July 10, 2015 - Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1HiTOIQ. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Matthew Sullivan is the founder and CEO of CrowdVenture, a company that is using the power of crowdfunding to help people stay in their homes, even when the homes are under water financially. Matthew explains: Every home has a heartbeat. Our aim is to demystify and democratise the investment process and give the wider community access to investments that deliver social benefits as well as solid returns. There are currently 821,275 properties in U.S. that are in some stage of foreclosure (default, auction or bank owned) while the number of homes listed for sale on RealtyTrac is 1,287,934. In May, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in U.S. was 1% higher than the previous month and 16% higher than the same time last year. Homeowners have been waiting for serious, meaningful relief from the crash in their home values that was the byproduct of the manipulation of the finance sector during the years prior to the 2007 crisis. Many of the new foreclosure actions are being taken out against people who have tried to hang on to their homes despite the bottoming-out of home values and sky-high unemployment rates. One by one these families are falling into the jaws of foreclosure as they simply cannot hold out any longer. Banks are either unwilling or unable to offer solutions that are sustainable for the homeowner. The Home Guardian Fund does however offer a real solution – we buy these distressed, non-performing mortgages from banks and hedge funds at big discounts, then work with homeowners to reduce their principal balance and monthly payments so the loan becomes affordable again. This means the homeowner can stay in their home and no longer faces the threat of eviction. Our approach provides a profitable return for the investor, while helping to keep the heart beating in every home. Please consider whether a friend or colleague might benefit from this piece and, if so, share it.
#260: Some Facing Foreclosure Will Receive Helping Hand Instead