What to do when the seller doesn't know any of the financial details?

[Sean Dezoysa]

I just got a call from a guy in pre-foreclosure who was apparently losing everything. I couldn't even call him back because he said his phone was getting shut off. the only details he knew about his situation was that he owed about $60,000 on his $150,000 house. Obviously I need more details than that to help him. he eventually grew frustrated and said he was going to end the call because he didn't know anything and it was making him feel bad.

for the other guys who work pre-foreclosures, what are you supposed to do in this situation? I've heard you could get them to sign a release so that you can investigate the bank loan details yourself, is this what I should have done?