Apartment Shop Questions

To all who are experienced in written Apartment shops. I've been assigned a Random shop and it's my first one, so I have a few questions. I've been communicating with my scheduler, but I figured I'd see if the community here might have some words of wisdom for me.

There is no website nor any information on this particular community, but I have finally been able to determine that it's Section 8, low income housing. I figured this out because the guidelines said that my income should be 3-4x the rent and of course there's no info about the rent, so I emailed the scheduler and she said I should have an income of $20-25k. Well, in Los Angeles, there is NO WAY anyone would be able to afford an apartment on that income, so I did more more checking and figured out that it's Section 8.

I am a little concerned that the agent, if/when I finally get hold of someone will want to know the details of my having already qualified for Section 8 housing. I have NO experience with this and am not even sure what my cover story will be. Any advice from someone who's done one of these would be helpful.

I imagine if I'd done any sort of apartment shop in the past, it would be easier, but since I haven't I'm flying blind!

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When I did my first apartment shop I didn't realize that it was "senior" housing and when the agent asked my age over the phone it turned out I didn't qualify. I called back a few days later and told the agent I was apartment shopping for my mother. When I showed up to do the tour I told the agent my mother was ill and couldn't make it but that I wanted to check out the apartment on my own. This way if there were any detailed questions asked I could always say I don't know, I'll have to check with my mother. Worked perfectly!

The community may not be Section 8 it might be what is called income restricted with no more than around $28,000 in annual income. The restricted communities were an answer to the overdevelopment of market rate apartments. It falls under the affordable housing requirements which are regulated by municipalities.

When the agent asks you questions about income ALWAYS put it back on the agent.
When they ask for your income respond.---"What are the income guidelines to live at this community?"
When they ask are you section 8 or qualify for low income respond -- "What are the guidelines to qualify for section 8
or for low income?"
Never state an income amount of income ion response
THEN
Just respond with "I fall within the guidelines"

That is PERFECT! Thank you so much for the advice!

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