Sometimes Free isn't Always Free...

Recently I responded to someone elses blog stating that people offering foreclosure assistance for a fee, are scamming people. The title of his blog was, "Foreclosure Assistance, The Art of Self Defense." I also was part of a pre-foreclosure avoidance workshop that was put on by a non-profit agency asserting the same thing.

In the case of the non-profit agency, the lady that conducted the workshop stated that all companies that are facing foreclosure are scams. Naturally I was offended and asked her to defend her point. She stated that this was a service that anyone could get for free. When I asked her how many people she had to turn away because they were either too busy, understaffed, overworked or couldn't help she became defensive. This was not my intention, but I wanted to make my point that are a few companies, such as ours, are very legitimate, have several more than satisfied clients and that offers several different programs for continued support, education and assistance.

I've attached my response to the blog I answered a few days ago. When the blogger responds, I'll attach his comments as well.

Enjoy my comments...

Hi Camillo,

Although well intentioned, I disagree with your comments on many levels.

I've had this same disagreement with non-profit agencies, basically sharing your same ideas.

Agreed, there are many unscrupulous people that claim to help unfortunate people that are facing foreclosure that only want to either scam them out of their home or just skim the equity as you've mentioned in your article.

But to say that people can do many of the detailed things associated with getting their mortgage caught up on their own in all cases, or can have a non-profit do all of it is just not true.

Please don't misunderstand, many non-profits do a good job with the resources they have. I'm sure you already know how underpaid and overworked most of the non-profit agencies are.

Additionally, all of the legitimate companies that actually help people facing foreclosure, or behind on their mortgage payments offer no further assistance. Some offer credit counseling, but nothing that touches the homeowner on a psychological or kinestetic level.

Where I and my company are different, is in the approach we take. We continue working with the homeowner months after the foreclosure or delinquent mortgage has been resolved. Some of the services we offer them is ongoing coaching, workshops, seminars and other supportive products.

We believe it's what the homeowner does the days, weeks, and months following the foreclosure has been resolved that's going to make the biggest impact. If the homeowner doesn't clearly understand what really caused them to fall behind and take proactive measures to resolve it; I'm sure you already know that there is a strong chance it will occur again in the near future.

I can give lists of people that didn't invest in themselves and ended up right back in foreclosure just a few short months down the road.

Lastly, it's very important for homeowners to know what scams are out there, but let's not tell them they can get the same services for free. This is one reason people choose their own doctors over clinics, or their own attorney over legal aid. They are all free, but the paid services have the resources to do so much more for their clients or patients. A true foreclosure counseling service will be affordable for the people that really need it.

Best Wishes