Facing Foreclosure

It's been 5 years this September that my home was foreclosed on. I used to not even be able to talk about it; I felt so ashamed. Now, knowing that it wasn't just me makes it a little easier and if you are reading this, chances are you are going through it. It's a devastating situation. I think I cried everyday for a month. I won't go into detail about how I found myself in this situation, but I will share some of the things that help me get through it.

1. Stay in contact with the Lender. Try to get an extension so that it's the same person every time. I kept in constant communication with the Lender, and I took notes. When I received the first notice of foreclosure from the Clerk of Court, I was able to delay the inevitable because I was still in communication with the Lender and a re-payment plan had been instated.

2. Keep documentation. I wrote letters to the Clerk of the Court, the Lawyer, and the Lender and sent via certified mail. Because I took notes and who I spoke with on what day they stalled the foreclosure proceedings and court date because the Lender and I were still in negotiations for a Loan Modification.

3. Research options. There are three options to avoid foreclosure on a credit report. Short Sale, Deed in Lieu of forclosure, Forbearance

There were some circumstances that happened in my life that made the last three options not possible for me. I lost my home, but I've survived. It's been five years and my credit it bouncing back. It's awful to go through, but in the end it's all just “things.” At the time it felt like there will never be a way out, but there is hope and it is possible to come out of it and be happy again.