In the years leading up to 2008, housing prices had been steadily rising, creating a housing bubble. Many believed that home prices would keep increasing, so they invested heavily in real estate. Many banks and financial institutions held large amounts of these risky mortgage-backed securities. When it became clear that the underlying mortgages were defaulting at alarming rates, these institutions suffered massive losses. As more homeowners defaulted on their mortgages, foreclosures surged, causing a glut of houses on the market. This oversupply led to a sharp decline in home prices.  I began assisting homeowners, investors, builders, and any person or entity with Loan Modifications, Short Sales, and Deed in Lieu of Foreclosures. Assisting distressed homeowners, investors, and builders lasted well over a decade.