In a heartbreaking turn of events, a young couple is staring down the possibility of foreclosure just months after purchasing their first home, a move they now deeply regret.
The 27-year-old woman, who shared her story anonymously online, said she and her husband used their entire savings to purchase a home in March this year. “We put everything we had into it,” she wrote. But their dream of homeownership quickly turned into a nightmare.
Soon after moving in, she lost her job when the nonprofit she worked for was impacted by sweeping funding cuts. The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had restructured federal spending, pulling financial support from numerous NGOs and US funded initiatives. Just weeks later, her husband’s job was also eliminated.
With no income and a $5,000 monthly mortgage looming over them, the couple is now in financial free fall. Unemployment benefits cover less than a quarter of their monthly bills, and without family support or savings to fall back on, they are running out of time and options. “I’ve tried so hard to compartmentalize and stay strong,” she said. “But today, I broke.” Now bracing for the possibility of foreclosure, she says she feels scared, hopeless, and uncertain of what lies ahead. “We don’t know how we’ll make it. I’ve never felt this powerless before.”
“Get the house listed asap”
The Internet quickly reacted to the post. A user said, “Call your mortgage company if not already and let them know of the income losses for each of you. They will work with you for a bit, maybe 3 months or more. I’m sorry to hear this but a 5,000 mortgage seems so very high regardless! If you put a substantial amount down, you have equity in the home so please consider selling before it falls into foreclosure to not lose that equity whatsoever. You should be able to recoup all of your money back unless you vastly overpaid for a property that will not appraise for what you paid since March. I know this is terrible to read. Sorry and best of luck.”
Another added, “I am so so sorry I was there last Monday, complete breakdown I melted into hopelessness and cried and cried. I get it. I know reddit doesn’t like prayer but I have prayed for you and I will continue to keep you in my prayers, you will prevail and find stability again this I know. This is a bump in the road for you which will end up working out in your favor in the end even if it seems like complete chaos and a huge disaster. You will be blessed with a better job and home even if it seems like all is lost. You’ve gotten good advice here from others, it’s going to work out even if it seems like it won’t. This house may not be “the one” but there will be one in your future and you will recover.”
A user noted, “Very sorry to hear that. Not a great position to be in, that’s safe to say. I’d recommend selling the place if the mortgage co doesn’t want to work with you, but I would definitely try that first. Moving in with friends/family temporarily might be a good idea. I know it sucks, but it’s probably your best bet as foreclosure will likely ruin any chances of buying a home for a long time.”
“Get the house listed asap. Talk to your mortgage company about options that help you sell the home and avoid foreclosure, like short sale (if needed) work on getting income and living situation settled if home sells. You’ll have a few months before foreclosure auction (find out timelines) Regardless of what happens (foreclosure or not), this is not the end of the world. Your credit will be shot and you won’t be able buy another house for 2-3 years but you can and will come back from this. Time (and credit repair) will fix all of this. Just take care of yourselves and get some income into your household as fast as you can,” noted a netizen