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Are you getting calls from new or established clients seeking advice on how to avoid foreclosure? If so, pointing them in the right direction is crucial. This resource guide provides information and links to agencies and organizations that can help get your clients out of trouble and into manageable situations.

In today's Real Estate, more and more homeowners are falling behind in their mortgage payments, resulting in higher numbers of default notices and foreclosures. Unfortunately, many homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes carelessly take actions that harm their chances of keeping their homes. Homeowners need to be informed about the financing options available to them and the actions they can take to avoid foreclosures.

Finding a solution early on is critical when it comes to helping homeowners stay in their homes and protect their credit. As a Real Estate agent and trusted advisor, one of the most important things you can do in today’s market is help struggling homeowners seek assistance. The following resources will help you steer these clients in the right direction:

HUD
Phone: (800) 569-4287
Web site: www.hud.gov
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors numerous housing counseling agencies in the United States, which advise consumers on how they can avoid foreclosures or deal with them when they are inevitable. They can also provide guidance to renters who face eviction due to foreclosures.

If homeowners are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments or have been notified by their lenders that they are in danger of foreclosure, HUD cautions that they should contact the lenders immediately and find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to help guide them through the process. The HUD Web site allows users to find a list of agencies in every state.

Homeowner's HOPE Hotline
Phone: (888) 995-HOPE
Web site: www.995hope.org
The Homeowner's HOPE Hotline is a free service offered by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF), a nonprofit agency dedicated to preserving homeownership and preventing foreclosure. HPF partners with local governments, nonprofits, borrowers, and mortgage lenders to create homeownership preservation solutions. If a homeowner calls or starts an online counseling session, they can talk with a counselor who is an expert in foreclosure prevention and trained to find solutions for homeowners.

NeighborWorks America
Phone: (202) 220-2300
Web sites:
NeighborWorks Center for Foreclosure Solutions
NeighborWorks Lookup (by state)

The NeighborWorks Center for Foreclosure Solutions, an initiative of NeighborWorks America, is a nation-wide agency that was created to minimize the rising foreclosure rates by helping homeowners stay in their homes and negotiate with their lenders.

By partnering with national nonprofit, mortgage and insurance organizations, the Center offers homeowners guidance from foreclosure counselors. It also conducts public outreach campaigns to educate homeowners who face foreclosure, and researches local and national trends to find strategic solutions. For example, in cities and states with high rates of foreclosure, such as California and Nevada, the Center works with local leaders to develop foreclosure intervention programs.

The Web site provides news related to foreclosures, including updates on new legislation, as well as tips and articles designed to educate struggling homeowners about their options.

Mortgage Lenders
The mortgage lenders listed below have voluntarily joined the federal government to help homeowners who are facing foreclosure. By contacting these lenders and working with them early on, homeowners have a good chance of negotiating a manageable situation that may help them keep their homes.

Company Contact Numbers

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