How I Helped a Homeowner Avoid Foreclosure—And What I Learned About Real Impact

[David Litt]

I wanted to share a recent experience that’s stuck with me—not because it was a big deal financially, but because of how it reminded me why I got into real estate in the first place.

I was contacted by a homeowner who was just a few weeks away from foreclosure. She was in her 70s, widowed, and had been quietly falling behind for about a year after some medical issues. She’d been too overwhelmed to open the lender’s letters, and by the time we spoke, the auction date was already set.

She wasn’t trying to sell. She wasn’t looking for an investor. She just didn’t know what to do.

Instead of talking deals, I asked her a simple question: “What would a good outcome look like for you?”

Her answer: “To stay in my home, even if it means starting over.”

So, I connected her with a friend who is in foreclosure rescue, he helped her gather the needed financials, and walked her through the loan modification process. Long story short: it worked. Her foreclosure was postponed, and she was approved for a new payment plan she could manage.

Here’s What This Taught Me:

• Impact > ROI sometimes. Not every win is about cash flow or equity. Sometimes it's about knowing you made a real difference.

• Homeowners in distress need education more than pitches. Most people don’t even know loan mods or hardship programs exist.

• There’s a place in this business for empathy. And honestly, that approach builds more trust (and referrals) than any direct mail campaign.

Just wanted to throw this out there. Have any of you had similar experiences? How do you balance helping people in tough spots with keeping your business sustainable?

Would love to hear your thoughts.