Five months ago we met with John (name changed to protect the innocent). He was scheduled for the foreclosure auction sale 2 months later. He was interested in our services, which included for him and his family to live in the house free for 2 months and then a lease to buy. We were just going to get him out of “the hole”.

A month later he stopped communicating. When, 2 weeks before the auction, we finally got to talk again he indicated that he had worked out something with the bank and was in the process of re-structuring his loan. I was happy for him as in good faith, we always celebrate when people move on with the best possible option. However, we recommended for him to have us as the option B, as things sometimes (more often than not) fall through the cracks with financial institutions. He declined.

The day of the auction he called in panic. Something had fallen through the cracks. He needed the help. It was too late. The house was gone that morning.

It is always good to have a plan B. You-know-what happens.