FFPS or Freedom Foreclosure Prevention Services, LLC is located in Mesa, Arizona. This company specializes in loss mitigation or Foreclosure prevention through third party negotiations with the lender. They have extensive experience in the industry and started FFPS in October of 2003. They have an education program that shows you how to help homeowners facing Foreclosure and ways to assist them using the most ethical practice out there. Their President/CEO is Jeff Segal.
When I came to FFPS I literally walked away from my corporate 9-5 stable income to work in foreclosures full time. I was introduced to FFPS in June of 2006 by Scott Segal. I was initially attracted to their company for two reasons. One, I could earn money doing what I loved the most and that was helping others. Two, I could work from home and spend more time with my family. Because they were an internet driven company I was skeptical but I also did my research.
After doing my research on many other companies I found that there was no comparison. Their BBB record was impressive, especially considering that the one company that had a similar model had a BBB record a mile long. I later discovered that Jeff Segal helped that other company design their business structure but broke off and created FFPS because of this other company’s ethics. In addition, FFPS seemed to truly focus on loss mitigation. This played an important role in my decision. There are many companies that claim to do loss mitigation but what I discovered was their interests were really in investment deals. I wanted to be part of a company that made a difference, not one that takes advantage of a homeowner in an already vulnerable situation.
I finally decided to join in July of 2006. What a fantastic decision that was on my part. My first week was a little rough but very fun. I learned so much through training that Renae Gorney provided. I couldn’t believe that I could learn so much in such a short time especially considering that I had absolutely NO real estate background. When I got the email that I passed my certification test I was elated to say the least.
I was a little nervous about starting my own business and how to keep clients coming in. That is how I personally met Jeff Segal. I sent him an email and asked if he would do a marketing consultation with me and work with my budget (which by the way was $80). He was fantastic. I didn’t realize that marketing to Foreclosure clients that needed help could be so easy. Basically he showed me how to get the clients to come to me. He has an impressive arsenal of marketing talents. Not only that, but here is a guy who built his own company for all the right reasons. To actually help homeowners and consultants alike.
Now here I am 8 months later and still just loving it. This has been the best experience of my life. I love the work I do and who I do it with. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to go to sleep at night knowing you did all the right things. My thoughts at night go something like this:
Made a difference in someones life today by helping? Check!
Spent time with my girls and my wonderful husband? Check!
Made great money today? Check
Found a way to give something back for all that I have been blessed to receive? Check!
This has been, by far, the best decision I have ever made. My family is happy and we are debt free! That is what we work for our whole lives and I have already done that. Now I can truly enjoy life.
I honestly think it boils down to karma. If you do what you can to genuinely help people you will be blessed in life. FFPS has given me the opportunity to do all of the above.
If you are considering a home based career I would seriously recommend you take a look at FFPS. You can click here to get more information.
Written by: Donna Atwater (AKA Cfreedom)
Freedom Foreclosure Prevention Services and their CEO Jeff Segal have set an industry example of ethical Foreclosure prevention practices. With foreclosures on the rise there are scammers seeping through the cracks. It is more difficult for homeowners to find the right company to help them avoid their Foreclosure.
Recently I spoke with Jeff Segal, the President and CEO of Freedom Foreclosure Prevention Services (FFPS), and asked him what homeowners should be concerned with the most when looking for Foreclosure prevention services. He had this to say:
“The first thing a homeowner should do is get the legal name of the company offering to help. Also, ask about the President or Owner of the company. Homeowners need to realize that they are trusting someone with their home, their livelihood, their family. Now is not the time to act quickly no matter how rushed they make you feel. Take time to research them thoroughly and find out how long they have been in business. To do this simply ask what state the company is registered in. Each state has a Secretary of State department in which you can run a check. If there isn’t a record of their articles of incorporation or articles of organization they are probably one of what we call ‘pop-up’ companies. They pop-up overnight and blast things all over the internet to appear as though they have some presence and when they get your money they run.”
“The next thing you should do is check their BBB record. It doesn’t necessarily matter that they are members but rather what has been reported on them. Now some companies may not appear at all which may give you the false sense of security that they are a-ok. This is not usually the case. It takes some time for the BBB to file the actual complaint and post this on their internet database. Usually a company without any record usually means they haven’t been around long enough.”
“Anyone can get a website or a blog and create press releases. You need facts about the company. You need to know their legal name and CEO’s name or President. These companies will hide behind their websites and give the impression that they are an actual company when infact they could be working from a basement with no previous knowledge of the business they claim to be in. With the internet housing so many legitimate businesses it’s easy for someone to come along and copy information and appear to have the same knowledge or support that a 10 year old company has. Make sure you get a number for their corporate offices and can speak to an actual person. They have virtual offices now that if you call an 800# you will not get an answer but rather an option to enter an extension or reach someone in the company directory. Once you enter an extension this call is then rerouted to someone’s home telephone number. Do your due diligence on the company that you are working with.”
“Thirdly, before giving them any information about your situation you should ask them what they think the best alternative is for saving someone from Foreclosure. If anything they say involves anything other than loss mitigation or directly negotiating with your lender then run the other way quickly. Some homeowners may not qualify but before they have your personal information, an ethical company will tell you that the first and most advantageous solution is loss mitigation (sometimes casually generalized) or specifically negotiating with your lender. Now again, business men aren’t usually stupid. Some will know to tell you this to get you in the door. This is where your previous research will come in handy at helping you make an informed decision.”
“Lastly, you want two things in writing before paying a dime. One, they offer 100% guarantee if they can’t save your home using the services specified in the time alotted. You want a company that will part with ALL of your fees 100% if they did not fulfill their end of the bargain. Second, you need to have the specified services they are to perform for you in the contract as well. Do not accept a contract that says they will perform ‘one of the following services’ without specifying exactly which one.”
“It is imperative that homeowners do their research. I can’t tell you how many homeowners come to us after a situation like this has turned ugly. Most of these companies are looking to get their foot in the door only to try and steal your home or your equity. Sometimes when a homeowner has undergone such disgusting representation it is too late for an ethical, above board company to offer them help effectively. These homeowners have been drug along thinking they were being helped only to find that essentially all their time has been eaten up and their house is slipping through their fingers.”
“After many years we’ve seen the worst of what these people have done and the blazing path of dreams they have left behind.”
“My best advice - take your time and do your research. If you are facing Foreclosure you deserve someone on your side that truly cares. We wouldn’t approach a Foreclosure situation any other way. We enjoy the lasting emotional elation that our clients feel after their home has been saved. We are in the business to help save Americans from homelessness, restoring faith, supporting families and helping others.”
In my research I have seen many a company but most of them appear to be what Jeff Segal referred to as “pop-up” companies. The others promote options such as short sales as a first alternative when, ethically, this should be the last possible option. Their interest appears to be in the bottom line and not the heart of the homeowners dreams. Freedom Foreclosure Prevention Services has proven to be one of the best in this industry.
