Homeowner’s HOPE

My job makes me quite unpopular. It’s one of those jobs no one likes to do, but is done out of necessity. After all, I have to earn a living somehow.

I refer to myself as a “real estate photographer” or “property inspector”. Although much of my job involves photography, it’s more than that. I’m required to leave a card at many homes instructing homeowners to call their mortgage company or collection department.

Image by respres via Flickr

Typically, I do not experience a lot of human interaction, but I have had several encounters with homeowners. When they see me taking pictures of their home, they typically respond with anger or bewilderment .

I once had to walk up and hand a card to a retired man who was out doing yard work. His home was well maintained and manicured – a lovely little red brick ranch. It broke my heart to think this decent man worked so many years and now faces the possibility of retirement in foreclosure.

Recently, as I started photographing a small home in Warren, a couple came out to see what I was doing. They looked angry at first. They thought I was there regarding a leased vehicle. I handed them the card. When they looked at it, they were confused and explained that they had already contacted the mortgage company. They said they were working on an agreement to pay $200 a month for six months, allowing them time recover financially.

The wife had an interview within a few days that would hopefully lead to a decent-paying job. Three little girls appeared in the doorway as we talked. A huge lump formed in my throat as I tried to maintain a professional demeanor. This young, hard-working couple is doing all they can to do right by their little ones, and it really hurts to bring such bad news to such beautiful people. I encouraged her to keep communicating with her mortgage company and wished her success with her interview.

I feel such compassion for those who face foreclosure I have to remind myself it’s just a job, and it isn’t my fault. I drove a little down the street and pulled over to map out my next destination. Thinking about the encounter with the adorable family, tears momentarily filled my eyes. I prayed for them briefly, regained my composure, and continued on my way.

My job is not a pleasant one and I’m sure  it’s not such an enjoyable experience for a homeowner to see some strange person taking photos of their home.  Who knows how long it will be until permanent relief arrives.  Layoffs, unemployment, and market downturns have no expiration date stamped on them telling us when to stop worrying.  The best thing to do is to maintain incessant contact with your mortgage company. These days, they are much less unwilling than usual to work with struggling families. As long as they are willing to continue the discussion, that’s a good sign.

In the meantime, don’t give up. Keep working toward a solution. Find extra work delivering pizza, newspapers or floral arrangements, washing dishes, mowing lawns, doing whatever you can to make it through these difficult times.

Our economy is starting to show some signs of recovery. It may be a slow, painful revival, but it will come eventually. I don’t like taking pictures of foreclosed homes, but right now, that’s what I must do to survive. Hopefully, I will soon find another, more pleasant line of work, but for now I just need to hang on. I encourage everyone to do the same.