I want to share with you here a story that hits close to my heart and the gentleman featured in this report actually has ties to the network of Active Rain.
I'll provide links here for the back story on this and his connection to Active Rain, which, the long and short of it is that my husband's co-worker, Matt Budge, had a home in New Jersey that wasn't selling - it had been over 6 months - and he and his family were now living in Texas. Through the network of Active Rain and another professional home stager I got to know, Phyllis Parfumi, his home was staged and sold with the assistance of Phyllis and her staging recommendations and services.
You can read the story below but just this week we found out that Matt was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, the prognosis is not good.
His family is trying to move back to Utah but the apartment complex in McKinney, TX he resides in is holding him to the original contract and enforcing a $9,000 bill (fees being charged that he won't even use due to his prognosis.) One would think, under these life altering circumstances, compassion would prevail.
Please pray for this family and if I get more information on the apartment complex I would like to suggest that if you feel so led, let them know how what they are trying to enforce under these circumstances is wrong and let them know that they can take the higher road here.
Update: Jonathan Betz, a reporter for WFAA, Dallas, TX emailed me this afternoon with the information I requested. The name of the company that owns the apartment complex is here:
Western Rim Property Services
3130 Stag Rd
Dallas, TX 75241
(214) 290-9000
Get Directions: To here - From here
The name of the apartment complex is:
THE MANSIONS AT STONEBRIDGE RANCH
2305 Custer Road
McKinney, TX 75070
Tel: 972-562-8887
E-Mail: mailto:leasing@mansionsatstonebridge.com
Website http://www.mansionsatstonebridge.com/
Ms. Lori E. Bush
Vice President for Property Management
Western Rim Property Service, LP
601 Canyon Dr., Suite 101
Coppell, TX 75019
(972) 471-8700
(972) 471-8731
Fax. (972) 471-8729
Mr. Marcus D. Hiles
Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO
Western Rim Investment Advisors, Inc.
Mansion Custom Homes, LLC
Western Rim Property Service, LP
601 Canyon Dr., Suite 101
Coppell, TX 75019
(972) 471-8700
But as believers in Christ, we know that although his days here are short (as all of ours are - no day is ever promised) the hope of life everlasting is eternal.
Thank you for reading.
Connection to the Rain blogs on the back story:
The Network and Power of the Rain
Man dying of cancer not allowed out of lease
10:00 PM CDT on Friday, March 28, 2008
By JONATHAN BETZ / WFAA-TV
MCKINNEY -- Matt Budge worries his time is short. A month ago the 36 year-old found out he was dying of a rare form of cancer. He's scrambling to move his family with relatives in Utah.
But when he tried to break his lease at his McKinney apartment, four months early, he says the complex told him he would owe thousands in fees and rent. "For an apartment complex like this, $9,000 is not a whole lot of money. But for us that's a huge amount of money," said Budge.
Included in that $9,000 bill: $3200, two months in future rent, and then thousands more in fees. And even items, like re-imbursing the complex for a $75 credit given after a water leak.
He says his numerous appeals remain unanswered.
"We had the bishop of our congregation contact them and try to appeal to their sense of compassion and explain the situation, nothing there. It's like talking to a wall. They express sympathy and say there's nothing we can do," said Steve Buys, friend of the family.
The complex is holding them to the letter of the contract, and not doing much talking about it.
The Budge's are trying to focus on Matt's health. For now they're relying on friends, and their faith.
"Our future is in the hands of the Lord, not in a lease. But we would like to see them do the right thing," said Crystal Budge.
E-mail mailto:jbetz@wfaa.com?subject=budge
To view televised CNN Story on Video
Matthew & Crystal Budge Cancer Update Blog
I received this email from Steve Buys this afternoon and with his permission am including it below:
From: Steve Buys
Email: HelpMattBudge@gmail.com
Subject: your posts about Matt Budge
Hi Karen:
I just stumbled upon your blog containing the posts about my friend, Matt Budge, who has been on the TV/radio media over the last few days regarding his apartment complex not letting him out of his lease without paying almost $9K. Thanks for passing the word about this situation. I am the "family friend" featured in the TV news spot, and I am handling the resolution of the lease issues on behalf of Matt and his family. If you or others on your site are interested in hearing about how this gets resolved, feel free to email me at HelpMattBudge@gmail.com in the coming days. I expect to have it resolved one way or the other within the next week or so. You can also find updated info about Matt at the following website: matthewbudge.blogspot.com.
--Steve Buys
WFAA UPDATE 4/1/08
Cancer patient and family find unexpected help 
By JONATHAN BETZ / WFAA-TV
Video 
Jonathan Betz reports 03/31/08 STORY: Man dying of cancer can't get out of lease LINK: Matthew Budge's blog LINK: KLUV 98.7 FM LINK: Western Rim Property Services MORE: News 8 video View larger E-mail Clip More Video
The Budge family has plenty on their minds. Matt Budge is dying of cancer, and they're trying to move in with family in Utah.
But now they do have one less thing to worry about.
When the Budges tried to break their lease early at their apartment complex, the Mansions at Stonebridge Ranch in McKinney, the family says the complex wanted nearly $9,000 in fees and future rent. It was more than they can afford.
"We're trying to position our family to be in the best position they can, regardless of the outcome, and $9,000 makes a tremendous difference to that," said Crystal Budge, Matt's wife.
But since our story last week, donations have been pouring in. Especially from one big donor, who announced on the KLUV radio morning radio show she would pay the entire bill. "We're awed and humbled," said Matt Budge.
The donor, we're told, is a wealthy widow who wants to be anonymous, but helps different causes.
The Budges only wanted the fees waived. Donations were never expected, but are certainly appreciated.
"We have been amazed at the response of people who have wanted to help, and we've appreciated that," said Budge.
The family's apartment complex and its owners, Coppell-based Western Rim Property Services, have still not returned our multiple calls for comment.
The Budges now hope to re-focus on bigger issues, relieved and grateful at the kindness of a stranger.
E-mail mailto:jbetz@wfaa.com?subject=budge
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