Avoid foreclosure
Foreclosure happens when a lender seizes and sells a property because the homeowner has not been making the required mortgage payments. Learn how you might be able to prevent it.
Communicate with your lender
If you know that you are going to have trouble paying your mortgage:
- Contact your lender immediately and let them know you are having financial difficulties. This allows your lender time to work with you to create a plan.
- Do not stop paying your bills.
- Do not wait until you cannot make payments before you act.
Learn how to talk to your lender about trouble making payments.
Get help from housing counselors and programs
Government programs and housing counselors can help you learn your options as you work to keep your home.
- The Making Home Affordable (MHA) program offers free counseling if you are struggling to pay your mortgage. Call 1-888-995-HOPE (1-888-995-4673).
- Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency in your area for free, local foreclosure prevention services.
- The Homeowner Assistance Fund provides financial help for families having trouble paying their mortgage because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the map to find your state’s Homeowner Assistance Fund program.
- If you have an FHA loan, call the FHA National Servicing Center at 1-877-622-8525 for help working with your lender to avoid foreclosure.
LAST UPDATED: December 15, 2023
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