The Destin Florida couple called me after they had run out of options. The wife’s income had been cut in half, and the husband had been laid off from two different jobs in the past year. They had three children-- and their dream home. The house was custom built, and they had put a lot of thought into the details. The husband showed off his hand-hewn railings, the Palladian windows, the unique floorplan. The wife was proud of how spotless it was, despite the three teenagers and dog. It was breaking their hearts to come to this.
They were three months behind on their mortgage. No job in site. They had spotless credit. This was the point of giving in. Their bank would make no arrangements to help them out. They had no choice. The only option they found was to do a short sale. The couple could no longer stay in their beautiful home, and were going to move out of state to seek work. Florida has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, at almost 11%.
I listed their Destin home as a short sale. Immediately the calls came from agents with buyers eager to see this stunning property. For two months, we marketed it and entertained showings. Each time the couple was eager for feedback. “How can we make it nicer?” they always asked.
Finally, the news came. I had to take the home off the market. Forget about the short sale! The husband got a job! It paid more than his previous job! They would be able to catch up on their payments and keep their house. I was excited for them and happily withdrew the home for sale.
Sadly, this is the first such story I have had since the Destin short sale market began. Most of my sellers have had to move out of state looking for work. Perhaps, though, this is the start of a new trend, and more homeowners will be able to find jobs and keep their property. I will be at their service either way.
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Destin Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.
Read Wendy's Destin Real Estate Blog
Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com
Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County- Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.
A lovely end to your story!
Judy - I was/am SO HAPPY FOR THEM!
Awesome Wendy! I wish more folks could pull out of their hardship and make things work. Good for them!!
That's good news! Congrats. I tell my clients in this situation to get a forbearance agreement until they can find a new job. If that fails, then we go down the short sale path.
Wendy, I proud to say I know you...this is the kind of story a true real estate professional is happy to share and the positive outcome for a nice family should always outweigh any income that you may have eventually derived from a forced sale. Good for your new friends and good for you for being fine with the outcome.
Hi Wendy... I had a very similar situation with a listing earlier this year. The seller actually offered to pay me for the time I had spent marketing his property while I had it listed. I told him to put the money toward making up his back payments. It made my whole day to see someone genuinely come out ahead with their life intact like that!
It is heart warming to hear of something good for what you have described as awesome folks.
Hi Wendy! GREAT story--sad that it's your first but, hopefully this is a sign and it won't be your last! Love the post and your graphic too!
Have a wonderful Wednesday...
Truly a heartwarming story. Of all the commisions I have lost over my 17 years, this is the type that I would be proud to lose. Let's hope that we are truly seeing a turn around in our markets.
We have had this happen once as well....they are a part of our sphere and our biggest cheerleaders with the biggest grins...and that is bigger than any commission check.
It is nice to read a short sale story where things worked out for the sellers.
Wendy,
I love a happy ending :)
Thank you for posting some great news regarding a short sale!
Best wishes
Sharon
Thanks, Bryant!
Satir- That is a good idea, too.
Steve Loynd- Thank you, double happiness is knowing they got the job, PLUS there may be some jobs out there!
Steve Shatsky - That is heartwarming.
Jimmy - Indeed.
Debe - As a matter of fact, yesterday another one of my sellers got a good job! Too late to save his investment property, and he'll have an hour drive to work, but he got a job!
Sally & David - Absolutely.
Laurie - Would like more of them.
Sharon - Thank you!
Wendy,
God blessed the home owners!
This was the situation that short sales are best able to help.
But, Wendy! "They were three months behind on their mortgage. No job in site. They had spotless credit" This is fallacy, an urban myth! Even when it's not their fault, even with a great excuse, you can not be three months behind and have spotless credit!
Regardless, this is a great story to start the day with.
Bill
Well, that is great for the homewoners. You do not hear too many stories like this one! Looks like you have some other fabulous listings!
Wendy, I'd love to read more happy stories like this! Thanks for helping me start my week with an optimistic attitude!
Bill - OK I should have said "they had had spotless credit"!!
Meilssa- Happiness is....
Laura - I like it, too, I wish there were more of them to tell.
It's nice to know that miracles are happening out there. I know of a few people that need such luck.