• Don’t ignore the problem. The further behind you become, the harder it will be to find a solution.

• Contact your lender. Lenders do not want to take back your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult times.

• Respond to all mail from your lender. The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options. Later mail may include important notices of pending legal action. Failure to open the mail will not be an excuse if foreclosure comes.

• Know your rights. Find and read your loan documents so you know what your lender may do if you can’t make your payments.

• Understand foreclosure prevention options. The Federal Housing Administration has valuable information about foreclosure prevention options at www.fha.gov.

• Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. The Department of Housing and Urban Development funds free or very low-cost housing counseling to help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender. Call (800) 569-4287 or TTY (800) 877-8339.

• Prioritize your spending. After health care, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment.

• Use your assets. Do you have assets — a second car, jewelry, a life insurance policy — that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job? Even if these efforts don’t significantly increase your income, they show your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.

• Avoid foreclosure prevention companies. You don’t need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help — use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they may charge you a hefty fee for advice you can get for free.

• Don’t lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams. If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home. Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development