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MUSTY URINE...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Coldwell Banker Lifestyle Properties 01368823

Good title hu? ;-)

Well, yesterday it was.

I received an e-mail yesterday from a company requesting the listing and sale of an REO property. So, the process begun and I was on my way. I pulled up to what I thought looked to be an abandoned home. It was around 6 p.m. and the sun was overhead in a way to somewhat blind and hide what was about to be a shock of fresh air. I hopped out of my vehicle, grabbed a few select items and unlatched the gate. The click of the gate scared off about 6 cats that were hiding under a spider web infested Jeep Cherokee. It was apparent the vehicle had been sitting for months. Weather it be from high gas prices or the simple fact that it had been abandoned was unsure. I figured the house had been sitting for months. Although I thought the home was abandoned and this would be a trash out, things changed real quick. I made my way up the path alongside what I thought was a homeless contraption of a window cover made by a squatter. Immediately I felt the cool breath of musty cat urine bail out the window and into my lungs as the engine of the swamp cooler made it apparent that I wasn't alone. I tapped on the door a few times and was greeted behind it with an old crackly voice demanding to know who it was. I stated, "I am here on behalf of the Bank". The voice responded with "Uh..., Yeah..., Um..., Hold on a minute".

Here is where I need your advice...

 The lady answered the door. After pulling property records I knew she had lived there for about 20+/- years. So I knew if I confronted anyone here, it wasn't going to be easy. The lady asked what I wanted. Now... I was slightly distracted with a sore that ran across her nose area that looked like she had been picking at it in hopes that what was once small would eventually go away. Pulling myself together I told her why I was there. I asked her what her plans were and if she knew that she had been delinquent for some time now. She slammed the door in my face with a quickness. I thought maybe she was terrified that the cats as well as herself were coming to reality on the situation. Either that, or she could sense my eyes wondering at the bleeding scab/blister and out of offense decided she would end the conversation by slamming an already dilapidated door. I told myself "O.k., I will go around and just try and get started by taking street photos, side yard, front, etc." Noticing that the home was an old shipyard home from Mare Island that was pulled in by trailer in the 70's I heard her crackling voice and the sore sight of her gleaming through the window. She asked me to come over to her so she could ask me a question. So, I made my way over to her along the path I had originally walked upon to tap on her door. I was surprised as she pulled out a long double barrel shot gun...

(O.k. the shot gun thing was slightly exaggerated) She pulled out this big form, something that you could tell was clearly secured to her door by a solicitor.  She told me she was doing a reverse mortgage. According to her I didn't need to be there. She went off with this spiel on how she had 30 days (Which was true) after the foreclosure process to redeem herself. I asked her if I could get the contact info of the person she was working with to confirm the authenticity of her statement. She read off the number as I wrote it down. Then I asked if there was an e-mail address so I could contact the loan broker, she looked it over for a good minute. You could tell she was thinking in her head by the look in her eye. I was getting a little ency because now I was sitting smack center in front of the window with this ridiculous urine smell bailing out at me. I wanted to wrap this up, so I softly asked if I could glance at the form, as she stated there was no e-mail address. Come on woman I thought to myself, every loan officer I know has an e-mail address and if they don't, sounds like a bad source to bank your most valuable asset on. She was reluctant. So, here I am, unsure what to say at this point. Knowing I couldn't offer cash for keys if I wanted to being as she had a mind set on this big flier that was going to save her life.

What would you suggest I do at this point (Today is day 2)?

Comments (1)

Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

What a riviting title, you got my attention!  I will check back and see what pearls of wisdom come in.  Nothing surprises me anymore, but I must say that I'm glad I've never been where you are!

Sep 06, 2008 05:42 AM