Anamosa Family Sells Almost Everything to Prevent Foreclosure
By Mark Geary, Reporter
By
Mark Geary
Story Created:
Jan 16, 2008 at 9:27 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jan 16, 2008 at 10:12 PM CDT
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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Friday, Jan 18 at 4:48 PM Anonymous wrote ...
thats what it is to a speech. like thats goin to help in the situation. why dont they say they'll hold off payments for 6 months until you get back on your feet and make the payments affordable, you can start making payments again. or cut them in 1/3 a month and be accepted until your able to make them in full that would help. NO instead they give you the speech and then ripe your life out from under you in 3 months. but theres light at the end of the tunnel we just need to hang on long enough.
Friday, Jan 18 at 2:25 PM Bad wrote ...
Corporate lenders! My husband just lost his job at Victor Plastics and I called our BIG lender and asked what will happen-the man cleared his voice and ran the speech-you will fall behind in 3 months and we will then begin foreclosure. Just like that! That was it! No, I'm sorry, this is how we work through this or anything. Stick with the little local guy-they are the ones who are going to help people through bad times. God Bless.
Friday, Jan 18 at 2:13 PM Anonymous wrote ...
the companies and government just do what they want to us little people because there arent enough citizens fighting back. we need to all stand up against them and scream NO MORE! stop! we not stupid and were not goin to let you take advantage of our situations any longer. to the johnston family and to the others in the foreclosure cases. keep in mind your not alone and well all make it through this. be strong from a friend in foreclosure.
Friday, Jan 18 at 11:07 AM Anonymous wrote ...
COMPASSION!!!! HELPING YOUR FELLOWMAN!!! without thinking about what you get in return.you do it just to do it. regareless of the reason. its those of you who are self centered, greedy, and cold hearted, that will get what is coming to you.in the end. unforeseen tradagy happens to everyone sooner or later.and if we dont get these mortgage companies and government taxes undercontrol now the self centered folks will be standing in line right beside the rest in the bread lines with the rest of us.
Friday, Jan 18 at 8:29 AM rottlvr wrote ...
To bad for you! I`d be ashamed to ask for help from the public, knowing that you were that far behind in payments. SELL THE SUV!, we did to make the house payment before. & im sure Mc Donalds has job openings. & for the person that bought the china,enjoy it.we will continue to help, they now need food stamps!! & we, the working people pay for that!! I feel for the kids..........
Friday, Jan 18 at 2:13 AM Patriot wrote ...
what kind of lender would fine then double payments, is that legal? we should all miss our payments, they cant foreclose on all of us. Americans needs to get tough with our oppressors, killing the american dream. Remeber wha happened to the farms in the 80's,
Thursday, Jan 17 at 10:16 PM Anonymous wrote ...
If I bought something from this family and took it home, I would feel really bad. I agree with the comment that people should "buy" whatever item for however much and then hand it right back to the owners and think of it as an offering of good-will. That way they can keep their sentimental stuff at least.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 9:21 PM anonymous wrote ...
This family should quit whining about thier problems and quit trying to get sympathy from the public. They have 2 houses. How bout the homeless people in this country who will sleep out in the cold tonight and what about the starving and the ones who have poor health and dying? Be thankful for what you do have! Others are much worse off!!!
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:37 PM mom wrote ...
Learn to budget. Don't spend what you don't have and above all, LEARN TO SAY NO!
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:34 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Wishing the Johnston family all the best in 2008.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:28 PM i know these people wrote ...
dont be so quick with the goodlucks and prayers!!! when your in such bad shape money-wise the last thing they should be doing is buying junk just because its a good deal. im pretty sure the adult shop doesnt pay all that well so maybe its time to move up a bit. has anyone seen what they drive? a nice and unafordable suv. theyve always been a bit different and had crazy ideas. dougs a Mason, so take the family and go live off the land. when it gets to cold you can sleep in the suv. dont feel sry!
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:24 PM nikki c wrote ...
i think that this is a very good thing it will being there family closer together, than most of us are w/ out own familys, i know that it's a tuff situation but go them for still staying tuff through it all
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:20 PM Previous Lender wrote ...
It's too bad they only write these stories after the fact. Sounds like if people would have known about the auction in advance maybe more would have shown up and they would have raised more money. I would have liked to buy something just so I could give it back. People should lay off these folks, I think the idea behind the story was that the community showed up the help them out.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:12 PM Anonymous wrote ...
i'm sorry...but this is probably the most worthless piece of news I've ever seen. A lot of people are going through this...and I can't really feel bad. My prayers go out to these people, but do you guys want to do a story on my financial problems too?
