This has not been one of my better years. And I have a GREAT life!
I started dialysis last year (no worries, I'm doing fine). I perform peritoneal dialysis at my home. Very easy and convenient. But earlier this year, it was a bad time. I was sick for most of the first 6 months of 2007. And I don't mean feeling puny...I was SICK!
I couldn't eat, I kept fainting at my Open Houses, my homes weren't selling. My sellers seemed oblivious to the rapidly changing market, and of course believed that although every other home in town had lost value, theirs was so special that it had GAINED!
Well, I was able to compensate and preplan for many of the recurring disasters. My ever loving, over loaded hubby started attending the Open Houses with me, to catch me if I fell (so to speak).
I set up my home office, so I was close to both bathrooms, sinks, pales and a 911 pager. And I continued to work as much as I could. I continued to market my listings, used up my personal line of credit once I'd hemorrhaged through my business account, and continued to take listings and avoid buyers. Not that there's anything wrong with buyers, in fact I love them. But when you're sick ALL the time, it isn't fair to the trusted buyer client, who needs every bit of your energy, knowledge and skills in the search for the perfect home.
I was in no shape to drive anyone around, and I felt like maybe it wouldn't be such a great idea to ask them to drive "in case I felt faint or nauseous." I mean, I do consider my clients, friends, but that may be too "friendly" for some.
So I silently suffered, watching my funds dwindle away, and watching my CO-pay medical expenses grow. I did however lose almost 40 lbs, which was just slowing me down anyway!
Low and behold, I was offered a terrific opportunity to perform Field Inspections as a subcontractor for a company that contracts with lenders (for inspections). I have been performing BPO's for a couple years, and the money comes in handy, not enough for a pair of Ferragamos, but it pays for gas.
So, when this field Inspection gig came up in August, I thought why not. It promised to pay a lot better than what I'd made so far this year. And I started feeling better the last week of July. So I accepted the job.
Well, low and behold, Solano County has the dubious honor of being 7th in the nation for foreclosures! so guess what I've been spending every free minute doing the past month? You got it, Field Inspections of delinquents, BK's, pre-foreclosures and foreclosures. It is heart wrenching, and I am once again sick to my core when I come home at night.
Not sick like before. It's not my innards or failing organs, or toxic poisons backing up in me. This is a sickness, illness of the soul. I know these people. Some are school mates I haven't seen or thought about in 30 years. Others are former coworkers. Many are REALTOR's or local mortgage brokers. These are people like me.
Many of my friends are aghast that I have this part time job. They ask, "Why." All I can say is, I don't want to be the next one on the list! My husband has a good job, we have great insurance, but even that is not enough. I'm a REALTOR for goodness sake. I have no workers comp or state disability.
I know the statistics, the vast majority of folks in bankruptcy are there due to medical bills. Every day I say "There but for the grace of God go I" and I thank God for another day, and for the money we have to pay our bills.
Of course, when it rains it thunders and hails, too! My company merged two weeks ago with Century 21, and now we are huge! The largest Real Estate firm in Solano County. Yipppeeee! I'm so thrilled.
Not only does it provide many more tools and long ingrained name recognition locally; but one of the principles of the company we merged with is someone who I have been very fond of since we worked retail together over 25 years ago. It is like a dream come true, and the first 6 months of this year seem like a far away nightmare.
The quandry I have is thus; I was offered and accepted the position of Director of Recruiting. Yeah!!! But I'm torn between trying to keep up with the Field Inspections, which pay. And not being able to dedicate any time to the recruiting, which will eventually pay, since my remuneration is commission based.
While I perform the Field Inspections, I cannot do real estate, which is easy to compartmentalize. So, I do my real estate work during the day 2 1/2 days a week (more if needed), and work the inspections on the other days, and play catch up on the weekends. I also have to balance my schedule so I can perform the two dialysis transfers during the day (I have to do 4 a day, every day).
I have received referrals from the inspections, so it has paid off that way. Of course, some days I'm so tired I don't want to get out of bed, and so weak that just taking a shower and getting dressed taxes me. But then I think of those poor families facing one of the most heart wrenching predicaments that anyone can face, losing their home, probably their biggest investment, and the largest part of their families wealth. My problems seem insignificant in comparison, and it's easy to get my arse in gear.
I feel so guilty that I'm making money off the unfortunate circumstances of those in my community who are suffering. It has gotten to be so much work, that I've had to split my territory and hire two more inspectors.
The amount of people losing their homes, the numerous abandoned homes, is heartbreaking. I can't help but think all this could have been avoided. But to hear what I really think about that, go to my political blog. I will say it seems awfully convenient that we experienced 17 rate cuts in a row leading up to the elections of 2004. True, it could be claimed that home ownership was the highest in the nations history. But at what cost?
So many people were approved for loans that never should have been. Then about 20 mths ago, the BK laws were changed to become very restrictive and difficult to claim. Hmmpf....did THEY know what might occur?? OK...maybe I should join a conspiracy theory blog!
Back to my guilt. The one good thing about performing these inspections, is that I've done much more research on how and what consumers can do to mitigate foreclosure. There are many options, see my "Facing Foreclosure" blog for tips.
So I ask you my fellow professionals. How do you balance a part time gig that pays based on losses experienced by people who in any other market, I'd be happy to have as clients? If I were a millionaire, or billionaire, I'd pay off every loan and keep these families in their homes. But I'm just trying to stay ahead and not lose my home.
What would you do? How does one overcome guilt that seems so ineffectual? I know the emotion I'm expending through feelings of guilt is not good for my overall health, and I need to be careful with overdoing it. I just wish we could help more people. Many made terribly selfish decisions, and put their families at risk. But others just wanted to attain the American dream, and now they've woken to a nightmare of epic proportions.
Jackie Crockett
REALTOR®/CONSULTANT
DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING
CENTURY 21 DISTINCTIVE
Cell: 707-372-9168
Fax: 707-447-6101
Toll free: 800-718-7950
Making all your real estate dreams come true!
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