When I decided to add additional services (like Process Serving) to my bag of tricks back in 2006/2007, I never imagined I'd end up here [in 2010] spending all day Sunday sitting on a "stake-out". It seems the lender has taken the home in foreclosure and the recipient of an unlawful detainer lawsuit believes he can hibernate and all of his problems will simply go away much like the ostrich with his head in the sand. While his door has been answered by a minor child on multiple occassions, the parent seems content to hide until the sheriff and the locksmith come to put them all out. Ironically, this particular lender offers every solution possible before ever filing such a suit. They are one of the only lenders I know who has paid folks (generously enough to afford a move) to move and for transitioning possession of such properties smoothly.
The collapse of the mortgage bubble hit many businesses hard and mine is certainly no exception. In '05-'06 Loan Signing alone was enough to keep not only myself busy but also my wife. There were often days in which we visited all six counties we serve in a single day, signing as many as thirteen sets of loan documents in that one day. We earned a great living doing what we loved. By the first qtr of 2007, business had fallen to the point where I was lucky to get thirteen signings in a month. So, I quickly decided to expand from loan signing to taking on more messenger work, I became a Registered/Bonded California Process Server and soon was doing foreclosure/occupancy photo/inspection services also. My wife, while holding onto her Notary Commission, landed one job and ultimately another part-time one. We adjusted our own lifestyle as well. Much like the rest of Americans, our spending stopped and we began to manage things with much less.
While lawmakers wrangle in Washington D.C., everyone in the "real world" continues to tighten their belts and do the best they can. Our ability to remain positive in the face of adversity has been good but is threatened with the passage of more time as there seems to be no relief in sight. I once believed whole-heartedly that a recovery was imminent and that some form of relief would induce lenders to begin lending again...today I'm still hopeful but much less certain of when/how that recovery will occur. I also believe that with the right creative collaboration, lenders could do much to both ease tension of so many Americans by simply offering modifications, new loan programs and by being satisfied with half a loaf when a whole one is not forthcoming.
Until that day, I remain content to make due with less and sit on stake-outs instead of at signing tables. Our savings are non-existent as we need every penny to live with. I continue to look for more of those pennies. My prayer is that I'll find a few...face up....and ready to be tossed into a wishing well.
Best wishes and keep your chins up!
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