Gail Cunningham, senior director of public relations for the nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling, wrote a piece for CNN.com this morning, titled "Avoiding the fear and shame of foreclosure." It is an insightful look into how we as neighbors, friends, and REALTORS can broach this delicate topic with sensitivity and care.

"There's something about people losing their homes that is disturbing beyond measure. Failure has become a part of their demeanor. After all, foreclosure is about more than the house, and more than the money.

It's about losing the dream, taking your children out of their school and moving your family away from their neighborhood friends. Pulling up roots is never easy, particularly when you're forced to do so...

Homeownership can still be the American dream, but only under the right circumstances. Lenders are returning to more traditional lending standards, and with good reason. Buyers are realizing that what seems too good to be true is often exactly that. America will find solid footing, but until then, many feel as though their home was built on shifting sands."

To read more, click here.