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Dear former homeowner - Your letter is still there, on the kitchen counter.

Dear former homeowner,

It is quite possible you won't ever find this and read this but I had to try. Old letter

Today I brought potential buyers in to view the home that you once owned and unfortunately lost through foreclosure.

When we first entered the home we were amazed at how well maintained it appeared to be, and were delighted by the fact that it wasn't a "typical" foreclosure home that we had been used to seeing.

Upon entering the kitchen we saw a piece of paper on the counter that
was hand written. I knew it wasn't something from the bank owner, or
property manager. As I drew closer to it and picked it up I felt chills
going through me. It was your letter, the one you wrote and probably
thought would be removed.

In the letter you described so hauntingly what happened to you and your family and how you lost your home that you obviously loved and cared for. I'm not ashamed to admit that I became emotional while reading it and couldn't finish it. You see, your story is not unlike many others in Michigan. The whole state is in an economic crisis and many families have lost their livelihoods and homes. The reality of that hits us smack in the face each and every day and it hurts. It's hard to see this and not become emotional.

I can only imagine how hard it was for you to write it, I feel I owe it to you to go back to the home and finish
reading your letter.

The potential buyers that I brought through your home also read part of it. They couldn't finish it either.
It saddened them to read your words, especially after seeing how well you took care of your home and obviously took pride in it.

I don't know what else to say. I'm at a loss for words but wanted you to know I'm grateful that you
weren't. Your words are still there on that piece of paper on the kitchen counter. There have been many people through the home over the last several months and no one has removed the letter. Your words also wishing the new owners happiness also will be read and cherished by whomever purchases the home.

I pray that wherever you are and whatever you are now doing you will find prosperity and peace for you
and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Kris Wales

Photo courtesy of Laineys Repertroire hosted at Flickr

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Posted by Kris Wales - Macomb County MI real estate blog & homes for sale search site on 06/22/2008 01:25 PM

Comments (34)

foreclosures in macomb county mi

This post has been included in Michigan Information Macomb County, MI Information
Post is included in group: Michigan Real Estate

34 Comments on Dear former homeowner - Your letter is still there, on the kitchen counter.

JUN

2008

Nicely put, Kris.

After seeing so many bizarrely trashed out foreclosures, it is sadly jolting to see the beloved home that was lost by a family.

There are so many families going through that right now. It's a shame we can't help them all.

Hi Kris, I am a Michigan transplant and have many friends connected tio the market there. I really do feel a deep sense of loss when hearing a story like this. I hope many wonderful things happen for them soon.

Those are the ones that hurt the most. The lovely cared for beautifuly maintained homes that you can tell were truely a home. It must be an amazing letter to not have been removed by someone already. It probably has touched everyone like it touched you to where they feel it needs to stay as well. Thanks for sharing, hopefully the previous owners are getting back on their feet and will be ok through all of this mess. Also I hope the next homeowners love and appreciate the home like the previous owners did.

thanks for sharing this touching story. The poor foreclosure victim really showed alot of class by not trashing the home before they left but also left a letter to the new home owners.

You really have to pull for people like that.

Sometimes I will stumble upon a fragment of some signs of previous life in a forclosure that seems so sad, like a child's name in script painted on a bedroom wall, or a single tulip plant in a flowerpot, long since dead from lack of water.

Mike: I have to go back out in a few minutes to show more homes, and I tell ya...I'm still emotional about this one. It's going to be hard to look at more foreclosures today.

Patrick: The sadness is always there within the homes. This one, with this letter, jolted it into my heart today.

Bill: I hope so also. The affects of this on families is enormous.

Chris: I was surprised also that with everyone going through that home that it was still there. Everyone who read it must have treated it with the same reverance as we did.

Andrew: I hope wherever they are that they are getting back on their feet and will someday own another home that they love.

Richard: ..or toys left behind. Yes, we see it also. Touching and sad at the same time.

Kris - what a touching post about these unfortunate former homeowners. Don't you wish there was something that could be done for them. Some people choose to just walk from their homes because of irresponsibility, but this family really had it rough it seems. How beautiful for her to reach out to someone else during her hard time.

