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SAVE A LIFE AND YOU SAVE THE WORLD - DO OUR CLIENTS NEED US TO AVOID DISPARE?

By
Real Estate Attorney with THE ZARETSKY LAW GROUP - Board Certified Real Estate Atty and AUTOMATED LAND TITLE COMPANY

Save a life and you save the world - Do our clients need us to avoid despair?

Today in my local Florida newspaper, I read in horror that two deaths related to foreclosure occurred this week. One homeowner shot himself and the other apparently was asphyxiated by running his car in the garage.  In the latter case the former homeowner was found by the successful purchaser after the foreclosure sale.

Broker or lawyer, we see people that have nowhere to turn but to us for professional advice and perhaps some hope.  Many are literally out of money and wonder about their next meal.  Some cannot pay the electric bill.  They come in, they wonder what went wrong and why is this bad thing happening to them.  They cry.  I see it more and more as this economic recession drags on.

Each person's situation requires help.  Unfortunately, solutions sometimes seem non-existent. 

"Save a life and you save the world".  It is a statement that has deep meaning.  The future of one person can likely over time, change the life of millions.  Just think of the James Stewart movie, "It's a Wonderful Life". 

The news stories today made me remember that solutions are not always what we think they should be.  Sometimes, although there are no financial solutions, there may be human compassion and professional experience and training that can help direct the distressed person to realize that all is not lost.  There are resources from government and charities to help the totally desperate.  Sometimes some words of realistic advice can give some grounding and a new starting point so the person can move forward away from the distress of the present.

Life has its ups and downs and in these times it is not hard to be overwhelmed with distress. It is how we deal with them that makes the difference.   It is also how we help and direct others.  Finding realistic solutions or direction to those that are desperate should be part of our jobs, and unknown to us, with compassion and concern, we may save a life.

Copyright 2010 Richard P. Zaretsky, Esq.

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Be sure to contact your own attorney for your state laws, and always consult your own attorney on any legal decision you need to make.  This article is for information purposes and is not specific advice to any one reader.

Richard Zaretsky, Esq., RICHARD P. ZARETSKY P.A. ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 1655 PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD, SUITE 900, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401, PHONE 561 689 6660   email: RPZ99@Florida-Counsel.com - FLORIDA BAR BOARD CERTIFIED IN REAL ESTATE LAW - We assist Brokers and Sellers with Short Sales and Modifications and Consult with Brokers and Sellers Nationwide!  Shortsales@Florida-Counsel.com  New Website www.Florida-Counsel.com

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Comments (16)

Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Richard,

People want to know when we will "hit bottom."  Your excellent post brings home the point that most times "hitting the bottom" is a very individual, personal experience and situation.

Nov 20, 2010 01:23 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Very powerful story Richard. Yes I believe the humanity of the problem gets lost in the statistics.

Nov 20, 2010 01:36 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Richard. Folks facing financila hardship are stressed to the max. I had to call intervention on a potential seller last year. While I was talking with her on the phone she told me she was getting ready to kill herself!! I was able to convince her to sit tight and let me call my Pastor. I did and he went right over to see her and was able to get her to calm down.

These are very difficult times for many. We can help.

Nov 20, 2010 01:37 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Richard, your post speaks volumes. I wrote a post yesterday on a new company that sprang up locally that is waiting to get people when they are down. It makes me sick.

They are not statistics, they are people, me, you, our friends and neighbors, our brothers and sisters, the young, the old, children are involved.

Nov 20, 2010 01:43 AM
Judy Chapman
Referral Network of Illinois LLC - Chicago, IL

So sad. Others keep blaming the victim, and this must stop.

 

Nov 20, 2010 02:05 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Richard- regardless of all the numbers flying around, each case is an individual or a family and we have to view each one in that light. I admit, I have a hard time doing that sometimes.

Nov 20, 2010 02:50 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Rchard, those are horrible stories, and we should really think about them, and how our own actions can impact others. The next person who walks through our door might very well be distraught and in despair. While oftentimes we can't provide a solution, we can always provide a compassionate ear, and that just might be enough to give someone the strength they need.

Nov 20, 2010 08:32 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Congratulations this post is now featured in the Silent Majority Group of Active Rain.

Nov 20, 2010 08:42 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

There are consequences for our actions, elections and decisions - we the people bailed out the banks only to have them thumb their noses to the very people who need their help - the obvious stone walling during short sales makes things get very ugly for all parties involved - and banks should pay for the abuse they give to those who have their lives on hold - held hostage by the market conditions and a bank that knows what the right thing to do is - but refuse to do it

Nov 20, 2010 08:55 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Richard:  It is so easy for some sellers who are so emotionally invested in their homes to fall into despair.  And surely, in times like these, they need us even more.  This is also one of the many times that my degree in Psychology has served both myself and my buyers and sellers well.

Nov 20, 2010 09:35 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Richard,

This is so true. I know od several situations where suicide has been the only "out". Of course, that's not true, but in a major depression, the victims cannot ascertain the reasonable.

That's where a professional can help and provide the correct advice, support and assistance. Oftentimes, if the moment of crisis passes, the individual can avoid the brink of disaster, recover, and eventually lead a normal life.

Brian

 

Nov 20, 2010 09:36 AM
Richard Zaretsky
THE ZARETSKY LAW GROUP - Board Certified Real Estate Atty and AUTOMATED LAND TITLE COMPANY - West Palm Beach, FL
Florida Real Estate Attorney

Opps! Did I actually mistype (or was it mis-spell) DESPAIR?!!!!!!

(tee hee Karen....)

Nov 20, 2010 10:37 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Richard:  I saw your misspelling before, but didn't want to correct you, so I typed a comment, #10, and used the spelling dispair instead of dispare... hoping you would see it.

Actually... smarty-pants me... even spelling the word dispare... changed to dispair... gets it closer... but even I misspelled it.  The correct spelling is despair.  Silly me... and yes... you miss-typed it... .  LOL.

Nov 20, 2010 02:47 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Richard, very sad commentary on the current stateof some homeowners. For some there may be a way out of the situation, but nobody can help people that don't even look for assistance.

Nov 21, 2010 08:14 AM
Mary Jo Quay
H360homes.com - Minneapolis, MN
I Move You Home

The economic crisis has touched everyone, but hit some especially hard.  People who are totally distraught can't find a solution, and are either too humiliated or scared to talk to anyone. 70% of foreclosures happen without intervention.

We have the opportunity, and responsibility to rebuild the economy one household at a time. 

Nov 21, 2010 08:46 AM
Joetta Fort
The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO
Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Wow I haven't heard any local stories like that, but certainly have spent a lot of time on the phone, trying to help people understand they can move on with their life whether short sale or foreclosure.

Nov 21, 2010 06:25 PM