It seems not all that long ago that many of us were stressing about the increase in Foreclosures and Short Sales. The accepted strategy at the time....avoid them!
Fast forward a year and Foreclosures and Short Sales have become the norm. Transactions sit in limbo and negotiated rather than dictated terms...are a pleasant diversion.
There are days I worry that I may become hardened to the reality of life and accept business as we now know it. But then as I walk through a house strewn with clothes and toys and children's homework....I recognize how important it is for me, for all of us, to keep foremost in our minds the stories behind the foreclosures. We should grasp tightly to the human side of what we do so that we can help our clients through it with not just knowledge but with compassion!
Not too long ago my friend and fellow AR Blogger William Johnson wrote a thoughtful post about the stories behind the Foreclosures. I thought his idea of putting together a resource list for people in our local area was a wonderful one and have put together one for mine.
Pay It Forward!!
Helpful Sources
* Shelters (by State)
* Foreclosure Information
* Job Search
* Government Jobs
Local Sources in New Hampshire
* Community Resources
* NH Food Banks
* NH Jobs
* NH Shelters
Concord NH Realtor
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Joan Mirantz - Joni is a Realtor® with Keeler Family Realtors, a locally owned, Customer Service oriented Firm.
Joan Publishes a monthly Newsletter "Food For Thought" under the pen name Realtor Sherpa.
(Joan also answers to Miz Maven and Miss Joni.)
Joan works in Buyer and Seller Representation with concentrations in the Merrimack Valley Area and towns surrounding Concord NH - the Capital City.
"I love what I do, and it shows in how I do it"
Hi Joan, How wonderful and thank you for this. You set the example that will provide others with the needed resources and information to make that difference. You are an awesome lady and I can see one that takes a challenge and sees it as an opportunity, once again to help others. You are am amazing and wonderful person that has always shown how much you care. Your contribution with this post hopefully will inspire others to get the word out and make a difference as well.
Joan this is awesome. I know a lot of people are suffering at this time. I know these resources will be a source of hope and strength. I must admit, that the "investors" who seek to pick up properties for a song, often have little compassion for those who have lost their homes. It is difficult to deal with. Thanks for all that you do to make the lives of those who are suffering a little bit easier.
Joni, What a help...It was a wonderful idea and I'm glad you picked up on it and hope others do as well. Such a sad situation, I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime.
Joan: Finding places for displaced people up North just has to be really tough. I remember how cold it was in Cleveland growing up, and I am sure it is worse in New Hampshire. You are such a dear to give your efforts. Thanks for sharing... take care...
Hello William...you started the ball rolling...Ijust hope others will pick it up and do their own areas. I can only imagine how frustrating it would be to be in that situation and be trying to "look up" resources. Thank you for the kind words.
Joan...it does amaze me how many people look at a situation from only their personal perspective. Whatever happened to "there but for the grace of God"....
Hi Carole...and to think...most of us are but an illness or a paycheck away from being in their shoes!
Karen Anne...it is finally getting warmer :0) It was very hard for all of the shelters this year.They were so overcrowded!
Joni
The reality is hard to take and see how many people are suffering. I do hope it changes for the better soon
Tom
I think we see it on a real level more than most Tom...just because of what we do.
Joan, you are such a beautiful person. Please do not let the situation for your market change your approach and compassion! If only all people dealt in business like you, getting through the tough times would be that much less stressful.
Rochelle....thank you so much for your kind words. There are a lot of hurting people out there!
Pets seem to be an underreported side effect of the foreclosures. Many landlords won't accept pets, and of course most foreclosed families don't have any choice but to rent.
I have seen unfortunate pets abandoned or left behind during tenant evictions for years. Now with the addition of foreclosures, it 's become more widespread.
Hi Brian... That's so true and agood idea for a Post. Mind if I run with it??
Joni, be my guest. Humane issues have been one of my concerns for years.
Joan, Thanks for bringing out the human side of the challenges facing our markets. We get so caught up in our frustrations of dealing with the short sale or foreclosure as a transaction, that we forget the human (and pet) fallout that occurs with such a situation. These families don't just disappear, they're still out there, but with new needs. Your information will serve as a good resource, and hopefully provide a springboard for the rest of us to replicate the info for our respective markets.
Thanks for commenting Lynn...I hope this has made the system a little easier to navigate for those who need it!
Joan - What a wonderful post! And blessings to you for putting this list of resources together! I'm going to take a stab at doing the same in my market.....we're all in this together!
Thank you Coleen...I'm sure your followers will appreciate it. "This" is going to be with us a while I'm afraid!!