Linda: There is so much that needs to be done, starting with job security in our state. Until the citizens of our state have that, we'll see much more of this. Most of the foreclosures in our area are not "walk aways". People desperately try to hang on...

Your post gave me chills too. I get that wave of sadness as I show homes that were obviously loved by the families that have been forced to move out. It seems that they were often in the midst of home improvement projects that clearly they wouldn't have started if they knew what was coming at them.

Oh this is so very haunting and sad. I know that economic hard times doesn't even begin to describe what has happened in Michigan. I pray for a solution soon for you all.

I've seen some really bizarre forclosures in my day, and it is rare to see one that has been so loved. They always move me....

Ugh. That would have been hard for me to get through as well.

There are so many sad stories out there, we've all run across them I'm sure. My heart has ached as I try so hard (and FAIL miserably) to keep my emotions out of the transactions :(

I hope somehow the actual previous homeowners, and those that might feel the same, will find your article and realize that there are people out there that care.

Kris, I haven't seen the letter and still find this heartbreaking. Whenever I pass a foreclosed or bank owned home I wonder how the people are that had to leave.....

Kris, omg, while I haven't been in that particular house, I have been in alot of bank owned homes, just as I know you have. The past 2 weeks, I've been in alot of them. I was thinking about writing a blog about this, about how sad it is. I was in some this past week where I saw what was obviously the kids room, and can't help but feel bad for the family that had to leave.

Kris... well done. I have heard so many of the horror stories when it came to foreclosed homes and how they were destroyed. Okay, so you went a bad way, your life took a turn for the worse. But have some respect in yourself and the property that you are leaving behind. Again, great letter and a great message for all to read.

jeff belonger

JUN

2008

Kris, good story. I know that there are many people throughout the US that feel the same way... Struggled to buy their American Dream just for it to turn into a nightmare due to the economy... Let's hope and pray that they will recover and purchase a better dream someday...

Beth: I've seen much the same thing (unfinished projects, improvements that were never enjoyed..) You can't see those things and not be affected by them. Thanks Beth.

Dedra: It is hard, and becoming even harder as time goes on. We've been seeing this for 2+ years now in Michigan and frankly it needs to end. So many families and neighborhoods affected..(btw, I love your area of Alabama!)

Kim: I thought about posting the address thinking Google would pick it up, but then I didn't want to cause any embarrassment to them either. I hope they find it somehow, and know the letter is still there.

Carole: As do I. Where did they go to? Are they in a better financial position now? Did they have to leave the state to find jobs? So many unanswered questions and always so sad.

Mike: It's in Macomb Township. If you are going to be out that way and want to see it just call me and I'll give you the address. It is heartbreaking isn't it?

Jeff: When I go into the homes that have been left in less than desirable condition I always keep in mind just how stressful it must have been for the homeowners. We all do things in times of great stress that we regret later don't we? I just want it all to end for people..the uncertainty, the job losses, the loss of their homes.

Michael: We see the for sale signs, and see the listings in the multilist, yet until you've gone into one and see the signs of families that used to call it home, it's hard to comprehend. This one brought me to tears.

Interesting experience. Foreclosures happen to good people...and they don't all trash the house on the way out.

Kris, we are in the process of renting a house to a wonderful couple who's first home was forclosed on, they are packed and ready to go, when it is keyed. It is so sad, they did a 80/20, her husband was laid off twice from a manufacturing job and the adjustable kept increasing. It broke my heart. I don't do rents, too much work but I was compelled to help this sweet young couple out. I have said before their is a sad story behind every foreclosure, and 90% of the time in Michigan it is not people who just didn't pay.

Kris,
The human condition part of it all is very sad and I've often wondered where all of these people are going. Do they find rentals? Do they go to live with family? Does their marriage crumble? What is becoming of all of them?
The media doesn't seem to write much about the faces behind the scene and I'm thankful there are caring people like you who do...

Jo

Kris, I just flagged this one - it really needs to be featured. You have really put a human face on the forclosure crisis, and I think this is the most beautiful thing I've seen posted on Active Rain.

There are so many stories behind the foreclosures, it is unbelievable. I've actually done four buyer side closings this month and all were foreclosure. I was happy for the buying couples, but I wonder what lead to the situation and the heartbreak on the other side.

