I am a reporter for a nationally syndicated real estate section published weekly in newspapers across the country. I’m looking to interview real estate experts for the following article, with a deadline of Nov. 18, 2014:
STORY: STRATEGIES TO AVOID BEING EVICTED. Rents have risen 7% in the past year, while incomes have inched just 1.8% higher -- making it that much harder for people to afford their housing payments. In fact, the average renter now spends 30% of their income on rent, up from a longtime average of about 25%, according to Zillow. This story will provide tips to renters on how to avoid eviction, especially if they've been warned by their landlords or recently missed a payment, as well as recommend strategies to delay an eviction as long as possible. I’m looking to interview landlords, property attorneys, real estate agents, brokers, other housing experts for this article. Please e-mail me back your interest, availability and phone number. My deadline is noon central time, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014.
QUESTIONS:
1. How common is it for renters to be evicted from their leased properties today—any stats/data/research you can share? If no data, what is your experience as to how common this occurrence is today? Are evictions on the rise, and if so why/why not?
2. For what reasons are renters typically evicted? What are the warning signs that you may soon be evicted that a renter should be paying attention to and not ignoring?
3. What tips can you provide to renters to help them avoid being evicted? What arrangements can they possibly work out with landlords that you would suggest?
4. If they have been notified of eviction, what recourse does a renter have? What should they do?
5. Any other thoughts, tips, suggestions on this topic that I failed to ask about?
6. What is your full name, title, company, and location where you are based?