Anamosa Family Sells Almost Everything to Prevent Foreclosure

By Mark Geary, Reporter

Tools

By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jan 16, 2008 at 9:27 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 16, 2008 at 10:12 PM CST

ANAMOSA -- An Anamosa family is trying to solve some financial problems in an unusual way. They're selling just about everything they own.

The Johnston family missed a few mortgage payments and the lender fined them. Now, their monthly payment is almost double what it was before. Wednesday night, the family took a drastic step to avoid foreclosure.

The Johnston's never thought they'd have to sell just about everything they own.

"No matter how hard we worked, no matter how many extra hours, no matter how much time we put in, we just couldn't catch up," Erika Johnston said.

Money raised at the auction will help the family pay their bills and avoid foreclosure on their home.

"If we didn't sell it, we were going to have to put it into storage. Then, we'd have to come up with the money every month for storage," Doug Johnston said.

Some items are ordinary -- like old VHS tapes. Others have deep sentimental value. It broke Erika Johnston's heart to sell her mother's china.

"21 years of Thanksgiving. A lifetime...reduced to nothing but a table," she said.

Her husband, Doug, cringed when he realized he had to let go of his tools.

"Some of them I just collect because they're interesting to me," he said.

The couple's two daughters had to sacrifice most of their belongings, too.

As the family reflects on what they're losing, they find strength in knowing they still have each other.

"There's nothing here that's worth more than my children and my family, so it all goes," Erika Johnston said.

A new chapter in the Johnston's life is about to begin. They all want to focus on the future, learn from their money mistakes and simply start over.

The family raised a little more than one-thousand dollars at the auction.

Now, they just need someone to buy their house so they can move into a more affordable place to live.

If you'd like information about the Johnston family's home, contact realtor Debra Henson -- 319.480.2700. The house is located at 1402 1st Ave. NW.

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