Stories on Love, Life, and Real Estate

Memphis Housing 101: Rentals, Housing Assistance, and Home Ownership

📝 Episode Show Notes
Podcast: Love, Life, and Real EstateEpisode Title: Housing Help in Memphis: Rentals, Emergency Support, and What Comes Next
Episode Description:In this episode, I break down how housing support actually works in Memphis, Tennessee. I explain why most real estate agents do not work rentals, where to search for rental homes, and why rental property managers are usually the best point of contact. I also cover what to do if you need emergency housing assistance and where to turn if credit challenges are standing in the way.
This episode is about clarity, not judgment. Whether you are renting, facing a housing emergency, rebuilding credit, or planning to buy in the future, understanding the right path can save time and reduce stress.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Why most real estate agents in Memphis do not handle rentals• Where to search for rental properties and how to approach property managers• What to do if you need emergency housing assistance• Who handles housing assistance and crisis placement• When credit counseling makes sense and how it fits into the buying journey• How to move from stability to planning for homeownership
Helpful Resources Mentioned:• Rental search platforms: Zillow, HotPads, Redfin, Realtor.com, Homes.com• Emergency housing support: Memphis Housing Authority, Shelby County Community Services Agency• Federal housing resources: HUD• Immediate assistance: Dial 2-1-1• Credit counseling and education referrals
Who This Episode Is For:This episode is for anyone in Memphis who is looking to rent, needs emergency housing guidance, is working through credit challenges, or wants to understand how to prepare for homeownership at the right time.
Call to Action:If you are not ready to buy yet, focus on stability first. When you are ready to plan, rebuild, and explore ownership, reach out. I’m here to guide the conversation with clarity and no pressure.
 
🌿 Stay ConnectedFor guidance when you’re ready to plan your next move, visit homesbylaquita.realtor, email info@homesbylaquita.realtor, or follow on Instagram @homesbylaquita
 
#LoveLifeAndRealEstate #MemphisRealEstate #MemphisHousing #HousingHelp #RentingInMemphis #MemphisRentals #EmergencyHousing #HousingAssistance #StableHousing #RentalSearch #PropertyManagement #CreditCounseling #HomebuyerPreparation #PathToHomeownership #BeforeYouBuy #LifeAlignedRealEstate #RealEstateEducation #FirstStepsNotFirstKeys
 

The Disappearing Investor

📍 Episode 3 – The Disappearing Investor
Mini-Series: Deals & Detours Podcast: Stories on Love, Life, and Real Estate
Just one week from closing, everything was smooth—until it wasn’t.
In this episode, I share the story of a seemingly perfect investor who vanished without warning. No red flags, no drama, just silence. What followed was a crash course in detachment, professional grace, and how real estate can mirror the unpredictability of life and love.
This isn’t just a story about a ghosted deal—it’s about learning to stay grounded when things don’t go as planned, and recognizing the difference between interest and actual investment.
🎧 In this micropod:
The illusion of a “sure thing” in real estate
How to handle disappearing clients with clarity, not panic
Emotional maturity in high-stakes transactions
Why silence can be a teacher
The mindset that helps you reset and move forward
Whether you’re a seasoned agent or someone who’s ever been left hanging—this one’s for you.
🌿 Stay Connected
For more raw reflections, quiet breakthroughs, and behind-the-scenes stories:
🔹 BlueSky: @herintrovertlife.bsky.social🔹 Substack: herintrovertlife.substack.com — deep dives & written reflections🔹 Exclusive Micropods + Shorts: Buy Me a Coffee – Quiet Space🔹 Clapper: @Herintrovertlife — real talk in real time🔹 WhatsApp Channel: Romance Reimagined — private updates + soft support in your pocket
🎵 Music created with Suno
Track: Introverted Grove
Created using: https://suno.com
Rate & review the podcast to help more people find these conversations.Come find your pace. This space is for you. ✨
 
#RealEstateStories #DealsAndDetours #PodcastEpisode #RealEstateLife #MicropodMoments #GhostedInRealEstate #LessonsInTheDeal #ClosingDayDrama #StorytimeWithAgents #BehindTheListing #DisappearingAct #ClientGhosting #StayReadyStaySteady #RealtorLife #LessonsLearned #SilenceSpeaks #EmotionalIntelligence #GrowthThroughExperience

I Closed on the House. Alone.

Season two of Stories on Love, Life and Real Estate dives into the real moments behind closings. In this episode, Marcus and his girlfriend find the perfect house, but days before the sale she quietly walks away.Marcus completes the purchase alone—keys in hand, an empty living room—and is left with the bittersweet reality of keeping the dream but losing the relationship.

Are You Truly Ready to Buy? Beyond Credit and Curb Appeal

Season one finale with LaQuita: a candid look at whether you’re really ready to buy a home — beyond credit scores and Pinterest-perfect houses.Learn the credit minimums (FHA 580+, conventional 620+ with best rates 680+), why late payments and evictions matter, and how to own, repair, or work around your history.Understand the money you’ll need beyond a down payment — closing costs, inspections, moving and emergency funds — and explore options like rent-to-own, owner financing, second-chance rentals, and boosting income.Practical encouragement: you’re not your credit or eviction; make a plan, move with purpose, and get ready on your terms. Season 2 teases deeper stories and guests.

If There Was a Name, I'd Call It Grandma

LJ shares a reflective episode honoring her grandmother, whose birthday month prompts a poem she wrote in 2018. She recalls childhood summers in her warm home, favorite shows, homemade meals, and the quilt she stitched from her and Granddad's clothes.
The episode is a tender tribute to her quiet strength and unconditional love, exploring how her care, stories, and small acts of generosity continue to shape family memory and comfort.

A Quiet Start: Choosing Voice Over Silence

Host LJ introduces the podcast, explains why she—an introvert—decided to speak up, and how she combines love, life, and real estate into one honest space. She shares her experience juggling teaching, parenting, and real estate work, and why this show won’t be a sales pitch but a place for real, relatable conversations.The episode covers LJ’s early experiments with WhatsApp channels, her move to Podbean, and her goal to help listeners prepare emotionally, financially, and mentally for homeownership. She also previews upcoming episodes including a tribute to her grandmother, a year-end home-buying readiness episode, and a future conversation with her lender partner.

Dear Daughter: Learning to protect your peace

In this episode LJ reflects on decades of journaling and reads a personal piece called "Dear Daughter," a letter about recognizing people who drain your energy and learning to protect your peace.Through memories and a poetic message, LJ offers clear advice about healthy love, boundaries, and listening to how your body feels when a connection leaves you empty — reminding listeners that walking away can be an act of self-respect.

The Black Sheep: A Christmas Poem About Loving Differently

On Christmas, a personal poem called "The Black Sheep" speaks to anyone who loves their family deeply but moves differently — choosing peace, protecting their energy, and sometimes being misunderstood.The poem traces childhood duty to adult choice, showing that love can remain true without constant presence and that gentle, honest boundaries are still love.

Choosing Stability: Why Peace Beats Familiar Chaos Part 2

In this episode, we unpack why chaos can feel familiar even when we say we want stability, and how emotional patterns quietly shape our relationships, finances, and housing decisions.

Choosing Stability: Why Peace Beats Familiar Chaos Part 1

Host LJ and longtime friend Brenden explore stability as a conscious choice, not a buzzword. They unpack how emotional patterns shape relationships, financial decisions, and housing, and why intensity is often mistaken for progress.
The episode traces their history back to 2006, discusses when to pause instead of push forward, and challenges listeners to ask where they choose chaos out of familiarity.