Avoid Foreclosure and Take Back Your Life!

Last October I sat down it the dining room of a client to conduct a listing presentation.  Sitting across the table was a woman who looked defeated--like she was going to break down into tears.  My client, I will call her Judy, said, “I can’t believe this is happening to me.  Do you really think I can sell my house?”  I had an idea that this listing may be a short sale before I walked in but after seeing Judy and talking to her about her circumstances, I knew her only option was to sell short.

After a discussion on how a short sale works and the need to get the home listed as soon as possible to avoid foreclosure, Judy agreed that a short sale was the best way to go.  Her husband was in the military and if they foreclosed he would lose his position due to a security clearance.  That was the last thing they needed as his was their only income.  Foreclosing meant losing a house and their only source of income.  It would have been devastating.

We did all the right things, listed the home, made regular price reductions and four weeks after listing we received an offer.  Judy was elated.  The weeks after closing were long and often trying.  Many, many pieces of paper changed hands, many calls were made and several hundred maybe even thousands of emails were sent.  A foreclosure auction was even stopped along the way too.  But eventually Judy and her husband made it to the closing table.  Yes, a tear or two was shed; but in the end, Judy knew that selling short was her only option.

I cannot tell you how gratifying it is for both the person facing foreclose and for me to finally get to the closing table.  To know that we pushed through it all to get to the other side and now my client is in a better space.  Judy said to me, “Sue, I couldn’t have done this without you.  I was ready to just let my house go to foreclosure.  As I look back, you helped me take control of my situation and we saved my husband's job.  Plus, I sold my home; it wasn’t taken from me.  I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I cannot thank you enough.”

The short sale process is a long one but in the end, I helped someone.  It was truly my pleasure to help Judy and her husband.  Thru the process I not only helped them, but I also made a very good friend. .I know one day, in the not so distant future, I will get a call from Judy that says, “Sue, lets go buy that house I always wanted.”  I can’t wait!!!