Atlanta is one of the places that are greatly affected by the mortgage crisis in the United States. The number of Atlanta bank foreclosures filed has raised Atlanta to the 11th rank nationwide in terms of how grave the situation on foreclosures is in the area. Naturally, real estate agents specializing in bank foreclosures would flock there since the city is a booming market for them. Unfortunately, in dealing with distressed families that are facing the dilemma of losing their homes, many real estate agents forget that there is a human face behind the short sale deal.

The idea of losing one’s home can be very traumatic for a family, especially if there are small children in that family. That trauma is coupled by the fear and anxiety brought about by the possibility of having a bad mark on the family’s credit rating, as is often the case with foreclosures. People of the genteel south seem to feel this the most, so negotiating short sales on Atlanta bank foreclosures can be tricky. A real estate agent will not get any cooperation from the affected family if he treats them as a means to get a quick profit rather than as a family in despair.

To be able to get a semblance of cooperation from distressed families facing Atlanta bank foreclosures, it is important for the real estate agent to see them as people. It would help the real estate agent a lot if he tries to envision himself in their situation. In that way, he would be able to show genuine concern about the plight of the distressed family and present his offer as a way of helping them instead of as a way for the agent to make a quick buck off them. While aggressiveness in scoring the deal is essential, it is just as essential to show a little bit of respect for the distressed family’s time and privacy.

As a show of this respect, a real estate agent must never barge in unexpected on the distressed family’s doorstep. The best way would be for him to introduce himself first through a handwritten letter. Handwritten letters make the agent stand out among other agents vying for the property as well as show that the agent is also a human being. A lot of these letters need to be sent during the course of pre-foreclosures to establish a connection between the agent and the distressed family.

These letters should be followed up with a phone call or a personal visit. By then, the distressed family would be familiar with the agent and would be more open to dealing with him regarding the short sale. When the agent shows up at the family’s doorstep, he should be prepared with all the forms and paperwork necessary in presenting his offer. Also, the offer should be a complete one, with a detailed financial plan. Most of all, the agent should be familiar with the state laws concerning Atlanta bank foreclosures. In this way, the offer he would be presenting would not only be helpful but also very much legal.