Here's something interesting that happened to me a few days ago that I thought I'd share with you all. 
I was at the grocery store picking up a few items (you know the usual) bread, eggs & milk etc...and when I got to the check out line the cashier asked paper or plastic?, then she noticed my Brokers name tag and immediately asked me "how is the market" my initial response was "why do you ask?" she instantly burst into tears...now I'm thinking to myself WOW what an awkward moment....
"Was it something I said"? I quickly replied; With a fist full of tears the cashier replied "NO" then started to apologize. So I pay for my items and she somberly asked if she could talk to me for a few moments being that I was a Realtor before I left the store, so I agreed and waited on the side for her to close her register. She started out by apologizing again about the outburst but she said she didn't know what else to do; you see this women is losing her home...I asked her where did she live and to tell me a little more about her situation. She explained that she had a great job as a chef for a popular restaurant and used to earn a 6 figure salary until the restaurant closed due to a shaky food industry. She went on to say that she had sold most of her jewelry, the extra car and mostly everything in the house of value on eBay or craigslist just trying to maintain her expenses and keep up with a $4,700 a month mortgage payment.
She also mentioned that she is working in this store because its miles away from her home and nobody would ever see her there not to mention she really needed the money.
She explained that she was 9 months behind on the mortgage and was fearful that an auction or sheriff sale was looming and didn't know where else to turn. 
She said the bank would not modify the loan because her income was too low and was asking if there was anything I could do? My first response in situations like this is to discuss the option of short selling the property, because I hate to see people go through a Foreclosure; she said she had never heard of a short sale and just asked that I do whatever I could to help her.
I visited the home and it was a beautiful place but It felt like the warmth had been taken away and the house felt very uninviting...it was missing couches and family pictures or signs of life and there was mail (bills) stacked up high on the kitchen table that I could barely recognize that it was a table. The house felt very cold. It felt like all the joy had been stripped away, so sad...
She apologized for the mess and we spoke for about 2 hours that night. Just so you all know I got the listing and will begin the tough journey ahead of trying to help this home owner some how, some way find a resolution...I will keep you all posted....
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