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Solving the Foreclosure Crisis - One Person At a Time!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY REB.755648

Clearly the economy is in crisis.  I've listed three foreclosure homes this week, and each one of those homes had a sad story to tell.  Foreclosures do NOT happen quickly.  Each of these homes showed the evidence of long term hardship before they went to foreclosure.  Deferred maintenance was only part of the story. I am reminded that the lives of the  people were affected even more than their homes.

While the government seeks to institute programs and regulations to solve this crisis at a national level, I am reminded that there are people struggling very close to home!  Even as people are struggling, they are looking for new jobs, part-time jobs, even small odd-jobs to bring in a little more here and a little more there. And they are tightening up those wallets, squeezing every last penny out of their current resources.They are negotiating their credit card rates, making special payment arrangements, cutting out the cable, and the phone, and setting aside some bills that they just can't pay right now--some of those will end up in collections or court.  And if that's not enough stress, they are dodging bill collectors phone calls and trying to make sure their utilities don't get turned off.

Foreclosure Solutions - time can run outEven when they have slashed their expenses, and found additional avenues to create income, recovery takes time! And sometimes, there isn't enough time to recover before the foreclosure or bankruptcy is on the horizon. Sometimes the prolonged stress results in medical problems, and that just slows down the recovery.

I know there have been four foreclosures on my own street in the past two years.  I am reminded of their individual struggles as I walk through my three new foreclosed home listings this week, and I think we all need to become more community-minded on an individual scale. 

So what can we do to slow down the foreclosure machine?  I believe it's time we started looking out for our neighbors a little bit more, and take notice of what's going on close to home.  If you don't know if your neighbors are struggling, perhaps its time to take a walk around your neighborhood and get to know them, or catch up with those you haven't spoken to in the last few months...

In reality, WE are the solution.

Here are a few practical one-on-one suggestions to help your neighbors keep their homes and families running until they are able to recover financially:

Foreclosure Solutions - groceries1. Donate to your local foodbank or church with a pantry. They can help reach people you can't. 

2. Be aware of what's going on in your own neighborhood. Has someone gotten laid off or hours cut back? Maybe they need a bag of groceries dropped on their porch..or a gift card for the local grocery taped to their door.

3. Even high school grads and college students are under-employed and un-employed this year. Maybe you can hire them to do some household chores or run some errands to help take the stress off parents who may be struggling themselves with the current economic atmosphere.

 

Foreclosure Solutions - Pizza Night!

4. Build relationships in your neighborhood. You won't know who needs your help (personal or professional), or even just your prayers, if you don't know your neighbors.

 

 

 

5. Invite a struggling family over for pizza and a movie night at your home. Trust me, if they're really tightening their belts, they aren't getting out for any personal entertainment...it's just too expensive!

 

Foreclosure solutions - yardwork6.  If you see deferred yard maintenance, it may be a sign that someone can't afford the lawn service they've always used, or they can't afford to get the broken lawnmower fixed.  It might be time to offer some physical assistance.  I know...some of your neighbors might be too proud to accept the help...but some will be sooo grateful. 

7. If you talk with a neighbor in financial difficulty with their home, encourage them to explore their options NOW. Have them call a trusted local real estate agent or attorney to make sure they take advantage of all the options available: loan modifications can help them save their home, a short sale can help them preserve their credit at a higher level than a foreclosure.

 

 

If you have some other suggestions, please leave them in the comment section!  Maybe we can all help solve the foreclosure crisis one house at a time, one person at a time.

 

Posted by

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Serving the North Central Connecticut region, Hartford County, and the communities of Windsor, Bloomfield, Hartford, East Hartford, South Windsor, Manchester, Windsor Locks, Suffield, Enfield, East Windsor, Somers and the Granbys...

Opening Doors to Home Ownership . . . The Master's Key . . .

Residential Sales, Short Sales and Foreclosure Prevention, Multi-Family and Investment Properties, Condominium and Property Management

Lisa Orme on LINKED INRealtor logoThe Master's Key Realty fan page           LISA ORME        Lisa Orme on TWITTEREqual HousingRSS

 

Licensed in the State of Connecticut, ABR, CRS, GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Public, Lic. #REB.755648

 Broker/Owner of The Master's Key Realty LLC, 340 Broad Street, #320, Windsor, Connecticut 06095

To contact Lisa, call 860-688-1400 or send an e-mail to lisa@masterskeyrealty.com

Copyright, Lisa Orme, 2010.  All rights reserved.

Comments (33)

Chris Hill
Century 21 New Millennium - California, MD
Your Southern Maryland Real Estate Professional

You are so right. I will re-blog this! It is so true that we need to give as much of ourselves as we can expecially in tough times.Thank you for sharing.

Aug 21, 2010 01:18 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Chris  -- thanks for reading and re-blogging!  I know that even one at a time, we can all make a difference!

Aug 21, 2010 01:44 AM
Chad and Sandy Neumann
Chad and Sandy Real Estate Group - Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Realtor (904-414-6200)

You all are right -- we shouldn't wait for someone else to solve problems. We can implement positive change on our own and bring a good rep to our industry and an inspiration to our neighbors all at the same time. Thanks for getting the ball rolling!

Aug 21, 2010 03:03 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Tish-- thank you so much for the re-blog -- the ultimate compliment!  I too am a strong believer in "paying it forward"!

