Avoiding Foreclosure

If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage on time or know you will have difficulty in the near future, call your lender. Your lender is your biggest ally if you are having problems paying your mortgage, and the sooner you reach out for assistance, the more help they can provide.

Your lender – also called a servicer – has a variety of options to help you with your mortgage and avoid foreclosure. These options include:

• The President's Making Home Affordable Plan
• Loan Modification
• Refinance
• Short Sale
• Deed-in-Lieu
• Forbearance
• Repayment plans

You can find your lender's contact information on your mortgage statement or coupon book.

If your lender has called or mailed you documents, do not ignore them. Your lender is trying to help you. Remember, when you contact your lender early, there is a greater chance your lender can help you with your mortgage and avoid foreclosure.

Are You Facing Foreclosure?

There are resources available to help you protect your home.

• Attend a Foreclosure Prevention Workshop in Your Area
• Where to Get Help
• Working With Your Lender
• Identifying a Housing Counselor
• Special Circumstances to Stop Foreclosure
• How to Rebuild After a Foreclosure
• How to Spot Loan Modification Scams
• Making Home Affordable Frequently Asked Questions

Help for Homeowners

Please use the self-assessment tools provided on MakingHomeAffordable.gov to see if you are among the millions of homeowners who may be able to benefit from Making Home Affordable.

You can also connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor through HOPE LoanPort.

• Your next step: Preparing for the conversation with your lender.

Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams
Help is Free!

• There's never a fee to get help with Making Home Affordable from your lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
• Beware of anyone who asks you to pay a fee in exchange for housing counseling services or modification of a delinquent loan. Do not pay – walk away!
• Beware of people who pressure you to sign papers.
• Beware of anyone who says they can "save" your home if you sign or transfer over the deed to your house. Do not sign over the deed to your property to any organization or individual unless you are working directly with your mortgage company to forgive your debt.
• Never submit your mortgage payments to anyone other than your mortgage company without their approval.

Report Scams

• Fight back against loan modification scammers! If you think you've been scammed or approached by a company or individual promising to help you with your foreclosure, report it immediately!
• Learn more about loan modification scams – knowledge is your best defense.