Foreclosed But Not Forlorn

This week our friends were very excited to finally close on their new home. This young couple has been looking for a larger home for their growing family for at least 3 years. They've had many ups and downs along the way and have given up many times, wondering if they'd ever get a new home.

But, they closed on their 4 bedroom, 2 bath home on 5 acres this past week. It will be an awesome home to raise their three little boys. The boys are already zooming up and down the stairs and dreaming of what it will be like to finally move in.

The problem with this home is that the previous owner left the house in terrible shape. I'd like to say that the previous owner had just a terrible sense of hygiene but I think it goes deeper than that.

The home our friends bought was facing foreclosure. The house was on the real estate market, hoping to sell it before the foreclosure auction took place, which would be the best outcome for all parties. But, the home owner did so little to make her house attractive. Well, honestly, I don't think she did anything. I can't believe she would sabotage her own home sale, but maybe subconsciously, that's exactly what she was trying to do.

She was never around for our friends to speak with. They weren't able to ask her basic questions about the home or neighborhood. She even went to far as to chastise the neighbors for speaking to this young couple when they wandered over the fence row to get an idea of the history of the home. The home owner never even attended the same closing as our friends and signed her papers the next day.

I know you're probably thinking that the entire foreclosure nightmare has probably made her a bit reclusive and embarrassed if not clinically depressed. But, it was in her best interest to make her house attractive and to offer any help she could to a potential buyer. Her interest in her home would have greatly influenced the perceived value of the home and facilitated a quicker sale.

I'll throw in my final remarks on the house to show you the condition of the home owner. Please note that she just moved out last week. This house was not abandoned as many foreclosure victims will do.

The house was filthy. Filthy for you might mean dusty and dirty. For me it means dusty, dirty, grimy and greasy. It was all of the above. But, it was nasty. Nasty to me means dead mice under the kitchen sink and dog poop in the garage.

So, if you gave up your house to settle your foreclosure issues, how would you treat the prospective owners? Would you be so angry or revengeful or depressed that you'd dump your house on their laps in the most wretched condition you can manage?? Would you take our your humiliation on them? Would you punish them for your financial situation?

Our friends are busy right now scrubbing that house from top to bottom. They have a lot of work ahead of them and they'll do an excellent job. I'm thrilled they finally have their new home. But, I wonder what the previous owner is doing.

I hope that no matter what you decide in your foreclosure situation that you do it will pride and grace. If you choose to sell your home or should the local agencies give you an eviction notice, I hope you leave your home in style and not in chaos.

Finances are always an issue. If you had money to remodel your home and make it stunning, chances are you wouldn't be in foreclosure. But cleanliness is affordable. As long as you have running water you have an opportunity to clean your home.

Pass your home to the next owner with your head held high.

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