I don't post much but just had to vent

[Critter]

a little. Well we have lived in this house 3 years now and so far this hear there are 2 houses on this block that are empty due to foreclosure and we think that there is one more going they are moving things out (when it is dark I think so no one in the neighborhood would notice) but I talked to her about a week or so ago and she said that her dh and her were going to talk to a Bankruptcy attorney I asked if they were going to try to save the house she siad she didn't think so they would most likely move and just let the bank have it back (like they want it back really) they have 3 kids and another on the way (could be twins to early to tell). It makes me sad for the kids but angery at the parents what kind of life is that for kids? I know things happen but she doesn't work and he does have a good job and they both just act like they don't care at all. What upsets me and others is this hurts our values of our homes to. The one next to use has been empty forever but it just sold at auction and will more then likely be a rental which is just lovely for all us because the person who bought it rents to just anyone and they don't take care of things either. So besides 2 houses now empty 1 more looks to be going that way and another more then likely a rental I am just sad about it I know times are tough and all but there has to be something that can help people.

I am sorry to vent and I do understand things happen but I guess what kills me is the attitude of who cares really. Also I guess what upsets me is about 2 months ago I orderd a tin of popcorn for her son for boy scouts and never got it and that was $10 which in the whole ball of wax isn't much but I have a feeling it never went for what it was intended for maybe I am wrong. I told dh tom I am going to go down and ask it has been about 2 months give or take a week. Do you think that is wrong? I know I could just let it go but it makes me mad just a little bit. When I asked about it a few weeks ago I was told it was coming soon well when is soon and are they going to leave in the middle of the night and I never get it?? I know that sounds childish doesn't it.

Thanks for letting me vent a little. I am just disappointed in how this lovely neighborhood is turning out to be. Dh and I will never get any money out of this house when we goto sell if these houses are all empty around us. Anyone else having this problem in there neighborhoods?

[LexTysMommy]

I would go ask for the popcorn too. No its not petty.

As for the neighborhood, it is not happening in my direct neighborhood but I feel it will happen as people are living above their means. Building, buying things they cant afford, to later just give up and not care.

Sorry this happened. Hope they sell to some great neighbors and the renters are great!

[powerfm1]

It's happening here in spades. Basically Cleveland is the sub-prime lending foreclosure state in the country. Our previous governor did not want to pass any laws that would regulate these thieves and we are one of only 3 states in the country where this industry isn't regulated.

Let's face it, many people do not know how to budget, how to handle credit, what it means to sign a contract and that a lot of people in the lending business aren't necessarily saints. Everyone suffers for it.

[dolphin]

Let's face it, many people do not know how to budget, how to handle credit, what it means to sign a contract and that a lot of people in the lending business aren't necessarily saints. Everyone suffers for it.

Or, it could be a situation like us. We both got layed off our jobs at the same time, same company, 4 years ago when we both had wonderful credit ratings. Shortly after, I filed and got Social Security Disability, no questions asked, literally, I had worked longer than I should have. Am still on Disability and will be forever. We've been married 32 years, had great credit till 4 years ago, dh had to change professions to find work and yet still gets layed off every year or 2 due to the economy. Ds is disabled and moves back in with us every few months. Life is just hard. Yes. 2 houses across the street went into foreclosure and one is being rented but 1 is still empty after 2 years. We are facing foreclosure right now but I garuantee you that we could still sell our place for twice what the neighbors place is worth cause we have more land and are on a corner lot. I think it just all depends on lots of things like how well you have taken care of your place.

Don't fret, if you aren't ready to sell right now, things will change soon. It's just obvious because peoples lives change so quickly.

[Jamauk]

I'd ask for the popcorn - or your money back - its not petty. Its a small lesson, but maybe it'll make the woman see what being responsible with money is all about.

[sdrjeolsen]

Critter, I'm sorry. I don't think it is petty to ask for your money back or for the popcorn. Too bad she modeling less than great behavior to her son. I agree with pp, if you plan to stay for a while, things shoud turn around. Also, when things shake out, it will be the norm in most neighborhoods and poeple will realize that prices on some homes are lower due to the mortgage bubble.

But I do understand your frustration we had a similar situation 10 or so years ago, several homes in our small neighborhood "went under" and then we had a murder in the house across the street and it sold for dirt cheap to people who were very messy in their property upkeep. It really hurt values in the neighborhood for several years. Thankfully though, by the time we sold, things had begun to climb again. But I did always wonder what we could have gotten out of the house if things hadn't sat stagnent for so long.

[dolphin]

2 neighbors across the street just bouht within the year and have turned the properties into horse ranches. Well, that cool but for us, it stinks smelling 40 or more horses pooping every day, but....I know we'll be able to sell our property for a good price because it 'IS' rance parcels and about 2 minutes from the city limits. You just never know what is going to happen in your neighborhood.

I suggest that you NOT ask about the popcorn. Treat it as a life lesson and forgive and forget.