Thursday, Jan 17 at 3:56 PM you should be ashamed wrote ...
for most normal people they suffer a hardship at sometime. everyone who wrote negative comments should be ashamed b/c this could happen to you. don't be so harsh on people who got dealt a bad card. they don't seem to be expecting handouts otherwise they wouldn't have sold their belongings. i wish the family the best. my heart goes out to them material things come and go family lasts forever.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 3:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Who does this family know? 3 front page stories about them losing their house? Talk about a slow news week. What a sob story, lost his job... 5! years ago, couldn't pay the house payments THIS year. Instead of paying their mortgage they pay for a house rental. Excellent idea.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 1:44 PM My comment part 2 wrote ...
. Also in the previous article it said that they failed were not able to pay there mortgage when there car payments came due. Everyone seems to be blaming the mortgage company for raising there payments however the only people at fault here are the said family.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 1:43 PM My comment part one wrote ...
Not to sound heartless but in my opinion this family made very bad decisions and that is why they are where they are today. I do feel bad that Doug lost his job, however according to a previous article it said he lost his job 5 years ago. 4 years ago they got money from HUD to make repairs to the house, now don’t you think that if they were in a dire situation they would have waited to do the repairs and take on the burden of paying HUD back.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 1:32 PM Expect many more... wrote ...
The housing market in Cedar Rapids STINKS. Expect many, many more of these stories as the economy tanks under Bush and more families are forced out of their homes.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 12:11 PM in the same boat wrote ...
I can understand some bad times we are in the same boat just one after another hit lost jobs due to outsourcing etc.. Maybe we should be trying this our selves ..My hear goes out to the family as I know the Pain they are going through
Thursday, Jan 17 at 11:44 AM Zach wrote ...
Bloggers, please watch those nutty suggestions that seem to imply it's okay to dig in my pocket to help somebody out via more taxes, bailouts, superfunds, etc. Leave my money alone, and thank you.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 11:35 AM lifeistoshort wrote ...
I must say with all the comments on this story, it says we all have been in some kind of hardship, Me and my wife lost everything but not to high payments but due to a fire, and there is nothing nicer than a community that reaches out to help you. Life is to short to judge, i aggree that people some times spend money on things they don't need, but I think we all are guilty of that at one point in our lifes. If we all could just pass it forward once a day or a week life would be just a lil nicer
Thursday, Jan 17 at 11:28 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Is their house not in Cedar Rapids? I say keep their things and let the bank have the house.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 11:12 AM Concerned wrote ...
Unless I misunderstood, but didn't this family have TWO locations that they live at - one in CR and one in Anamosa? Why didn't they wait like the rest of us to sell their house before moving to a second "cheaper" location. I believe that if they are that silly in not selling the first before moving, they kind of put themselves in their own predicament. I don't feel sorry for them if this is the case. The only ones I feel sorry for are the ones that are working two jobs with no help...
Thursday, Jan 17 at 11:03 AM Anonymous wrote ...
I think ALL of the items purchased should be returned to the family-especially the sentimental items! The critical comments make me sick.The family going public takes courage-swallowing their pride to ask for help! Those of you sharing your personal story and telling them to "move on"- obviously you haven't if you are telling us now. Do you want us to feel sorry for you as well? I do feel bad that you suffered and maybe you should have reached out. There are many of us out here with kind hearts!
Thursday, Jan 17 at 10:43 AM J. James wrote ...
I have to say, over 2 million people a year go through this. There are a good chunk that hit hard times and didn't overspend their means. Do we read about them? No. Do you hear about people climbing over to start fundraisers for them? No. SHOULD we? I think their community should, but something like this is just asking for needless attention. Yes it's bad, I've gone through the same thing myself though not as severe.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 9:35 AM Tawsha wrote ...
Has anyone thought about placing an app for them to get some help from extreme home makeover, because what they have done to survive is something that i'm sure a lot of people couldn't be strong enough to do! My heart and prayers go out to this family and I hope very much that things work out for them.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 9:24 AM CR Banker wrote ...
Heather, I agree. 2 million people a year going through foreclosure and/or bankruptcy. Why should we start a fund to help out a family just because they decided to publicize their financial issues rather than deal with them privately.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 8:39 AM anonymous wrote ...
Best of Luck to you all, GODS BE!
Thursday, Jan 17 at 8:38 AM Tim wrote ...
I think that most people are living beyond their mean. Do you need all the cell phones, cable tv, internet. Most leaders will work with you if you contact them BEFORE it's too late. But people don't. Plus you can't tell me that these people don't relize that with a adjustable rate loan,the payment is going to go up. If you can't afford it don't sign the paper work. Hopefully they will know better next time.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 8:21 AM Anonymous wrote ...
God and family are the most important thing,, and we can't judge these people on if they spent money beyond their needs or not. We know first hand what it's like to live pay check to pay check, and sometimes just paying the bills, putting food on the table, making the house payment is hard enough,, So we can't judge these people and say that they spent beyond their needs, people make mistakes, God can help you through any situation, and Church family can too sometimes more than your own..
