02/13/2020
THIS is why we do what we do. This business is never about buying houses or profits, but impacting lives and REAL PEOPLE. People before profits, always leading with a servitude heart. ❤️
This is not my story but another Broker/Investor’s story... Please read.
"I have a story that I NEVER talk about, It is something that I was ashamed of for a very long time until I realized I could help others with my mistakes.
In 2007 I was buying houses at Auction on the courthouse steps, I would buy at least 2 a day. I was selling them faster than I could buy them. It was great. It was a game to me. I would stand at the Auctions and laugh as I bought them telling the other Investors I got this one. The day I bought them I would start a process, I would go to the house knock on the door and tell the people I bought your house at auction today and try and make a deal with them to move out. I would send them a letter and start eviction, I had the process down to a T.
In September of 2007 I bought one in PW County and went to the door, an elderly man answered, I said Hi my name is Jamie I bought your home today on the Courthouse steps. I need to talk with you, He asked me to come in and sit with he and his wife. They were both retired and he worked at the local hardware store to make extra money. His wife had been sick and the bills were piling up. That is how he got behind. I told him I was sorry did he have somewhere else to live, He said he would make arrangements, His son lived in Colorado he would call him. I went home and was thankful for the day of profits, I had bought this at land value. WOW this was going to be a huge deal for me.
I stayed in touch with him throughout the month and told him I still had to keep the process going towards eviction. After the 30 days I had to file an Unlawful detainer which gets me a court date, he did not show up but called and said he would be out, he and his wife would be moving to where his son was. I said great, I then filed for my Writ of Possession (Remember it is a process) This sends the sheriff out in 7 days. I talked with the Elderly man two days before the sheriff was coming out and he said the next day was moving day for him. I said great it was great meeting you and I wished them the best. I started calling my contractors because I needed to get started on rehabbing as soon as the sheriffs came out and turned possession over to me. (Because as you know it is a process)
It was a Tuesday morning. The morning of the actual eviction. I am driving and I get a call, it is the sheriff, I said I am about 1 minute away, He said don't come! I said but I am pulling up now, When I turned the corner I saw the police tape wrapped around my new Investment. I got out of the car and walked up to the sheriff that was still on the phone with me and I said what is going on? He said the husband had killed his wife and then himself. It took the breath out of me. He had left a note saying he did not want to be a burden to his son, and this was his way of ending all of their troubles, The bills had become to much and the house was the last straw.
I went home and cried for days. I had not put a Real Human on the other side of this until now. This was a man that had lost everything and all I cared about was the profits. I stopped buying houses at auction that day. I also stopped working for 6 months.
Then it dawned on me I HAVE to reach out to these people before they get to auction. If I can save 1 person from going through what this elderly couple went through it is worth it.
Every morning I wake up and say a prayer that he will guide me to let me help more people who think there are no other options.
That is my Real Why!!!
Why am I telling you this story? I want you to think about the person (The Human) on the other side of these transactions, Your auction lists, Your list of people that you know are in trouble, They may be in the same boat as this couple, What can you do to change someone else's life?"
