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Every Picture Tells A Story Don't It? (Rod Stewart)

As most of you know by now my market area is in the pits. Foreclosures and Short Sales abound. Property values have plummeted almost 65% in the last 24 months. Properties that sold for $350,000 can now be had for as low as $100,000 in some areas. Deals are every where.

Since I specialize in selling Short Sales and Foreclosures business is booming. I have so many Buyers wanting to "purchase a deal" that I can't get to them all.

"More business than I know what to do with." I can't even count how many times I have said that in the last couple of months. It sounds like a REALTORS® dream doesn't it?

Well let me tell the other side of the story.

I spoke to a beautiful young couple last week that I have known for several years. They have always seemed so happy. They called me because they are now getting a divorce. Loss of jobs and financial hardship have taken their toll. Instead of sticking together and fighting through these difficulties they have been overcome with stress. They relieve the stress by fighting with each other. In about 4-6 months their home will be a "deal" for some lucky Investor.........

Florida Foreclosure

A potential Seller called me this week. Very nice person. We had a long conversation about what needed to be done to avoid foreclosure on their property. Then the conversation started getting really dark. This person was crumbling under the stress of losing their home. They told me, a complete stranger, that two days ago they tried to commit suicide and were considering it again. I immediately had to call for intervention. This property will probably be another "deal" in the near future........

While driving around today I took this picture. Another deal.

Florida Foreclosure

I wonder what the story is. Do you?

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 02/12/2009 05:01 PM

Comments (43)

foreclosure, short sale

43 Comments on Every Picture Tells A Story Don't It? (Rod Stewart)

FEB

Reserved Parking For "The Lovely Wife"...TLW...ROAR!

Hun...

Do you think they'll be coming back for the T.V. ?? :)

Yes. I am a cold...cold...cold...Woman...Or do I just cover my heart with humor? Can't imagine where I picked that up :)

TLW...ROAR!

The first picture could be :natural landscaping" - maybe. The second photo.... a crappy yard sale! Unfortunately we know better.

If i spent an hour or so in my yard I could get it that clean, but what is the point, my kids are hellions.

Hi BB - These are sad times, and like the old TV show used to say: there are a million stories in the naked city. Some people think we are enjoying this crarzy market because we get commissions off these sales. They don't realize that we are people too and our hearts ache for some of these folks. Besides, the work is harder and the commissions are lower in this market.

BB, no question but that a "flourishing" business today has a definite down side.

It's amazing what you find in trash out's...the TV looks pretty good but who can lift 400Lb's? That's probably why its still there...Its' certainly sad all the homes going to Foreclosure!

Regards

Rick Goates

Bryant- There are divorce judges who are not allowing couples to get divorced because they can not afford to. We have couples who are divorced still living together! The judges say that they have never seen so many couples actually trying now to work things out instead of getting divorced. Sometimes, blessings come from trials:)

Hi Bryant - That is a terrible story - very, very sad. We don't have huge numbers of short sales and foreclosures in Cambridge but there are more in some of the nearby towns. Many buyers that I bring through them decide that it's just too sad and they don't want to look at anymore - and it doesn't help of course that the insides match in condition the exteriors in your photos.

Liz

Evening Bryant, I've said many times that for every short or distressed sale there is a sad story behind it. If we could only see.

This is the sad side of the mortgage mess. Helping new buyers buy homes is fine. But, what about the ones who are lost in the mess that they did not create.

I saw that picture across the street from me last year.

BB - The shear number of these properties, and actually seeing them with buyers, is incredibly sad. You have to wonder what happened, in addition to the mortgage mess, to get them in their situation? And I always wonder where will they go next? What will their lives be like? And how many more will there be?!

Jeff

Lots of sad stories that's for sure. On #3, so you left the big screen television just sitting there in the driveway?

It's the same sad story in many places nowadays. And that's the saddest part - that it's happening all over. If it was confnied to one specific area, then it would be easier to find a fix.

BB - I am seeing this too. There are many hardships and marriages are really being put to the test these days. I am not surprised at all to hear of people contemplating suicide. This economy and housing market is eating away at everybody. I am glad you called for suicide intervention. People need to realize it's much easier to lose everything and have to start all over than to leave their loved ones grief stricken forever.

BB - It's sad to see this happening all around the country. I just seen on fox news a man barricaded himself in his home. He wrote on the roof that he just wants someone to listen to him.

Bryant, if I may ask - I can understand the values plummeting, but is unemployment way up in your area too?

