<small>© 2023 Susan Pruden. All rights reserved. Each CENTURY 21 office is independently owned and operated. Listings provided by Bright MLS from various brokers who participate in IDX (Internet Data Exchange).
<small>© 2023 Susan Pruden. All rights reserved. Each CENTURY 21 office is independently owned and operated. Listings provided by Bright MLS from various brokers who participate in IDX (Internet Data Exchange).

Sometimes NOT Getting Paid is Just Fine

by Susan Pruden
April 19, 2006 Some years ago, in a very slow market, I got a call from a woman who said she and her husband had to sell their home and would I please come over to talk to them about it. They were very close to falling behind in their mortgage payments. They were separating, the bills were piling up and they felt trapped by their very high mortgage payments.

They called a number of real estate agents, including the agent who had sold them the home just a couple of years before. When they told him how much they owed on the mortgage, he told them he couldn't help them and wished them luck. He told them they owed more than they could sell it for (which was true). I was really appalled at their interest rate - it was a good 4% above the current rates. This is one of those instances where both the real estate agent and the lender really took advantage of naive buyers.

When I went over to their house for the listing appointment, I could see the strain on their faces. It was obvious that they felt their lives were just out of control. They told me that they they loved the house, they loved having a yard for their kids, but that their marriage was dissolving and they felt their only option was to move on. After listening to them for a while, I asked them if they would prefer to stay in the house if they could find a way. Apparently no one else had asked them this question. They said yes, they wanted to stay but didn't see how.

I was able to arrange a new mortgage for them, with MUCH lower payments, and they were able to keep their family home. Best yet, they called me a couple of months later and said that they had patched up their marriage because the financial stress had been lifted.

Some things are better than a paycheck and some days I really love my job.

(c) 2006 Susan Pruden

A lifetime Maryland resident, Susan Pruden has the ideal foundation for selling and buying homes. After 8 years working in just about every facet of the mortgage industry, and several years with her own company specializing in marketing for real estate agents, Susan got her real estate license in 1994. Susan has earned several industry awards. The CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award is based on reviews from Susan's clients and is earned by a very small percentage of agents. She has earned that coveted recognition since 2012

Two others were awarded by the Prince George's Association of REALTORS®. The Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award is based on a mixture of community involvement, association involvement and real estate education and designations. The other, the Distinguished Service Award, is for "exceptional meritorious service."

Susan is involved in her local community. She was named Cheverly Volunteer of the Year in 2018, even having June 25th designated "Susan Pruden Day" in the Town of Cheverly. She is also a Commissioner on the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary.

Susan Pruden has lived in Cheverly lived with her husband, Joseph, for almost 30 years.

Susan Pruden, REALTORĀ®
CENTURY 21 New Millennium
1000 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
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<small>© 2023 Susan Pruden. All rights reserved. Each CENTURY 21 office is independently owned and operated. Listings provided by Bright MLS from various brokers who participate in IDX (Internet Data Exchange).
© 2023 Susan Pruden. All rights reserved. Each CENTURY 21 office is independently owned and operated. Listings provided by Bright MLS from various brokers who participate in IDX (Internet Data Exchange).
 
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