She sold her home, just to keep living in it

In 2024, on the outskirts of Chicago, Jillian VanTuyle came to the realization that her $60,000 worth of credit card debt was no longer tenable. On a public educator’s salary, all VanTuyle could do was make sure her debt didn’t grow.

“My credit card payments were $2,500 a month. I realized it wasn’t a sustainable situation,” said VanTuyle.

So, she started searching for a solution. With $150,000 of equity stuck in the home she owned, she attempted to refinance but was ultimately denied due to her credit score. So, VanTuyle decided selling the house was her only option.

“If I’m selling my house, I have to live somewhere. But my credit is so terrible, I can’t rent an apartment,” VanTuyle said. "And I thought, ‘Too bad I can’t sell my house to someone who would rent it to me.’”

Turns out, she could do exactly that.

“The house was appropriately listed at $325,000, and I sold it for $300,000. My rent is $2,500 versus a $1,400 mortgage. I gave them seven months' rent up front at closing,” she explained. “We've only met in person once. They got a great deal on a house, and I have no more credit card debts.”

To listen to VanTuyle’s full story, click the audio player above.