Thursday, Jan 17 at 7:23 AM Trisha wrote ...
The article didn't mention it, but I'm wondering if the family is involved with their church. Most church families would have done something to help... such as buy the china, have a fundraiser, etc. In many, many situations, I have seen church families more helpful than blood family. I will pray for them. Sounds like they're on track financially... may need the prayers for peace, strength and spiritual security.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 7:17 AM Anon wrote ...
You should go read the story on the Gazette online. There are more details as to why this happened, it's not their fault they were misled by their mortgage company. They aren't the first people to have this happen by a greedy mortgage company and I'm sure they won't be the last. By the way: Grizz-Dave Ramsey is awesome-My husband and I are FPU coordinators so I'm glad to hear people listen to him.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 7:14 AM No Matter wrote ...
Anyone who is critical of the Johnston's here must really think. I have no knowledge of these people but it seems that whether or not thay made mistakes that they are not bad people. Heck we have all made mistakes or taken chances that didn't work out. The Johnston's took a chance and came up with the short end of the stick. I would only hope that if I was ever in the same way that there were compassionate people there to help me back on my feet. Johnstons - my prayers are with you.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 7:06 AM Heather wrote ...
Having gone through foreclosure myself I can assure you that the company offered the modification especially due to the recent subprime impact. Although if the family did not have the means to make the payment at the modified amount it would be denied. The fines are the fees. Terminology is key here. I feel very bad for the family but having gone through it myself with the other 2 million people in a year. Stop reaching out for pity and move on. To use the media is a sad sad thing.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 6:59 AM Kris wrote ...
I know how they feel we had to sell stuff to pay our rent a few years ago when my husband had to have surgery and could not work.Its hard but we made it thru and we learned the less we buy the less we have to lose.I wish them all the best and keep your heads up it will get better.God Bless your family
Thursday, Jan 17 at 6:35 AM Adam wrote ...
Even if it doesn't work out, it is such a liberating feeling to let go of all your possessions. Everyone should do it once in their life. Start over fresh. The stuff people say about your possessions owning you is very true.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 5:37 AM Grizz wrote ...
I think the mortgage company is trying to pull a fast one on them. Mortgage companys are in trouble themselves becouse of their own greed. Now when someone gets in trouble they start bullying them.this deal they are getting I don't think is legal. They should try to call that DAVE RAMSEY on the radio WMT in the evenings I have heard him talk about things just like this, this is not legal, but noone fights the Mortgage company they will just walk all over you.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 5:29 AM Terri wrote ...
I know the Johnston family and would like to say I am glad to see the well wishes for the family. I can say that they did not spend beyond their means. One bad situation led to them moving and now it has gotten worse. I hope that everything everyone is doing to try and help this family is enough to get them thru financially. I know they are a very strong family and will make it thru no matter what in their hearts.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:38 AM Pam wrote ...
It sure is sad to see our world coming to this, Knowing that interest rates are takng over,must be making someone rich.
Thursday, Jan 17 at 2:35 AM jake wrote ...
let the company of cedar rapids know of a foundation and I would be happy to help
Wednesday, Jan 16 at 11:54 PM JE wrote ...
I'm wondering if they spent beyond their means. You see it all the time. People expect to have all the latest stuff...cell's for the whole family, new mini van, a brand new computer and the latest in TV's. I feel for someone having to sell their Mom's china but til you show the inside of their house...I have no pitty.
Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:54 PM Jamie wrote ...
It's nice to see people owning up and trying to resolve their financial situation. I wish them all the luck in the world!!
Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:36 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I find a lot of interesting things about their story. The mortgage company "fined" them AKA legal fees associated with filing foreclosure action (is it supposed to be free?) If their payments are doubled, they most likely are on a repayment plan rather than getting a modification which is usually a small increase in payment ~$50/mnnth. You only get a repay if you have already had a mod or have shown through financial info to have affordability. Obviously a sad story but always 2 sides.
Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:19 PM docriggle@netins.net wrote ...
I sure wish I knew who bought the china at the auction, I would like to buy it from them and give it back to the Johnsons. If thats possible, please email me at the name above. thanks
Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:18 PM Gary Knebel wrote ...
I seen tonight on the news what has happen to this family.It breaks my heart to see good people in such need.I don't have much but a big heart and wish I could do something for this family.I send them my prayers and love hoping this will help lift their sprits.
Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:05 PM sher wrote ...
It sounds like they really know what is important, their family. Without family you have nothing. They are doing everything that they can to make ends meet. It would have been so easy for this family to claim bankruptcy, but they didn't. They are taking responsibility with things. They are figuring out that stuff is stuff and that family is life. We should all get rid of the stuff in our lives and focus on the important things:GOD and FAMILY
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