When life takes an unexpected turn, the search for stability becomes more than just a practical need: it becomes a lifeline. For Jessica H. and her family, that lifeline came in the form of a rental home through Main Street Renewal, after a devastating house fire turned their world upside down.
Jessica had never rented before. She was a homeowner, living in Fort Myers, FL, with her husband, two children, her mother, and her son’s fiancée, as well as numerous pets. But when their home burned down, they were suddenly displaced, grieving, and in urgent need of a place to live.
“We had six people, cats, dogs … all crammed into my house before the fire,” she said. “Afterward, we were staying with a friend temporarily, but it had to be very temporary. We were absolutely invading her space.”
The pressure to quickly find a new home was immense. Jessica began searching online and stumbled upon a listing from Main Street Renewal. What caught her attention was more than just the house; it was the location.
“The house was in the same neighborhood as our old house,” she explained. “My daughter was in high school and drove herself. She knew the route. I thought, ‘This could be perfect.’”
Jessica reached out to Main Street Renewal and was met with empathy and swift action.
“I called and explained our situation. The local leasing agent called me back and said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’ Within two weeks, we were moved in. It was so fast. It was amazing!”
The home checked all the boxes: it was the right size, in the right location, and most importantly, it allowed pets.
“We lost one dog and one cat in the fire,” Jessica shared, sadly. “I remember crying, saying, ‘I can’t get rid of my dog. He’s got a burn on his tail.’ And Main Street Renewal said, ‘No, no, no ... here’s what you need to do.’ That meant everything to me.”
For Jessica, a single-family home wasn’t just a preference but a necessity.
“We have multiple cars, and my mom has a disability and can’t do stairs. I also work from home and need a separate room that locks, because I deal with sensitive information. An apartment just wasn’t an option.”
When it came time to move forward with Main Street Renewal, Jessica found the application and move-in process were surprisingly smooth, especially given the circumstances.
“Everything was online. It was easy,” she said. “We had to track down some documents because of the fire, but overall, it was straightforward.”
Jessica’s story took another difficult turn when the contractor she hired to rebuild her original home turned out to be a fraud.
“I paid him a significant amount. Then my insurance company went bankrupt after a hurricane, and so I had to sell the house at a loss,” she recounted. “But through all of that, this rental has been our safe place.”
Despite the challenges, Jessica has found peace and stability in her Main Street Renewal home.
“I love this house. I treat it like it’s mine.”
Her experience with the local Main Street Renewal team has been largely positive.
“I’ve only reached out when it’s something major, like a burst pipe or the HVAC system ... we live in Florida, after all,” Jessica said. “Overall, Main Street Renewal responds quickly.”
But beyond the responsive service, Jessica appreciates the autonomy and respect she’s received as a Main Street Renewal resident.
“I pay my rent, I call if there’s a problem, and we’re good. I’ve renewed my lease multiple times. That says a lot.”
She’s also become an advocate for Main Street Renewal in her community.
“I see people posting online saying they can’t get help from their landlords. Personally, I can’t relate. I’ve recommended Main Street Renewal to people moving to the area. My experience has been really good.”
When asked what she would say to someone considering renting with Main Street Renewal, Jessica didn’t hesitate.
“This was where we came to be safe again during the biggest crisis of our lives. You guys did a lot. It was appreciated.”
Jessica’s story is a powerful reminder that a home is more than just a roof over your head: it’s a place to heal, rebuild, and find peace. Through compassion, responsiveness, and a commitment to quality, Main Street Renewal helped Jessica and her family find that peace when they needed it most.
Main Street Renewal is a licensed real estate brokerage.
We are focused on renovating and leasing homes across the country. We are proudly based in Austin, TX and have branches in 30 cities with more coming soon.