[many houseapes]

I haven't noticed any forclosures...but that doesn't mean that there aren't any. But what I have noticed is that my neighborhood is changing. There are some rentals and I cringe whenever I see someone moving in them.There has been more violence on my street than when we moved here 10 yrs ago.

[i.m.cheap]

Please have some compassion. We lost our house three years ago, after my DH suddenly lost his job without warning. We tried to sell, but because we had used a "first-time buyers" program with zero down, and financed the closing costs, we were upside down on the mortgage. We were not able to sell for the pay-off, or even close. It was humiliating to have to give up our house. Even four years after losing that job, my DH has not been able to come close to replacing it with one with similar pay or benefits.

We are both attending college full-time on Pell Grants, in an effort to make us more marketable to employers. My DH works two part-time jobs. I am still looking for work, but with only one car, and both of us taking college classes, it is hard to find a job that accommodates my class schedule and lack of transportation. There is no public transportation where we live. I have applied everywhere within walking distance. We struggle every day to keep the rent paid and food on the table. We have a school age child that was heartbroken when we lost our house (a very modest, 50 year old, three bedroom, one bath ranch) we now live in an apartment complex.

We learned some hard lessons. I will never buy another home with less than 20% down. We also had over $4,000 in repairs during the short time (three years) that we owned our home. We had to borrow money to replace the furnace and the air conditioner. We had expensive plumbing repairs as well. We never spent money frivolously. We were in debt because of the house. We thought we were making a wise investment when we bought a home. It is the "American Dream".

[Critter]

I do feel compassion for this family but she is very very open about anything and everything I didn't ask she told me this is what they were doing and they didn't want to live in this town anymore and instead of selling they were just letting it go they thought it would be easier. I feel sorry for the kids mostly. It isn't a case that either of them is layed off she doesn't work and I don't think since we have lived her she has and he works a good job but with 3 kids an another on the way I am sure it makes it hard but what I don't understand is why not try something don't just let it go. I know they have been moving things out for about a week or so and they do it in the evening and I am not sure when they will be gone but I know from the loads that they have taken out it will be soon I am sure. What is sad is that with 2 other houses like this in our neighborhood it hurts us to I know it hurts them but it also hurts the other homes and homeowners around them and is not fair.

I am still up in arms on what to do about what I bought from her son if I had know about this before then I might not have bought anything but I can't help but wonder where it is or at least give me back my money. I am not trying to be hard on anyone just upset and I don't even think it is over the tin of popcorn I think it is more over that I think they kept the money for something else. If they needed something all they had to do was ask and I would have given them something if I could. I know pride and all that but sometimes pride is over rated when you need help.

I tried to explain to her about trying to sell or do a short sale if they bank would do it but they owe more then they paid for the house 6 years ago so I am sure that doesn't help at all. I guess I just don't understand what do you tell your kids and how do you pick up and move away and start over so easily as it seems to be for them to do, I don't even think it is about the money or anything it is just that I feel ripped off in a way.

Thanks for letting me vent thou it did make me feel better. I know that others in the neighborhoond aren't happy either with everything that is going on but I guess what can we do. I mean it isn't like the foreclosure happened over night they knew they were behind and they knew at least a few months ago so they could have tried something not saying it would have worked but at least it would have been trying.

[justpeachy92]

No advice but boyscout popcorn gets delivered beginning of Dec. The troops didn't have to submit their orders till mid-nov.

[McD]

Just food for thought---she may not work because with 3 kids it may be cheaper for her to stay home.

I know if we have another child, that would bump up our daycare to 1000$ a month. By the time you factor in gas, clothes, etc. it oftentimes cheaper to stay at home, rather than work.

[Critter]

No advice but boyscout popcorn gets delivered beginning of Dec. The troops didn't have to submit their orders till mid-nov.

Ok thanks I didn't know that and when I asked her a few weeks ago she said it would be here soon. So I will wait and hopefully I will get it. Thanks thou that makes me feel some what better.

Ok I didn't mean to be a downer about her not working I just meant that if they needed the money and the kids are in school you would think something would help. I know when we need money I do odd jobs here and there to make it. I wasn't meaning that she had to do something I just meant if money is tight something has to give and with the kids in school that would be my 1st thing is to find something part time.

[cutetexancowgirl2002]

Critter,

If you have the extra cash flow you might look into purchasing some of the foreclosures in your neighborhood. If you could rent the houses and make the payments, you could be investing in real estate and controlling who your neighbors are. With the market the way it is, you can find an awesome deal on a foreclosure especially the ones that have been on the market awhile.

[mom23boyz]

Well I am actually offended by this whole thing because you never really know what a persons situation is. I lost my house about 4 months ago because we got screwed with our loan and my illness last year really hurt us financially. I may have been able to take further action, probably gotten further indebt and saved my house. Honestly my kids are better off now than before we lost the house. We moved around the corner from our house into a rental and actually a better part of the neighborhood. I worked for a mortgage co. up until May and I happen to know too many people are losing there houses because of the mortgage co. not always their mismanagement of $$. Sorry I just wanted to say sometimes what we think is going on may not be all there is to it.