...hope problem is fixed.


peace~

is anyone else having this problem?

The same error message occurs with both the OP link and the email update links from GFM. None of the links are working at the moment, though they all worked fine before.

At least it's working again for me.

It's working for me, too.

Gofundme site was down earlier too.

Does the dog in the pix come with the trailer? Just kidding...

I don't often feel free to give, but your request is so modest and I trust when the time comes you'll provide a home to a shelter pup. So I'm figuring this is a twofer

I'm just praying that we make it to the goal before the seller finds another buyer and gives up on me. :/

(don't mind me, I'm a worry-wort) and that you won't buy the trailer and then be informed you have 10 days to move the trailer...

They require credit checks and criminal background checks. We don't have any criminal history, but our credit does suck. I'm hoping that will just mean a bigger deposit, not a rejection, especially since we have years worth of solid, dependable employment with a good income thrown in. Ben and Deb have both been at their jobs for years...

all the wonderful folks at DU.

as Magical Thyme said.

I found a great deal on a houseboat once, only to find out after my own research that it needed to be moved from it's spot. Would have cost 10s of thousands to move and the seller conveniently didn't mention the fact.

Just threw in a ten. Good luck!

Your enthusiasm for the place is endearing! I hope you are able to get it.

I have gotten really into DIY and crafts since my spinal stenosis won't let me get out and be active much. This place is like one huge, beautiful, enticing craft project that I can LIVE IN when it's done. That pretty much my idea of heaven!

I funnel so much (probably too much) of my creative energy into my house and garden.

What is the status with the seller? How long will they wait for you to come up with the money? How solid is the agreement to buy it with half down?

On June 13, 2015, at 1:08 PM, craigslist 5072388949 <[email protected]> wrote:

Alright here is Lisa's response, if you haven't gotten through to her yet:

Go ahead and tell them that Carrie the park manager will need a $60 money order for the background check and credit check...this will determine your deposit...if they can give half or more for a down payment we can work out the rest...give them my number...thanks Sarah!
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 13, 2015, at 12:02 PM, Brandy Hoover <b[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Are you willing to consider a payment schedule? We're looking for a place outside of town, and I am familiar with Independence Hills. It's a good place for children, and quiet.
>
> We would pay the lot rent while living there of course, and if you're willing, we'll work out a payment schedule for the rest. I have no doubt that we'll easily pass the background checks for living at the park, since we have good income and zero criminal history.
>
> If you're interested in this idea, let us know. My name is Benjamin Lewis, and my fiancée is Brandy Hoover. Thanks!

happy to push the goal to the 2k mark

All i can send is my best wishes. I hope you get your home

Thank you so much

.... to toss in some $. You are at $1576 now. I think you can make it and I really hope you do.

I live in WV as well - Hampshire County - not too far from Morgantown (go Mountaineers! )
I just donated and am so hopeful that we'll be able to see pics of you all moving in!

We're an gonna hold an awesome housewarming party for everyone who helped make it happen. We used to go camping every summer in Romney, at this place called Milleson's.

Hoping it's a true WV housewarming - BYOM (Bring your own moonshine I'll be there with bells on!

Ben got a jar for Christmas but he finished that ages ago.

It'll definitely be a bring-a-covered-dish shindig. If people can't cook, they can bring store bought treats, drinks, and dessert!

Only $614 remaining to reach goal!

I hope it all comes together for you!

So freaking excited right now. If GFM didn't take a big chunk, we'd already be just about there. I had to add on that extra $500 to be sure we have the whole $2000.

Hoping that it doesn't take too long for the money to be withdrawn.

I read that here on another fundraiser. Take the electronic transfer to your bank and it should be faster than sending you a paper check.

I'd suggest once you have the amount needed to start the ball rolling, the $2,000.00 plus the gofundme fee, withdraw that and get it heading your way. Then you can take moving expenses out when you reach your goal, or as needed.

I'm so happy for you!

I feel like everything isn't quite...real. *shakes head in amazement*

Also they don't offer tracking on checks and that would be a deal breaker for me.

How long do withdrawals take? (US & Canada)

Once you request a bank withdrawal from WePay, deposits take 2-5 business days to appear in your bank account. Please contact our team if your deposit doesn't arrive after 5 business days. You can also check with your bank to see if anything is being held up on their end.

Unfortunately, we don't have a way to speed this up as WePay is a payment processor and not a bank. Only banks can do immediate wire transfers, while payment processors such as WePay must use ACH transfers and these can take a few days to complete.

US accounts may also request a check. Checks take 7-10 business days to arrive. We unfortunately can't offer tracking for checks, as they're sent through USPS.

communicate) and tell him you have already raised the money and will get it to him as soon as the GFM site transfers it to your bank.

I'm so freaking excited!!! Anybody wanna help us pack??

Need to get it a little higher so you can withdraw $2000 after fees

Worry about moving costs after that (maybe a few friends could help as well?)

I knew DU could get this done.

Everyone deserves a nice home.

It's pretty nice - lots of trees. rooting for you!

I can't wait to have TREES around again! And a covered front porch!

Gofundme takes roughly 8% + $ .30 per donor. Needs a couple hundred more.

