Most of us grew up thinking that if we planned well and played by the rules, we’d never have to stand by as our financial lives unraveled.

Then it happened…

The upheaval on Wall Street, high rates of unemployment, and plummeting real estate values have taken their toll.

7.9 million homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure since 2007. Current estimates are that one in four homeowners are underwater and owe more on their mortgages than they could get from the sale of their home.  We can debate about what caused this, but the simply fact is that declining home prices has had an impact on EVERY homeowner.  And the sad fact is millions more homes will be lost to foreclosure before this real estate crisis runs its course.  Even with the headlines this week about the foreclosure starts dropping to the lowest rate since 2008, hidden in the  same report is the fact that the 90 day+ delinquency rate increased, the largest increase in this rate in three years.  38 states had increases in the percentage of loans three payments or more past due.

Foreclosure is not an isolated event; it is more like a domino effect. For months leading up to the loss of a home, financially strapped homeowners live under a cloud of uncertainty, sometimes instigated by an even as small as a trip to the hospital and a couple of weeks of missed work. It snowballs and the homeowner just can’t seem to catch up.  It ends with the loss of their home.  Then for many years afterwards, the blow to credit gets in the way of buying another home or buying anything on credit. Foreclosure even complicates employment prospects. The impact of foreclosure is huge and the sad fact is that it’s often avoidable.

Among the most important facts to keep in mind: the sooner help is sought, the better the options. These are tough times, but more help is available than ever before.  I have been in homes that the banks have foreclosed on and have seen pieces of  happy lives that the devastated homeowners once had there…photos that couldn’t be taken, stuffed toys that had to be left behind, furniture that had to be abandoned.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to provide financially strapped homeowners with alternatives to foreclosure, help them recognize scams, and help navigate them through and find the solution that best meets their needs.

If you or someone you care about in Frederick County or Washington County Maryland is ready to navigate away from the dark cloud of a looming foreclosure, contact me today at 240.233.8818 or fill out the form found here.   Let’s get started.

Required legal disclosure:
Shauna Sefsic and Keller Williams assumes no responsibility nor guarantees the accuracy of this information and is not engaged in the practice of law nor gives legal advice. It is strongly recommended that you seek appropriate professional counsel regarding your rights as a homeowner. Shauna Sefsic and Keller Williams is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.