Re: 1st Pre-Foreclosure Visit - Posted by JPiper
Posted by JPiper on December 05, 1998 at 13:41:54:
Walt:
I think you have correctly identified the fact that there is not much a deal here for you. You might be able to get the IRS lien released (maybe), but even if you did, there still isn?t much of a deal here. Any deal right now would require approval of the bankruptcy court, but even this may not be much of an issue. And you?re right, once the property is discharged from bankruptcy, the lender will complete their foreclosure and ultimately evict them if need be. Chances are that the best advice is just what you suggested, save their money, look for a cheaper place, get ready to move.
I thought I would comment regarding your feelings about encountering ?a situation that wrenches your Heart or Gut, or Both. This wasn?t too bad but they were good people and the Pets got to me a little bit.?
Sometimes people forget that the term ?motivated seller? means that in all likelihood the seller is experiencing something that most of us would regard as heartwrenching. These are real people with real problems. You are to be commended in my opinion for being sensitive to this, and for having observed your feelings.
In the future you will undoubtedly encounter some hostility and/or anger as well. Understand that these are all valid feelings for the owner. The important thing in my opinion for you to realize is that while you can and should be sympathetic to all these types of feelings, that you don?t have to ?own? the feelings. To me the proper stance is one of observation. Observe the feelings of the owner, and your own feelings as well, but don?t become attached to them. They?re just feelings, and they will come and go.
There are no accidents. The fact that you showed up at the seller?s home is not an accident either. You?re there to learn the lessons presented by the encounter, and if you can acquire a property on terms that make sense to BOTH you and the owner, then that?s fine. If not, there are many other ways that the encounter could possibly benefit both you and the owner. Just showing up is a victory for you. Listening to the situation is a victory. Listening to your own feeling is a victory. Not being attached to the outcome is a victory too. Learning and growing is always a victory.
JPiper