New eBook Helps Homeowners in Foreclosure Avoid Becoming April Fools

Surprise, AZ (PRWEB) April 2, 2008

Foreclosure expert and first-time author L. J. Sutherland shares his practical tips for getting out of foreclosure and into a new home in the just-completed e-book, 'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide', scheduled for timely release on April 2.

With the April 15 tax deadline just days away, homeowners nationwide find themselves feeling like April Fools. Houses that were purchased as smart investments and a good way to save on taxes have become financial burdens. "The mortgage crisis is epidemic and it's killing the American dream of home ownership like the plague," says Sutherland. To underscore the urgency, he points to the more than 223,000 properties were in some stage of default, "1 in every 557 U.S. households," that are in some stage of default (Source: California-based RealtyTrac Inc., a seller of foreclosure data).

Spiking foreclosures pushed the inventory of existing homes last year to the highest ever, making it more difficult for property owners to sell. As rates rise and prices fall, "The pervasive sense that it is impossible to sell or refinance is keeping many people from taking action." 'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' shows homeowners that they do have options and "can wake up from the nightmare of foreclosure and walk into a new dream house," says Sutherland.

The Antidote to Hopelessness & Homelessness
Sutherland believes the crisis will worsen. "About $460 billion of adjustable-rate mortgages are scheduled to reset this year and another $420 billion will rise in 2011," says Sutherland referring to staggering projections made by Citigroup Inc. "The writing is on the wall," he observes. "Concerned homeowners can't afford to take a head-in-the-sand or wait-and-see attitude. They need to immediately begin to explore their options and take action."

'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' is, "a life preserver and home-saver for homeowners in foreclosure, on the brink of foreclosure, or concerned that foreclosure is in their future," explains Sutherland. The information-oriented guide focuses on the often-overlooked idea of selling a home in foreclosure and buying a new, more affordable property.

"Foreclosure ruins lives and credit ratings," warns Sutherland. "That's why I'm so passionate about letting homeowners in on the 'secrets' of life-saving measures such as lease options, seller financing, and mortgage assumption."

'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' also addresses "how the government can help," says Sutherland. "People need to realize that there are programs available through FHA where cash is available for saving homes." The book illuminates the advantages and challenges of the different options and provides "a how-to strategy that homeowners can immediately implement."

What Homeowners Should Do Now
Many homeowners believe that once they have been served with a notice of default (NOD), the clock has run out. The truth of the matter is that there is, "a small window of opportunity when homeowners can act," says Sutherland. He outlines four steps that should be taken immediately. The purpose of each of these four steps and the goal of 'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' is to "empower and motivate homeowners and show them there's no reason to live in fear," explains Sutherland.

•     Make a commitment and keep it: "You need a proactive mindset and the willingness to act now." says Sutherland "Once you decide what to do, you need to act quickly in order to prevent additional damage to your credit rating and getting in 'too deep' to ever be able to dig out," he explains.
•     Create a list of questions and get the answers: "The only way to discover the best solution for you is to ask specific questions of mortgage brokers, attorneys, realtors, or the lenders who are interested in taking your money. Don't be intimidated by the 'experts' you're consulting. Remember they work for you…not the other way around!" he urges.
•     Set a timetable and take your first step: "After you've come to an informed, intelligent decision based on what you've learned, you're halfway there. Don't let inertia set in. Don't procrastinate. Take action before your window of opportunity closes," says Sutherland.

No April Foolery
For an increasing number of homeowners, foreclosure is not a distant fear, but an unavoidable reality. Sutherland offers these words of hope. "Foreclosure doesn't have to mean losing everything. There are strategies that homeowners can use to buy a more affordable residence within days of foreclosure." Sutherland says he created 'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' to keep people from losing their homes and then saying, 'I feel like a fool because I didn't know I had options.'

No fools this April...or May or June or ever again. Not if L.J. Sutherland has his way.

'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' will be available online at http://www.credit-relief-books.com. For media inquiries or additional information, please contact the author at LJ @ credit-relief-books.com.

About L. J. Sutherland
L. J. Sutherland is an Arizona-based entrepreneur whose new book 'Don't Take My Home Away...A Foreclosure Survival Guide' offers stressed homeowners a way to get out of foreclosure and into a new home. The e-Book offers a detailed view of the many options that allow those facing foreclosures to keep from having their houses sold out from under them. A father of four, Sutherland has made a career of helping others. He is also creator of the Do-It-Yourself Child I.D. Card Kit. The laminated identification card provides vital statistics in the event that a child is lost or injured.

Contact:

L. J. Sutherland
Surprise, AZ
800-428-9489
602-486-5181
Hope @ credit-relief-books.com

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