Odell Barnes to Respond Tomorrow

We at ABC News and "Nightline" are both heartened and saddened by the number of responses we’ve received to the story we aired last night on real estate investor Odell Barnes.  Heartened because we love hearing from you and knowing that you’re watching.  Saddened because so many people are in need of good, affordable housing, particularly in this tight market. 

What we’ve done is ask Odell Barnes to be our guest blogger tomorrow, Thursday, November 20th, to write a message responding to all the people who’ve written in.   He’s not great with a computer, but says he’ll have his wife type something up tonight.   

I can  also suggest that you Google "REO listings" to see foreclosed homes available through large lenders.  "REO" stands for real estate owned.  HUD has a website, Fannie Mae has a website, many major banks have websites where you can enter your area, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms required, and your preferred price range, then see what they have on their books.  It’s not the same as the Odell Barnes method, but it’s a place to start. 

In the meantime, please don’t try to find Barnes’ phone number — he says he can’t handle the volume of calls as it is — plus, there’s at least one other Odell Barnes in the phone book, who’s not happy  getting calls for that other guy.