This topic has been on my mind a lot recently - we are told as bloggers we should write about what we're thinking. So here I go !

For the most part we as realtors are caring and loyal, we are here just like everyone else trying to get by and make a living. Most of us do not have those RED HORNS and GREENTAILS  like so many think we do.

We are faced with daily challenges like everyone else.

I lost my home in the Valley Center Paradise fire, having just moved to the area 6 weeks previously. My family and I and our 2 dogs ran from our home at 2am on Sunday morning Oct 26th 2003, with nothing more than our nightclothes.

Two years later we finally recieved partial payment on our home insurance (it was'nt much believe me after attorneys fees over 2 years) But it was enough to put a down payment on a home.

 Sept 2008, our home is now in foreclosure - I thought long and hard about admitting that realtors make mistakes also. There are so many realtors out there who are loosing their homes - it does happen to us - after all we're only human.

 We were not frivolous - we just bought a home for our family and like thousands of others were misled. We should have understood the consequences of the loan. 

But should these loans ever have been allowed ?

  I am tired of the stress just like you who might be going through challenges.

I am tired of asking people who I think should know - what is the right thing to do short sale or foreclosure? - no one has an answer.

 Because this home has emotional ties with the loss of our home in the Paradise fire that night is on my mind constantly.

I am so grateful my family and I have survived this and will continue to do so - it has been a learning experience, but because of this we are stronger, more compassionate and caring to others.

 I do know that I am becoming an expert on foreclosures and short sales having gone through this myself.

So if you are looking for some advice let me know, at the very least I can share with you what I have learnt from my first hand experience.