Aug 21, 2010 04:07 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Hello Neumann Realty--Thanks for your support...keep that ball rolling!

Aug 21, 2010 04:08 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

I also linked back to this blog in my blog this morning -- hope it drives some more traffic to your great post!

Aug 21, 2010 04:17 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Lisa - what I like about this is the fact that you asked for a second chance for the post to be noticed. And you want feedback - clearly you've gotten quite a bit.  And that speaks volumes as to the importance of this subject.  We have been working with families in distress for way over 2+ years and never gets easier. Many people just need a little extra kindess, a little help with groceries or perhaps a lead on a job.  We're all in this together and together we CAN solve the foreclosure crisis. I believe strongly that as experienced agents/brokers it's our responsiblity to get homes closed as short sales if at all possible.  Many people don't now who to turn too - and many agents don't know how to work on short sale. It's time to learn and be mentored by those agents who do. This will help the foreclosure crisis as well.

Featured in BananaTude!

Aug 21, 2010 04:27 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Tish - Thanks for link back--your story was great too!

Anna -- Thanks for commenting! I DO think it's an important subject and that we must all work together!  Thanks for doing your part in spreading the word!

Aug 21, 2010 04:34 AM
Curt Hess
ExecuHome Realty - Annapolis, MD
Luxury Home Consultant, Team Leader & CEO

Lisa - this is great advice for LIVING, period. No matter whether a neighbor is being threatened with foreclosure or apartment eviction. Methinks it is the basis for every religion! (And in the fine moral character of every non-religious person as well.) Thanks for the reminder.

Aug 21, 2010 07:33 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Thanks Curt...any one of us could need that helping hand, and so everyone of us needs to BE a helping hand!

Aug 21, 2010 07:59 AM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Lisa -- It is heartwrenching when I show foreclosures.  It is also hearwarming to see a buyer of mine purchase a foreclousre with an FHA 203(K) loan and transform it, help to stablize the neighborhood as well as property values.  I referred him to exceptional contractors who perform great work at competitive prices -- all local, small business owners who are helping to keep local dollars local and invested in our own communities.

Aug 21, 2010 05:29 PM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Chris-- That is making the best lemonade out of a pile of lemons==it's good to have the money go back into the community through its own small business owners!

Aug 21, 2010 05:38 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Lisa - Recovery does take time, you're right.  Wonderful thoughts and ideas here.  It seems you've got a damn good soul and I dig that.  You also have a new subscriber as well:)

Besides, it sure beats burning down the freaking house!

 

Aug 21, 2010 10:04 PM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Jason, thank you for the musical interlude...and the distinction of having someone with over 300,000 AR points on my subscription list...I am humbled.

Aug 22, 2010 05:30 PM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Lisa~ I am trying to catch up on some post that I had made note to read and this one was well worth it! Lots of great ideas.  The sermon on Sunday was along the same lines that we get so involved with our own lives that we forget to look around.  Someone could be in great need right under our nose.  I do try to give whenever I can but usually to strangers in difficult times, I need to also keep my eyes open close to home to. Thanks for the reminder!

Aug 23, 2010 04:36 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Thanks for going back to read this one...I'm glad it struck a chord with you. It's important to know what's going on "right under our nose".

Aug 23, 2010 04:49 AM
Margaret C. Taylor
Century 21 New Millennium MD - Mechanicsville, MD
St Marys/Calvert/Charles MD Real Estate Agent

Thanks for being caring and reminding us to care too.  I'm sure there are many people suffering "behind closed doors".  These are difficult times.  Margaret C.

Sep 04, 2010 02:47 AM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Margaret - We've gotta help one another if we're all going to get through to the other side of this financial mess!

Sep 04, 2010 03:45 AM
Anonymous
Kelly

I am a 46yr single woman who lost my job in July, after losing 5 loved ones to cancer last year and being a primary caretaker to my dad. Losing my job I thought was the icing on the cake, now I am faced with the reality of a poor job market and the fear of losing my home and all I have worked so hard to hold onto for the past 7yrs. I rented a video from the library on short sales, vs foreclosures and credit and the emotional damages of it all. I have been fighting depression and the pysical ailments now hitting me of lack of appetite and frozen in fear. I know I can not wait til things hit rock bottom but every day it looms over me and makes feeling less optimistic about even getting out of bed to try. People telling me others are in the same boat, I am not alone etc. helps a bit but does not take away the anxiety and fear that begins the minute the eyes open. When you have to think twice about taking the car out, for fear of using gas unwisely, it makes it hard to get out and away from the situation for a while. There is so much more that goes on "inside" the body, mind and the closed doors of those struggling alone while the world just seems to be moving along without you. It is a sad reality I wish upon no one.

Thank you for your article, it helped to educate me a bit more that maybe short sale is worth trying before foreclosure? Do I contact a local realtor for guidance?

 

Dec 08, 2011 01:49 AM
#32
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

Kelly, Thanks for sharing your story with me...I'm sorry you are going through such a difficult time. I know what is like when the overload of stress starts affecting you physically as well as emotionally...Situations like yours can be paralyzing...so many do not move forward and take action when they should.  A short sale could be a way to avoid foreclosure, but it is important to make sure you have an agent with sufficient short sale experience to guide you through the process.  If you would like to give me a call at my office, I will be glad to search out and provide you with the names of one or two qualified real estate agents in your area who have the experience you need.

Dec 14, 2011 04:10 AM