This is so sad. Every time I do a Drive By BPO, I'm so saddened thinking that these people may be on the verge of losing their home. As I take out my camera to snap the photo, watching the steam roll out of the dryer vent, looking over the the toys in the back yard, I feel like I'm selling a bit of my soul. But, someone has to do it, right? If it's not me, it's someone else.

Bryant something has to be done to package these stories together and share them with Congress so that some REAL help can be given to these families. I'm so frustrated by the lack of understanding in DC I can't even tell you!

Good grief, Broker B! It sounds like your real estate practice is not passing the fun test these days!

Bryant, well I am in tears just about everyday. I don't work with buyers either, but am considering starting. I need to find my joy in RE again and when you are upset about having to tell sellers the truth 3 or 4 times a week, it just gets ya after a while.

When I am in homes that I see with many buyers I frequently think (not out loud)

"wow, this was someones home" or
"it looks like they left in a hurry" or
"what the H#*L happened here??"

Some places you can tell were so 'cared for' at one time, had families in them, family gatherings during the holidays... Sadly, they have been left to rod.

FEB

I am amazed that people leave a home in this condition - I have seen it time and again but am always amazed!

It is heartbreaking to realize all the sad stories behind all these foreclosures. How devastating!

Wow. Heartbreak stories abound. Keep you head up, Broker Bryant.

If anyone is suicidal and they really need a push over the edge I am going to send them over here for a quick glance...that should put them out of their misery:)

In all seriousness it is really too bad what is going on all across america everyday.

BB - I think Colleen's comment above is a great idea. Unfortunately, these politicians are sitting very pretty in D.C. I bet they don't see this on their streets. They need to see this stuff - this is horrible.

Well howdy everyone. I have one of my investors coming in early next week who owns a house right down the street from the house in the bottom pic. I sent him this picture and he hired a crew to go by and clean it up. I'm not sure why the other neighbors hadn't already done that. I heard it had looked like that for more than 2 weeks!!!!

Jeff most of the folks in my area work in the service indusrty so they are certainly hurting with the economic downturn.

The REO in the bottom picture is in a community that was built as vacation homes. This one is a 5/3 with right under 1900 sq ft and a pool. They sold for about $350,000 new in 2006. Now you can buy one as a REO for $120s!!!

Hey BB and TLW....glad to see someone talking about the human tragedy behind all the financial problems. It is heart wrenching for so many people to suffer I especially feel sorry for the older couples that have lost everything. And, TLW I know you are very far from being a cold woman ad I do the same thing tryin to make jokes to cover the pain, ya gotta lugh to keep from cryin....Blessings...Kelly

PS. Call me tomorrow if you get a chance about Mariners....KW

FEB

Damn,

i had heard how much worse it was in FLA but seeing this kinda makes me happy to be freezin my butt off in the Midwest. Hey BB do you know anything about All realty Services down there in Kissimee? we're thinking about listin our Timeshares with them for about 2 grand Thanks, Bill

How depressing.

A little early for Spring cleaning, I think... of course, someone could just be having a bad day...

Seriously, it is sad what we see these days, and we are all becoming somewhat of psychologists these days...

But then, at least business is good, eh?

I kept looking at that first house and thinking....gee ...I bet it's nice inside :)

Dang. Looks tough. I don't understand why folks leave a home in such disaray. It escapes me why.

As for me, I'll stay where I am for the duration. Life gets better...hmmmm....but I can see where screaming and stress can take its toll. Sometimes life seems bleak, read a little Dickens, I say. We have been so comfortable for so long. I see this all the time doing cash for keys. People hate leaving their homes, can't blame them. Suzi Sunshine!!!!

FEB

Maybe its time for me to sell in Hilton Head and look for a second home down your way? Need any help with those buyer clients?

This is when you have to reach to faith and say a long prayer for these people, and pray that they get things worked out so you don't have to list the property and if you do end up listing it, work hard for them. I have not had to deal with someone wanting to commit suicide, etc . with short sales, and I am honestly surprised that I haven't. I am glad I read this post, so I can prepare for that.

All of this is very humbling as we attend deed in lieu's, Sheriff's Evictions, etc.

Wow, 350 to 120! I keep telling my husband we need to take a look and buy our retirement home now! As for the last picture...I just figured she caught him cheating!

I have seen many pictures that are mostly in my head. I always wish the walls could talk :-/

FEB

BB, it breaks my heart to look at these photos and think about the impact on the families involved.

FEB

The saddest things are the crutch and the bicycle.

The oddest thing to see is the big screen TV. Looks like a it's worth a few mortgage payments or part of a home equity line?