Think About the Little Guy!

Are you about to go into foreclosure? Losing a home isn't easy. As a homeowner you're probably mad as heck at the bank for foreclosing on a home you have put your heart, money, soul, and time into making it into what it is today. It is not just a house to you it is a home.

I feel your pain. I feel your aggression. As a real estate agent the pass few years definitely have not been easy for me. But I'm glad I'm in the profession because I realize all acts of retaliation don't impact the big guys. It is the little guys who suffer before, during, and after the process. Yes the banks will take some losses and probably some heavy hits as well. Let's face it no one is really "winning" during the foreclosure process. It is one of those lose-lose situations. You're losing your home which you may only have one of and the bank is losing money which they have lots of.

Okay so you begin to think of ways to retaliate against the bank. Wouldn't it be awesome to rip out the carpets, pour concrete down the plumbing, make the HVAC system inoperable, bust a couple of windows, punch holes all over the walls, light a fire in a gas fireplace, pull the cabinets off the walls, paint the walls a dark hideous color, dig up the garden, write scriptures all over the walls, pour tar on the floors, downgrade your upgrades, take out all the appliances, take down the light fixtures, spread dead bugs all around, leave the place trashed, leave food in the refrigerator to spoil and smell gross, leave trash throughout the house, puncture the exterior siding, take down the porch railings, rip off some fascia, rip a blade off all the ceiling fans, leave a pet behind to suffer, or whatever else deplorable comes to mind? It's all about venting your frustration in a physical way right? Wrong! All wrong!

STOP!!!

Were you ever a first time home buyer? Did you hope for an affordable home which was clean, ready to move right into?

My plea is for the little guy. You're not hurting the bank they have money. The ones who truly feel hurt are the first time home buyers who are trying to get the banks money for a distressed property sale which is within their budget. Optimistically hoping one of the distressed property sales will be their first dream home. They are excited about going out to take a look and when they get there the property is in poor condition or vandalized. They can't believe someone lived in those horrible house conditions you left behind.

If the repairs are too extensive they have to seek alternate financing which will allow for repairs and to finance the home and the repairs normally takes them over their budget. Their dream home has been deemed unfit for habitation in some cases.

Here comes Mr. Investor because he is the only one who can afford to pay cash or maybe meet the requirements for a loan it would take to acquire the property. Thus, you're not hurting the bank in the long run you are hurting the consumer who now cannot afford to buy the home. Mr. Homeowner did your dreams turn to tunnel vision during the foreclosure process? It's hard but don't let it. As I encourage my buyers to do stay optimistic. If it is meant to be it will be.

I know it is hard and it is depressing to lose what was once probably your dream home. If you leave the property in good shape the next buyer will probably appreciate the same features about the home which motivated you to buy it. But please make a little effort to leave the home in the condition where a first time home buyer can move right in. You were a first time home buyer once so you can probably relate to my plea.

The bank you're mad at is probably not going to ever physically come on the property after your hardship. They will be send contractors, vendors, real estate agents to handle their non-performing assets. If things are too wacky they may be even sending the cops to look at possible vandalism charges against you.

Give the little guy a break! Show them the pride in home ownership.