Brett Ritchie and his fiancée Sherri Adkins had long strived to become homeowners. Their three-bedroom rental has plenty of space for Adkins' 5-year-old and 10-year-old sons to play. The Gulf Gate neighborhood also is safe, which became even more important last year with the couple's addition of twin baby boys. But the home is riddled with problems — from ripped patio screens to sagging counter tops and cracks in the interior walls — which their landlord refuses to repair. Now paying $1,100 per month, the family would love to instead buy a home of their own. But like many young families these days, a slew of financial challenges has made that goal seem further and further out of...
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