Gary: No, they don't. In fact most don't. The neglected condition that we find in most is because they have been vacant for a length of time without basic utilities on. (Gee, haven't I ranted about that before?) Sorry. I don't know about others, but most foreclosures that I have been in show signs of being lovingly owned.

Missy: You are one of those caring people that I talked about earlier. One of my investor clients recently rented a home to someone who was down on their luck, and as she said "Everyone needs a helping hand and a 2nd chance." God bless her and you for doing what you can to help others. I read an article recently that said Michigan and Ohio foreclosures were mostly economically based. (The media is just now noticing this???)

Jo-Anne: I've often sat outside these homes before going inside, steeling myself to think of it as just a vacant home. But when I go inside I can't harden myself that way. Most have signs of former lives: Kids rooms decorated, etc. Like you I've asked myself the same questions.

Patricia: Thank you. Your kind thoughts and words of encouragement are always cherished and welcomed.

Ronald: It's always rewarding to have buyer clients purchase new homes, ones they will love and take care of. Like you though, I have empathy for the former owners who could no longer stay in the homes, and wonder if they are ok, are they doing better..? It's hard isn't it?

Kris

In Michigan we have friends and sometimes relatives that have lost their homes in this recent downturn. I used to think those that lost their homes were the same people over and over. the ones who didn't manage their money well. Who probably didn't care as it was a way of life. always riding that thin line. Today that's not the case some are people who just bought their first home and then lost their. A lot of people kep their job but the pay was cut substantially. the value of their home dropped to where they couldn't sell it and they didn't have anything else to do. Some tried to hang on but just couldn't anymore. I feel very sorry for those people and I hope the economy turns around and they can get back on their feet. When we complain how sales are down, values are down because of foreclosures remember how well we still have it.

JUN

2008

I think, like you I'm not sure I could have finished the letter either. I've got a few war time letters that came with the house I have listed presently and I too haven't been able to read through all of them. reading how months have passed since they have seen each other and how the war had torn them apart and they can't wait to be back together again. It is hard to read such passion in a letter and know you can't go back in time and do something about it.

Jeff: You got it right. It isn't the same people over and over again, or poor money management. It's the economy in this state. For example: The bread winner loses their job and is either a: unable to find a new one or b: finds one at 1/2 the pay. Each and every day I'm grateful for our home and my husbands job.

Todd: Oh Todd, those would make me cry. Like you I probably wouldn't be able to get through them either.

Kris, I work with a Realtor who deals solely in foreclosures. I have staged numerous houses for her, and I'm always conscious of the fact that bad circumstances transpired for the previous homeowners. These houses truly seem to emit an air of sadness, and I wonder if potential buyers pick up on that too. I try to combat that with my staging, and so far, they have all resulted in sales. Thankfully, I've never run into a letter like that--I would have lost it for sure.

I, too, often wonder about the people who used to live there. I hope that they've been able to land on their feet and turn things around. It's pretty dismal here in Michigan these days. We can only hope for an upswing soon.

Kris- What a courageous family, to think that in the last moments before they are being forced to leave, and they take the time to write a letter sharing a history and a blessing. Thanks for sharing such a great story.

JUL

2008

Very nice post - I had chills reading it.

NOV

2008

Wow I found this from your Mulligan comment on Rich's post and I so agree with you. My heart goes out to so many people who are in this same position. I'm glad I read this Kris.

NOV

2008

Okay, I have tears running down my face as I read this. I certainly wish these former owners the best, and I hope they have had landed on their feet. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.

APR

I had a similar experience while showing several short sales to a buyer. My clients were first time buyers who could only afford to purchase because the market has declined so much. While showing a vacant home, I could see what looked like a piece of paper on top of the fireplace mantle. It was an anniversary card from the husband to his wife with a very loving note written inside. It broke my heart. I began to think of all the wonderful memories they probably had in that home, and then thought about how difficult and stressful things must have gotten for them before they decided to do a short sale and move out. It's great that my clients could afford to buy because of the short sales and foreclosures but it's also very sad to think about the difficulties that families and homeowners are facing in these times.

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