Facing Financial Hardship? Selling Your House Might Be Your Best Option
Losing a job or experiencing a major income disruption is scary. Bills keep coming, but the paychecks have stopped or been drastically reduced.
You're trying to figure out how to keep everything afloat. You've cut expenses everywhere you can. Maybe you've dipped into savings or put things on credit cards. But the math isn't working - your mortgage payment is too high, and you can't see a way forward.
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You might be thinking: "If I just hold on a little longer, things will turn around."
Maybe they will. But what if they don't? Every month you wait, you're draining savings you might need, falling further behind on payments, and moving closer to foreclosure.
Sometimes the smartest financial move is to cut your losses, sell the house, and reset your financial situation.
Why People in Financial Hardship Choose Oak Tree Home Buyers
When money is tight and time is critical, we offer a solution that makes sense:
Get Cash Quickly: We can close in as little as 7-14 days. That means cash in your hand fast, which you can use to pay off debts, cover moving costs, or create a financial cushion while you figure out your next steps.
No Repairs or Preparation Costs: You don't have money to spend on fixing up the house. We get it. We buy as-is, so you don't spend a dime.
1
Stop the Financial Bleeding
Every month you hold onto a house you can't afford, you're going deeper into debt. Selling now stops that spiral and lets you start rebuilding.
2
Avoid
Foreclosure
If you sell before foreclosure happens, you protect your credit and capture any equity you have. Foreclosure destroys your credit for 7 years and leaves you with nothing. (See also: Pre-Foreclosure)
3
No Agent Commissions
When money is tight, every dollar matters. Our cash offer is what you receive - no 5-6% commission eating into your proceeds.
4
Control and
Dignity
You're making a proactive decision to sell on your terms, rather than having the bank take your home through foreclosure. That matters.
The Hard Truth About Trying to "Hold On"
It's natural to want to fight for your home. But sometimes holding on actually makes your financial situation worse:
​Mounting Late Fees: Once you start missing mortgage payments, late fees and penalties add up fast. You're not just behind on the payment - you're behind on the payment plus fees.
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Stress and Health: The mental and physical toll of financial stress is real. Constant worry about losing your home affects your health, relationships, and ability to move forward.​​
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Limiting Your Options: The longer you wait, the fewer options you have. Selling proactively gives you choices. Waiting until foreclosure removes your choices entirely.
Losing Equity: If you have equity in your home, you're at risk of losing it entirely if the house goes to foreclosure. Selling now preserves that equity.
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Credit Damage is Happening: Every late payment is already hurting your credit. If you eventually face foreclosure, your credit will be destroyed for years.
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Draining Your Savings: Every month you use savings or credit cards to cover the mortgage, you're depleting resources you'll need for your future - first/last month's rent on a new place, security deposits, moving costs, living expenses while you find work.
Should You Sell or Try to Work With Your Lender?
This depends on your specific situation. Here are the options:
Loan Modification: Your lender might restructure your loan to make payments more affordable. This works if your income situation is temporary and you can afford modified payments.
Forbearance: The lender might let you pause or reduce payments temporarily. But eventually those payments come due, often all at once.
Short Sale: If you owe more than the house is worth, the lender might accept less than you owe. This protects your credit better than foreclosure, but it's complicated and takes months.
Selling: If you have equity, selling is often the smartest move. You walk away with cash, avoid credit damage, and start fresh.
Our advice: If you have equity in your home, selling is usually your best option. You preserve that equity, protect your credit, and get cash to help you through this difficult time.
If you're underwater (owe more than it's worth), we can still talk - we have experience with short sales and can help you explore that option.
What to Do With the Proceeds
Once you sell, here's how to think about the money:
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​Priority 1: Secure Housing: First/last month's rent, security deposit, moving costs. Get yourself and your family into stable housing.
Priority 2: Create a Buffer: If possible, keep 2-3 months of living expenses in savings as a cushion while you get back on your feet.
Priority 3: Address Critical Debts: Pay off any debts that are damaging your credit or charging high interest.
Priority 4: Invest in Your Recovery: Maybe that means retraining for a new career, relocating to an area with better job opportunities, or starting a modest emergency fund.
The goal isn't to maximize returns - it's to stabilize your situation and give yourself breathing room to rebuild.
Serving Counties Southeast of Atlanta
We buy houses from homeowners facing financial hardship throughout Henry County, Newton County, Rockdale County, Clayton County, Walton County, Butts County, Spalding County, Monroe County, Lamar County, and parts of Dekalb County - including McDonough, Covington, Conyers, Lithonia, and surrounding communities.
This Isn't Failure - It's Smart Decision-Making
Losing a job or facing financial hardship doesn't make you a failure. It makes you human. Life happens to everyone.
What separates people who recover from people who spiral deeper is making smart decisions when things get tough.
Selling your house proactively - before foreclosure, before you've exhausted all your resources, before your credit is destroyed - is a smart decision. It's taking control of a difficult situation and giving yourself the best chance to rebuild.
There's no shame in downsizing or renting for a while. There's no shame in resetting your finances. What matters is that you take action to protect your future.
Common Financial Hardship Situations
Job Loss: You've been laid off or let go, and unemployment doesn't cover the mortgage. You're actively looking for work, but it's taking longer than expected.
Reduced Income: Your hours were cut, you had to take a lower-paying job, or your business income dropped significantly. You can't afford the mortgage on your reduced income.
Medical Debt: Unexpected medical bills have devastated your finances. You're choosing between paying medical creditors and paying the mortgage.
Business Failure: Your business didn't work out, leaving you with debt and no income. Your personal finances are suffering as a result.
Divorce: Your marriage ended and you can't afford the house alone.
Unexpected Expenses: Major car repairs, family emergencies, or other unexpected costs have drained your reserves and you can't keep up with the mortgage.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Let's have an honest, no-pressure conversation about your house and your financial situation.
We'll give you straight answers, a fair cash offer, and clarity about your options. What you do with that information is completely up to you.
The first step is just a conversation. You have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain.
Call us at 770-626-4550 or fill out the form below.
