A realtor in Santa Clarita who offers free foreclosure defense services to the public is calling on elected officials to stop banks from foreclosing on houses during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Governor Newsom said — and I wrote it down because I wanted to make sure I got it right –, that everyone is going to have to make sacrifices, but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them,” said Richard Szerman of Alta Realty Group. “What is foreclosing on someone’s home during a pandemic if not denying them their place to live?”

Szerman continued that the eviction moratorium preventing residents from being evicted is “wonderful,” but asked what will happen when it comes to an end. 

Related: Santa Clarita Realtor Fights To Save Home Of Cancer Survivor Facing Foreclosure

“According to a study with UCLA, … there are now 365,000 people in the state of California who are in — quote — ‘imminent danger of eviction,’” Szerman said. “That means the minute the eviction prohibition runs out, they are going to be homeless. Add to that the people who are now going to have no home because of foreclosure, and you get a mess.”

The actions currently being taken in response to the pandemic and the sheer number of foreclosures going into the market at once are “creating a bubble, which will burst,” according to Szerman.

“When it does, it is going to hurt all of us,” he said. “If you thought the crash of 2008 was problematic, wait until you see this. We have absolutely got to take some action. We need to do it now. If you allow the banks to continue to foreclose, we are writing our own financial death warrant when it comes to the housing market in California.”

Szerman urged elected officials to “pause” foreclosures, which he said would be consistent with other elements of the economy that are currently “shut down.”

“How would you like this? You don’t have your job because of the pandemic, you’re locked at home for the last four, five months, … you can’t go anywhere, can’t do anything, and now as an added benefit, you’re getting notices in the mail that the bank is taking your house,” Szerman said. “And there’s not a whole heck of a lot you can do about it because you can’t even go outside.” 

The banks even attempting to judge who can afford their mortgage payments and who can’t during the current crisis isn’t fair, according to Szerman. 

“For the banks to ignore the fact that there is a pandemic is reprehensible; for the politicians not to do something to prevent them from foreclosing is irresponsible,” Szerman said. 

He continued, “This must be dealt with and it must be dealt with immediately. Otherwise the problems this is going to cause, we will be dealing with for another decade. We just cleaned up the last economic mess and we are signing ourselves up for another one.” 

To contact Richard Szerman of Alta Realty Group for free foreclosure defense services, call or text 661-714-1400.

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight for Richard Szerman of Alta Realty Group.

Santa Clarita realtor Richard Szerman, of Alta Realty Group, has more than two decades of experience as a realtor. After “quietly” conducting public outreach and pro bono work as a realtor in Santa Clarita for many years, Szerman is raising awareness about the opportunities available to the community through Alta Realty Group. He offers free foreclosure defense services to the public, gives clients money to buy a house based on the rent they have previously paid, and gives sellers money to fix up their house in an effort to help it sell at a higher price. The Rental Rebate, Free Loan Modification and Resale Renovation Programs are designed to help make it easier to buy a house, sell a house and even save a house from foreclosure. Anyone looking for a “realtor near me” can reach out to the team at Alta Realty Group today. 

Richard Szerman, Alta Realty Group

27451 Tourney Road, Ste #140
Valencia, CA  91355

Office: (661) 253-3000

To call/text Richard directly: (661) 714-1400

Richard Szerman, Alta Realty Group – Santa Clarita

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