I've been doing REO properties for a little over a year now. We have approximately 80 in our database and even represent one of our banks in their out of state by referring those properties to other Realtors. I love my job and couldn't imagine doing anything else. And then yesterday happened...
I had this property rekeyed and showed up yesterday morning to see the damage, I was told from the friendly locksmith it was damaged severely. As I drove up I saw couches from the 70's thrown outside, lots of trash and debree, a typical day as the "foreclosure specialist" in the area. NO problem right? Well, I opened the lockbox and preceded to walk into the home and much to my surprise we found...strange drugs, can't go in. For those who don't know, and believe me, I didn't know either, this is very dangerous and hazardous. I walked right past not realizing, I had my business partners scarf over my face to try to rid my nose of the severe odor. We looked at the rooms, the haggard flooring, busted walls and came back to the living room where we stopped. Looked at each other. And ran like we hadn't in a very long time. I felt as though I was on an episode of Law and Order.
The saddest thing by the way, was all of the children's pictures, clothes and toys left in the home. Yes, I said children, small children for that matter.
I don't know if others do, I know I do get criticized. "How can you do this job? These houses had hard working Americans that lost their homes to layoffs!" My response typically is someone has to do it. This is my career and I take the most sincere approach in helping owners and tenants still living in the home. I try to work with the bank to stop from the foreclosure from happening."
After my experience yesterday, I went home, took a shower, kissed my children and my hubby and prayed. I don't do that everyday. I can not imagine living that life, and I often forget even in this tough market how lucky we are. As for the foreclosures, I have more appreciation in my partner, my self and all the other REO agents that are working this market. It's not as easy as our competition and critics like to assume.
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