It's often possible to avoid foreclosure even if you're two or three payments behind. Sometimes you can avoid foreclosure up until a week or even less before the auction is scheduled. And, yes, sometimes you can even do it yourself. But it's better to have some experts in your corner. Remember, the banks will have their $300 an hour lawyers on their side. (With you getting stuck for the bill if they're successful!) Let us help.

A few of pieces of advice:

• If you think you may be facing a problem paying your mortgage, take action as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the fewer options you'll have and--frankly--the less equity in your home you'll be able to retain.
• Be realistic. Some people facing foreclosure are "in denial." They say, "It can't happen to me." Or "I know I can get a loan from my [brother, sister, family, co-worker]." Or "I've got other things to worry about right now." As we suggested above, start taking action now. If that loan does come through, great. But don't bet the house on it.
• If you want to avoid foreclosure and remain in your present home, be very careful of solutions anyone offers. It can be done in many cases, but there are also a lot of scams designed to take your home away from you.
• Understand all the papers you're asked to sign. Read them yourself and--if at all possible--get a lawyer to review them. And do this before, not after, you sign them.
• If you live in Maryland (or certain other states), special laws have been passed that apply to buying houses from people facing foreclosure. The Maryland law is SB 761. Frankly, the law has a lot of problems with it and it has limited the ability of investors to help people facing foreclosure. But it does offer people facing foreclosure a lot of protection. Ask a lawyer, a real estate agent, or a foreclosure consultant about SB 761. (There's no similar law in Virginia.)

If you're facing foreclosure, we hope you'll contact us. Fill out the form below or call us toll free at 888/565-8563 24 hours a day! There's no cost or obligation. At the very least, please act sooner, rather than later. And check out our Foreclosure Avoidance Bookstore. Click here for our bookstore.