I think there are so many parties with money involved in home sales that the process follows a well-known schedule, and there is so much law involved - escrow, title, real estate codes and regulations. I am getting many solicitations for new loans, from home equity to "disaster relief" ... the whole thing is a sad, cruel, awful shame. I encountered few homeless people who were happy to be on the streets. Nearly all would have been glad to live in a decent place and pay what they could afford. They could even buy their own places if the payments were reasonable ... which they are not!