Hi.
Is it strange that even though this site is designed for those of us in need to request assistance from those who can help, I still feel awkward asking? I’ve had this page open on my desktop for nearly two months and got really anxious every time I clicked on it to start writing. They say a closed mouth doesn’t get fed, so I needed to admit to myself that I need help and I can’t do this alone. That’s a very difficult thing to do for someone who likes to help, but not ask for it.
My Story: When the bubble burst in 2008, I was laid off at the end of October. I spent the next 8.5 years surviving on unemployment, underemployment, self-employment; basically anything legal to feed myself and not lose my home. The arrears on my mortgage and maintenance fees (combined) at one point equalled some people’s annual income. A home-saver grant in 2014 gave me a much needed lifeline. And, then I was blessed with a steady full time job in April of 2017.
At the beginning of 2023, six years of hard work and discipline resulted in my making the last payment to bring current the roughly $60K total I owed to my HOA (maintenance arrears + late fees + HOA’s attorney’s fees). I was now able to focus on chipping away at my $40K mortgage arrears (while still paying current maintenance).
In the spring, the bank sold my debt to a collector which (this summer) put me on a six month program to establish a new mortgage instead of losing my home to foreclosure: Pay $1738.38 by the 1st of each month (Aug ’23 – Jan ’24). So, even though I had to keep my belt tightened to manage the $1738 (mtg) + $625 (HOA) + living expenses, while only making a couple hundred more (monthly) than that $2400 total, I stayed positive and believed that this too would eventually pass.
But, on October 12, ’23, training to move up a position in my company, while training my replacement, my former employer laid off 10% of the company, and gave me four weeks severance after 6.5 years of service. Deflating.
The shock of first being heralded for exceptional work, then being terminated with a disrespectful severance package, when on the door step of finally rebounding after 15 yrs of struggle was crushing. Now, I’m two months behind on my maintenance (made the decision to fall behind on the HOA fees to complete the six month mortgage program).
Ideally, I’d like enough to cover the two remaining mortgage program payments, plus three additional months covering the first quarter of 2024 (5 x 1738.38 = $8691.90). And, the two missed months of my HOA plus Dec and the first quarter of 2024 (6 x 625 = $3750). The grand total of $12441.90 + living expenses as it’s difficult to find a job during the holiday season. $15000 would be a great help, but I am open to whatever anyone out there can provide. Humbly. Thank you.
paypal.me/CarmeloC718