The value of attending a class on foreclosure mediation cannot be over stressed. With housing prices continuing their downward spiral in many areas, particularly in the West, as the homeowner you need as much information as you can possibly gather.

Here in the Las Vegas area, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in conjunction with UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, regularly hold classes to help homeowners facing lender foreclosures. Their class is a few hours long and worth every minute. You will walk away armed with the information you need should you choose to go the route of Mediation with your lender.

We have firsthand experience with this – due to a long span of unemployment for my husband. Our dilemma is similar to many who, through no fault of their own, purchased homes they could afford before the economy took its nose dive affecting so many. However, having exited Round 1, we came out winners. Being prepared – having every single piece of paperwork ready and with you – is your key to a successful mediation.

For us, the lender side was unprepared. This is a sharp stick in the eye for them, and a winner of a conclusion for us. It’s not over, but we have high hopes that when all is said and done, we will have something we can live with – an affordable payment to make each month.

Whether you decide to keep your underwater home or not, choosing Mediation is your best choice for both individuals and families. There are numerous other factors to consider that go beyond the stay or go decision. Six states are labeled recourse states. Be sure to know what sort of laws govern your state, and take these factors into consideration.

Your life strategy lesson for the day… do not sit back and let things happen to you. Be proactive. Be prepared. Be knowledgeable. Take the bull by the horns. After all, those you “go up against” are mere humans working in a highly flawed system. These are two points in your favor if you are prepared!

Larry Brauner of Online Social Networking makes an interesting (and perhaps obvious) point. After attending a webinar, he brings home a point that maybe some of us ARE missing.

Do you follow blindly what your “guru” is telling you? Does it often seem that by the time you get to “do it” the doing has already been done to death? Do you always have that “missed the boat” feeling?

Maybe there is a reason…

Larry speaks out about the human tendency to “flock,” and questions whether that is a wise internet marketing (or social media marketing) strategy.

We were recently enrolled taking a very publicized course about social media. We did withdraw from that course when it appeared that the areas for marketing where oversaturated and perhaps not the best choice. Another case of too little too late (and at a very expensive price tag to learn the lesson!) ??

Larry’s point of zagging if everyone is zigging is a point we should all take to heart. Doing our own thing, planned mine you, not mindless, has always served us well.

Thanks Larry for the reminder!