I am a mother of an 11 year old little girl, and we moved here to Springfield with high hopes of starting a new life. We’re from Kansas, and we’re not used to this busy life that Springfield offers, but we love it. My roommate, daughter and I, had been living in an apartment since we moved here in 2008. We settled for an apartment knowing we would want a house eventually.

Finally in February, we were able to start looking. We weren’t going to settle again, so we were very careful in what we picked. We spent almost two months, lots of driving time, and phone calls to houses for rent. We couldn’t find the perfect one. Finally on March 22nd we were contacted by Mindy Wolf at 417.com (417 realty LLC owned by Chris Gatley). After emailing back and forth, on March 23rd Mindy gave us a list of 19 houses to go look at. Of those 19 we picked 17 and mapped them. Loaded up in our car, and went looking. House after house was just a disappointment, until finally we came to the last house on the list. 1675 E Dale, Springfield, MO. 65803. It’s beautiful! Huge kitchen, a bathroom big enough to fit a full size bed in, and still be able to get to the tub, toilet and sink (no, I didn’t try it, I’m just giving you a visual), and a backyard that my daughter would just love! The bedrooms are good sized, and the best part, no white walls! Every wall is painted, and everything looks wonderful! It was the best thing to happen to us, and the rent was only $475 deposit $475 and the pet deposit for my daughters cat and my dog was only $100! A total of $1050. I ran on it! I wanted it now! Called Mindy back, let her know I was interested. She told me to meet her in Brookline Missouri at Parakeet Apartments, apparently this is the office for 417.com, so I did. Met her there, signed a 24 month lease gave her cash because she wouldn’t accept a check, and then I got the keys to my new house!!! I was happier than ever, and finally thrilled to be in such a wonderful place!

We started moving our stuff in Friday March 26th. It took us 3 days, from sun up to sun down to get everything in that house. I bought new appliances, because the house came unfurnished, and I was careful about what I picked because I wanted the new home to be perfect!

I was off that Monday to finish moving, and then as we’re bringing in the last load something weird happened… A man, with a truck and trailer pulls up in front of the house. He asks us “Did you just buy this house?” I said “no, why?” This is where I find out that the weed prior the house was on a foreclosure list. Kind of freaked me out. I went ahead and let him do his business, he needed to take some pictures. I was told that last week the property had a lock box on it, and that since it didn’t now, the landlord probably bought the house. I assumed as much or that the man had the wrong address. I went on about my day, and went to work that Tuesday (March 30th ).

I decided that curiosity was killing me so I called the Greene County Collector. The Collector brings all my worst fears. The house is not owned by Chris Gatley, nor has it ever been owned by Chris Gatley. I panic. I get a friend to call a friend, and I finally get a hold of the man who came and took the pictures at the house. He tells me that the bank is mad, and that they are thinking about getting me for trespassing. He gives me the name of the broker, and I call the broker. This is where I’m told that the bank that owns the house hired out an asset company in California to get rid of the property. Chris Gatley is supposed to be buying the house but it has not been finalized yet. Chris was denied his first go around, and they may be denied again. The broker tells me I need to get out immediately! I am at a loss. I just got this place, and now everyone wants me to leave???

Apparently, the guy who took the pictures called Chris Gatley’s business and tells him to give me my money back so I can get out, and so I don’t get in trouble. Chris and Mindy then call me at work. They tell me that yes in fact Chris does not yet own the house, and that I will need to get out. They will pay all moving expenses and put me up in another house until this one closes. I agreed to go look at two more properties. Thinking I still wanted this house the whole time.

I just want my money back! I’m not staying here. So I finally decide on this and let Chris now that I want all my expenses, and rent back, and he agrees to meet me at my house at 4:00PM on Wednesday with movers, and my money. We agree.

Wednesday, Chris did not come. He did send three very nice people to help move my stuff but Chris regretted to tell them that this was a six room house with boxes packed ceiling to floor because I had not unpacked. I had full appliances, and it had taken me three days to do it, and he told them it would only be a couple loads with their flat bed trailer.

They called Chris, let Chris know he was wrong, and then Chris spoke with me on their phone. He tells me to just meet him at his office and we’d speak face to face about it. I told him ok. I said I’d be there between 5:30 and 6. I drove all the way to Brookline, MO to see him. Waited til 6:15 and then called the police. I knew Chris lives behind the Parakeet Apartments, and I wanted a cop to be there if I needed to knock on the door. A sheriff actually shows up. He tells me that nobody can make me move. I have to be evicted. I tell the sheriff that an eviction is not something I want on my record, and all I want is my money back. He gives me some helpful information and waits a little bit while we wait for Chris. Finally Chris calls. He tells us he had an emergency right after we got off the phone and he had to go to Springfield. He said he’d bring me a check. I told him that it would be unacceptable. I wanted cash or a money order. He took quite some time to agree, but finally he did. We agreed he’d be at my house by 9 on Thursday morning.

Mindy called me that night around 9:30 to get all of my fees and expenses, and I break them down for her. The total at the moment was $1828.75. She agreed to that, and then tells me I couldn’t have the check until I sign something saying that I agree to not pursue legal matters. I told her I would not sign because at this moment I am homeless due to Chris and this scheme. She said she’d call back.

Right before bed, she did. We agreed on the amount and that Chris would call when he was headed this way in the morning. He did, but he did not come to my house. He sent a gentleman that asked for my ID. I gave it to him, gave a receipt, and went about my day. Chris wants me out as soon as possible, which I will do. He also wants me to make sure “the house is clean”. He said that he will call me when the house comes available again. I said sure. Put me on the list!

I rented a home, from someone who did not own the home. This was the happiest and worst week of my life. Now, after moving in last weekend, I will be moving out this weekend. I am getting a Uhaul, putting my stuff in storage and moving in with friends because I have nowhere to go. We can’t find a place as good as this for as cheap as this. It just doesn’t happen. I got lucky to find this one, and now I lost two houses in one week. I’m physically and emotionally drained. Chris should have helped move my stuff to storage, he shouldn’t have let me go through this twice in one weeks time. It’s unfair, and it’s morally wrong to do this to someone!

This morning I woke up, in this house on Dale, and hoped to goodness someone would call and say APRIL FOOLS!!!! It didn’t happen. I’m starting to re-pack my things, and get things in order once again. After picking my daughter up from school, she says “where are we going?” I said, “home”. She said to me, and broke my heart “Where is home?”

I just want someone to tell me what I’m supposed to do. I know the bank is not at fault, and I feel horrible for being on their property that I do not belong at. Chris should never be able to do this to someone ever again. He knows better! He has a Missouri Realtor license, and he knows better than to do this. I wonder how many times he did it and got away with it. I would have gladly stayed at my apartment and waited for this house to come available. I still love it, but I will never rent a house from 417.com, Melinda Wolf or Chris Gatley EVER again. Please let everyone know about this issue and this man. He is not going to convince me this was a mistake. I’m convinced this was a jump of the gun because he just “knew” he’d get the house. This should have never happened. It did happen, and I’m dealing with that. It’s just too bad my little girl has to endure yet another move. We can’t, as a community, stand for this! People need to know they have the right to check on their landlords just as they check on you. It’s better to be safe than sorry.