Alternatives to Foreclosure

Ten Steps You Can Take to Prevent a Foreclosure

Ten things you can do to prevent losing your home in a foreclosure.

Avoiding Foreclosure: Basic Workout Options

Here are some ways you can work with your mortgage servicer to avoid foreclosure.

Your Options to Avoid Foreclosure

If you are at risk of defaulting on your mortgage, or have already fallen behind on your payments, you may be able to keep your house.

Avoiding Foreclosure During Divorce

Here are your options to avoid foreclosure if you are divorcing -- whether you want to get rid of or keep the home.

Last Minute Strategies to Stop Foreclosure

If you are facing foreclosure, you might be able to save your home by filing for bankruptcy, applying for a loan modification, or filing a lawsuit.

Avoid Foreclosure: Refinances Under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

HARP, a government refinancing program, expired at the end of 2018.

Disaster Loans After a Hurricane, Tornado, or Other Natural Disaster

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loans to homeowners, renters, and business owners to help them rebuild their home or business following a natural disaster, like a hurricane.

Foreclosure Help After a Natural Disaster: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loans

If you have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan and have gone through a natural disaster—like Hurricane Florence or Maria—you might qualify for a foreclosure moratorium or other form of mortgage relief.

How Can I Delay a Foreclosure?

Learn how you can slow down—or perhaps permanently stop—a foreclosure.

How to Get a Mortgage Loan Modification

In many cases you can get a mortgage loan modification yourself. Here's how.

Should I stop paying my mortgage so I qualify for a loan modification?

You don't have to default on mortgage payments in order to get a loan modification, and it's a bad idea to do so.

Should I Apply for a Mortgage Modification Before or After Divorce?

It's usually better to get a loan modification for your home after your divorce is final. Learn why.

What Happens If My Servicer Changes While I'm in the Middle of Applying for a Loan Modification?

Learn about your legal rights if a new company takes over the day-to-day administration of your mortgage while you're trying to get a loan modification.

What's the difference between a loan modification, forbearance agreement, and repayment plan?

Loan modifications, forbearance agreements, and repayment plans are different ways that borrowers can avoid foreclosure.

The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Flex Modification Program: What You Should Know

Learn about how you might be able to get a lower monthly mortgage payment through the Flex Modification program.

How to Stop a Foreclosure on Your Investment Property

If you're struggling to make the mortgage payments for your investment property, you might be able avoid foreclosure with one of these options.

Right of Redemption Before a Foreclosure Sale

Learn about the right of redemption.

What's the Difference Between Reinstatement and Payoff in Foreclosure?

You can prevent a foreclosure by reinstating your mortgage or paying off the loan. Learn the difference between these two options.

Right of Redemption After Foreclosure

When available, the right of redemption allows you to get your home back after a foreclosure.

Avoiding Foreclosure: Can Someone Else Assume (Take Over) the Mortgage?

Learn what it means to “assume” a mortgage, when a mortgage can be assumed, and how a mortgage assumption could help you prevent a foreclosure.

National Mortgage Settlement: Rules to Help Protect Homeowners in Foreclosure

Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo must follow new requirements when servicing loans and dealing with homeowners in foreclosure.

Foreclosure Mediation and Loss Mitigation Programs in Bankruptcy

Some bankruptcy courts have foreclosure prevention programs that can help you avoid foreclosure by working out an alternative with the lender.

Using a Reverse Mortgage to Prevent Foreclosure

If you can get the amount of your mortgage reduced, it could mean the difference between keeping and losing your house.

Foreclosure Help After a Natural Disaster: FHA and VA Loans

If you have a FHA or VA loan and have gone through a hurricane or another natural disaster, you might qualify for foreclosure relief.

What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Mortgage Due to a Government Shutdown

If you aren’t getting a paycheck because of a government shutdown, you might be able to get payment relief from your mortgage servicer or other creditors.