• Don’t wait.  Call for help immediately.  The longer you wait to get help, the less likely you can be helped.  Seek help before you miss a payment.  Call 1-888-995-HOPE , a housing counselor (free/confidential) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish.
• Communicate with your lender - Chances are your lender will want to work with you and help you find a way to keep your home.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME?

• Get Free Counseling - Contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service Hotline, (877) 254-1097 or a counseling agent approved by Montgomery County:
  • HomeFree USA - (301) 891-8400
    www.homefreeusa.org
  • Latino Economic Development Corporation (L.E.D.C.)
    (301) 949-2173
    www.ledcdc.org
• Beware of scams - Watch out for predatory lenders, unsolicited offers to help and for-profit phone counseling agencies.
• Never sign anything you do not understand - Check with a nonprofit housing counselor or lawyer first.

What Documents Do You Need? - Have the following documents ready when you contact a housing counselor or your lender:

• Settlement papers
• Recent correspondence from lender (late notice, foreclosure notices, etc.)
• Recent statement from lender
• Recent pay stubs
• Statements of all debt (credit cards, loans, medical utilities, etc.)

Loss Mitigation Options
Your lender may be willing to explore these options with you:

• Forbearance
• Refinance
• Repayment Plan
• Loan Modification
• Partial or Advance Claim
• Reverse Equity Mortgage