We purchased our home in Algonquin in 2005 at an adjustable mortgage rate. In 2007, the payments were adjusted and it became hard for us to keep up with them. What was even worse, my husband's work hours were reduced. And so our struggle began. 

Our payments were late, and after three months, we received a Notice of Default from our lender. It was difficult news to swallow. When you are behind on payments, it isn't easy to catch up. We began to fear answering the phone and opening the letters that came in the mail.  Eventually we disconnected the home phone line. Fear and discouragement immobilized us. We even avoided talking at the dinner table because it was so uncomfortable.

One day, a lady I worked with received a phone call to come home fast. The police were evicting her from her home. By the time she arrived, all of her furniture was already at the curb and the locks had been changed. Who could have guessed that my co-worker was in a similar situation? I have two children, so my first thought was to protect them. I started looking for help. When I started making phone calls and talking to people, I became less nervous. The tension began to melt away, and my thinking became clearer. What happened was something I had heard about. Your thoughts are things. If you dwell on fear, it is what you fear that will most materialize in your life. I called Peter and we met with him and his wife, Halina. It felt like meeting old friends.

We owed the lender $264,000, and properties like ours were listed for $219,000 to $230,000. A home in our area foreclosed in our area for $190,000.  Peter and Halina negotiated the second mortgage so that the lender forgave us that loan. They also negotiated with the first lender and even contested the Bank's Price Opinion on our home, which came in higher than the real value was. They sold it with no cost to us. They even negotiated $1,500 dollars worth of relocation fees for us. We rented a condo for one year. Today, we have a nicer home for less money with a low fixed rate. My husband got another job. We are a happy family again. We talk and laugh.

What would have happened to us if I'd let my fears keep me paralyzed? It felt good to quiet the fearful thoughts about how it is too late, or that it is embarrassing to speak with a stranger. Believe me, sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger than to people you know.

This is my family story.  Do not carry a heavy burden alone. Make that call and take control of your future! Do not use your energy to fear, use it to believe and act!

Mary B., Algonquin