Admin

Don't Push the Envelope!

By
Real Estate Agent with Solid Source Realty GA GA #300188

Don't push the envelope!  Open It!

I went to a client home for to do a listing presentation for a possible short sale. After going through the presentation and looking at all of the paperwork that the client had. I noticed that there were several envelopes that the clients had that were from the mortgage company.  Many of these envelopes were not opened. I asked why they did not open the envelopes and they said because they knew that they did not have the money to pay the mortgage. We sat there an opened the envelopes.  The mortgage company was trying to get in contact with them to work out a solution instead of foreclosing on home.  The couple really wanted to keep their home but was afraid that they could not come up with the mortgage payments that they were in arrears.  They were not even aware that they could work out a repayment plan with the mortgage company.  With the repayment plan the past due amounts are divided and added onto the regular monthly payments.  This can be done for an extended amount of time, this allows you to bring the loan current.  Plans for repayment can be made for as short as 3 months, or as long as 24 months. This was just the option that they needed.  The husband was laid off and it took him 4 months before he could find a job.  The family was struggling to pay all of their bills with just one income.  Even though they were behind on their mortgage they were now able to make payment arrangement to keep their home. This was great because they were able to prevent foreclosure. Many mortgage companies will allow you to make repayment plans.

 So please don't push the envelope, open it!   

Comments(5)

Show All Comments Sort:
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Renee,

This is a very good post. Desperate people tend to try to avoid more frustration, and would not open an envelope, as they do not expect anything good for them. As in your example, they may be wrong. You did a great job, sorry you lost the Listing, but you should be proud of yourslef

Jul 22, 2008 05:06 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

This was a great solution for your client.  How lucky they were to have you to assist them.

Jul 22, 2008 05:08 PM
Bobby Stevens
Windermere Real Estate/Lane County - Eugene, OR
Realtor, Eugene, Oregon

Renee, I agree with Jon and Christine, your clients were fortunate in choosing you to consult with them. You have great ethics and are a true professional. And thanks so much for sharing this information - we all try and avoid pain in one way or another and this shows how important it is to face our fears and open the envelope!

Jul 22, 2008 05:19 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Excellent post Renee!  It is often difficult for those who have the wolf at the door to keep from becoming frozen or overwhelmed by their circumstances.  The absolute worse thing for them to do, is to leave the evelopes unopened, and not confront the situation actively.

I wish the media would focus on having troubled homeowners contact their mortgage lenders about solutions to their financial problems.  Many have found workable resolution and significant relief in the process.

 

 

Jul 22, 2008 05:28 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

Never give up is the moral of the story. So many people just bury there head in the sand and hope no tigers are watching.

Jul 22, 2008 11:26 PM