Start packing

Keep trying!

The most recent outages today have been very brief.

Now for some moving expenses.

Glad for you and Ben! (Not for Lyric, though. I'm still mad at her for not letting me see our love child.)

Hope when I get up in the morning, you've made it!

Hi neighbor! I can't donate now, as I don't get paid in the summer and I'm on research leave (thus paying for travel lodging AND expensive rent in Morgantown), but I wish you tons of luck.

FWIW, DUers, Morgantown, WV is a rather pricey place to live, believe it or not.

And yes, the rent here is outrageous. That's why we're trying to buy a mobile home...so we can stop paying exorbitant rent and actually start *saving*, ya know?

Plan on using a % of my first movie that comes out next year.

Thanks for the Idea and good luck on the new home!

May your new home be blessed with health, love, prosperity and joy!!!

I'm so happy for you!

and start settling in with your family. I donated what I could.

I just checked your gofundme and you're almost there.

Sleep well.

$2,170 was raised in little more than a day, and they and we are now in the homestretch, so to speak.

I chipped in a few dollars to help.

Best regards and good luck to you and your partner

Time to start packing!

Hoping that when I get home from work, I hear that you are packing up to move to your new home.

Please, Lyric, report on getting the lot application in and
confirmation from the seller that you can go forward.

We're all waiting to hear the good news!

Keep us updated on how it all works out!

Thank you all so freaking much!!!! I'm just waiting to hear back from the seller!!!

I shouldn't be amazed anymore at the kindness of people here as it's happened so often - but it nearly makes you cry just to watch such generosity and compassion. Crossing my fingers for you everything works out.

It was exciting and gratifying to watch this come together for you. Keep us posted on how things go!

And best of luck to you and your family.

How exciting!

DU at its best.

You must be so excited! I imagine packing up won't even be considered a chore

so although it looks as though they have hit their $2500 target, it would be a good idea to leave the page up and for DUers to continue helping as they can, in order to cover those fees.

It's upthread somewhere...

"If GFM didn't take a big chunk, we'd already be just about there. I had to add on that extra $500 to be sure we have the whole $2000. "

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6835999

Hopefully Lyric figured that in when she created her goal.

We bought a bank-owned 1971 double wide that had been sitting empty for two years just last year (original owner passed away) that was structurally sound - but the interior was seriously dated and most of the fittings were cracked or messed up because (according to the neighbors) the original owner stopped being able to take care of it around 2002.
It's almost 1500 sq. ft., a 2 bedroom/2 bath "mission" style, open floor plan, with an open hallway that has arched entry and storage shelf area looking into the front room.
We have been in the process of remodeling most of it ourselves; dropped about $25K so far in hardwood flooring, master bathroom repair, plumbing and wiring updates (to bring it up to code), energy-efficient windows, new handicapped accessible porches, and replacing the particle-board sub-floor in the bathrooms and hallway (where the washer had leaked once upon a time). Now, we're at the bits and pieces final stage, the "move the furniture into the middle of the room" and paint or replace molding, replace a section of paneling with drywall, or put in a new door-frame, or something like that.

The subfloor is something you have to watch out for; most double-wide sub-floor is basically 5/8" wood-pulp card-board that starts disintegrating once it gets wet, and it's better to replace the any soft-spots, bathrooms and any other area that can get wet with 5/8" treated plywood.
If you aren't going to be replacing the floor in the bedrooms, the cheapest way to extend the life of your floor is to put a piece of 1/4 sheet metal on the subfloor under the carpet or hardwood where you are going to put your bed or a sofa (or piano, or any other heavy piece of furniture with legs); this will disburse any weight stress and keep your bed or sofa leg from punching a hole through the floor over time. That's also a decent patch for a small soft spot in the floor, but it's better to just replace the soft spot then to patch it.

Another thing we found during the remodel is that it doesn't matter what any paint type says; if you're going to paint over the original interior doors or panels, you need primer first. Painting goes a long way to making the double-wide seem like a house inside, the paneling just becomes a wall texture, and you can make all sorts of interesting textures by rough-sanding the paneling, putting a thin layer of silicon spackle, then priming and painting over that; not a real replacement for putting in drywall, but it'll do in a pinch while you save up the money to get the paneling down, re-insulate, and put up new drywall in a room.

With an older double-wide, you're also probably going to have to replace baseboards, wall moldings, and ceiling moldings.

A good tool investment when you live in a double-wide: A small air compressor, a brad gun, and an air hammer. Your molding and paneling is put up with 1" finishing brads or staples. Your framing studs are typically 2 X 3's, and your sub-floor joists are 2 x 6's.

Do you know you can put a completely tiled handicapped accessible wet-room bathroom in a 6 x 10 master suite bathroom? We did it ourselves, and found a wonderful art-deco sit-down desk-style vanity top in great condition (with the original lobed-leaf shaped mirror) that we converted into the sink vanity.

Anyway, good luck.

Haele

Thank you so much!!!

This is fantastic!!

But I will be celebrating with you and toasting the occasion and toasting all the great DUers who made it possible.

Any updates? Hoping it all went well.

Not seeing any updates o the Gofundme connection...