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Open up the newspaper or turn on the television, and you’ll learn that the real estate market continues to take a beating, thanks to our country’s economic downturn.  Those in the industry and frustrated home owners trying to sell their homes can attest to the grim statistics and are not surprised to learn that most homes have lost more than 20 percent of their value in the last year. 

Foreclosures are almost becoming the norm and those facing foreclosure or pre-foreclosure are worried about preserving their credit rating and even staying afloat financially.  A new online resource based in Forsyth County called ForeclosureByOwner.org recently launched, offering a solution to sellers and buyers alike.

Real estate investor, advisor and young entrepreneur, Clayton Harlan of Cumming, tracked real estate trends for several years and says he foresaw the collapse of the real estate market three years ago but was met with skepticism.  “I started building ForeclosureByOwner.org in 2006 when I was living in Ft. Myers, Florida, and my business associates and friends thought I was crazy,” recalls Harlan, President and CEO of ForeclosureByOwner.org.  “And now Ft. Myers is unfortunately one of the hardest hit locations with foreclosures and pre-foreclosures.”

Harlan sought to find a solution for the millions of homeowners across the country that were facing foreclosure, who were in pre-foreclosure or simply seeking to sell their home in the most economical manner.  He finished building ForeclosureByOwner.org in 2009 and officially launched the site on May 1, 2009. 

The site includes listings across the nation but can be localized by zip code.  More than 2.2 million listings can be found, and sellers can list homes for free.  Premium listings that include photos, maps, contact information and other pertinent information can be purchased for a nominal monthly fee.  “One of the premises behind ForeclosureByOwner.org is to help people sell their homes without having to pay hefty fees.  They may already be in a financial pinch and every dollar counts.  And I think they’ll be pleased at the results they receive when listing with us,” explains Harlan. 

Those who are fortunate enough to be in a position to buy a home right now will find incredible buying opportunities when visiting ForeclosureByOwner.org.  Anyone can peruse the site and view listings, and those who become members via a reasonable membership fee gain unlimited privileges, including comprehensive information on all homes, photos and contact information.

“Something unique about ForeclosureByOwner.org is our interactive forum page, allowing buyers and sellers to communicate with one another.  We are the only online real estate vehicle with social networking capabilities, and I think it’s important for people to be able to communicate with one another regarding such a significant purchase,” comments Harlan.

With the end of the real estate crisis sketchy at most, Harlan hopes to provide a light at the end of the tunnel and help struggling home owners to preserve their credit rating while being able to sell their homes and avoid bankruptcy.  He also sees ForeclosureByOwner.org as a new resource for those who wish to sell their homes on their own. 

For more information, visit www.ForeclosureByOwner.org, call (404) 484-2831 or e-mail to claytonharlan@foreclosurebyowner.org.