Creating a Win
Yes It Is Possible, It Takes Work...Follow These Steps
We are certainly in one of the most challenging times as a country and community in the past 30 plus years. Somewhere along the way we got off track and created a false world that had no chance of lasting (nor should it have lasted). While many called the previous market a good market it truly was a bad market that hurt millions of people and virtually every community. There were very few winners and of those who did "win" many are now facing serious consequences and repercussions.
Every person has the opportunity to create a new win. But we need to create wins that will last and are based on sound financial, ethical and tested principles. The hurt, anger, frustration and sense of loss are very real to your life and to our community. Many are going through a grieving process and their lives have (or will be) disrupted through loss of homes, jobs, relationships, credit, and finances.
Step 1: A New Perspective
The first step to creating a win is to put things into perspective. It may be clichéd but if you have your health, your family, and healthy relationships you are already experiencing the most important wins in life. Whether you may be losing your home to foreclosure or it makes sense to do a short sale of your home if your family and relationships are strong and healthy you have one of the best support systems to recovering from this difficult time. While home ownership is the American Dream and has many benefits- it is not what life is about. During this difficult time focus on your family, your friendships, your faith and your community involvement. These are the truly rewarding aspects of life.
Step 2: Sound Financial Planning
The second step to creating a win would be to do a financial review and check-up. There are several key steps that each person should begin to take to move forward for a strong future (& home ownership again). One of the reasons that so many people have ended up in the difficult place they find themselves is that we have veered away from sound financial principles. We tended to look at the "best case scenario" rather than the "worst case scenario"- could I afford this home if I had to pay a fully amortized 30 year principle and interest payment? We veered away from that question because prices were (unrealistically & falsely) rising and everyone life was good. There was "panic buying" that created a false market and false prices accompanied by financing that wasn't based on sound financial principles. This became a very dangerous combination that as everyone is now aware blew up in our faces. It may be time to sit down with a financial counselor and take a good honest look at where you truly stand and how you run your finances. What is your income? What are your expenses? Where could you budget differently? (Budget, what is a budget? you ask- that may be part of the issue). Are you spending everything you make or are you able to save for the future (for things like a down payment, college for the kids, retirement, etc). Are you living off credit and setting yourself up for a fall?
A good credit counselor can help to lay out a plan to restore your credit, save for the future and be positioned for some wins immediately and in the long term picture. While a financial review and adjustment may not be the most exciting step you can take to creating a win- it can be the most rewarding.
Step 3: A New Attitude
A third step toward creating a win is to have a positive attitude. We can get bitter or we can get better. A loss or a failure is not the end of the world. Many of the greatest government figures, business people, inventors and "successes" we know of through history had more losses than wins and more failures than successes. But the common factor in all of them was their attitude. They didn't allow a setback to cause them to give up or quit. They took the adverse experiences they faced and went through to make them stronger, wiser, more resourceful, and better. Aren't you thankful that Thomas Edison didn't quit after his 50th failure of creating the incandescent light bulb. Our nation should be thankful that Abraham Lincoln didn't take his first, second and third defeats in his quest for public office to derail him from his dreams.
The Strength of Working with A TEAM
We have a desire to help you create wins as you move forward during these trying times. Among our team are a certified financial counselor, a former pastor and current police chaplain, property managers, a business development leader, and people who genuinely care about the struggles that families and our community are going through and have a desire to help people to create some wins again.
No Cookie Cutter Solutions, We Know Each Situation Is Unique
If we can help please feel free to contact us. We would love to talk with you face to face to discuss the options available to you. We also recognize that every situation is unique and has special circumstances. We don't have a "cookie cutter" approach to your situation and each circumstance is different. Each loan, family and situation is unique and "one size does not fit all."
We will treat you as a person and will give you the best our team has to offer. We would love to help you discover the options and the best option for you- but talk with an attorney and/or tax expert before, during and after talking with us to make sure you know how your decision(s) will impact you now and in the future.
CONTACT US
To receive more information or schedule an appointment please fill out this Contact page or simply call us directly.
