FORECLOSURE PREVENTION
Information and Resources for Homeowners Behind on Mortgage Payments, in Default, or Foreclosure
If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments or have already fallen behind and are in default or foreclosure it is important that you act quickly to communicate your situation clearly to your lender or reach out for the help you need.
CONTACT A REPUTABLE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELOR
The most effective and potentially beneficial contact you should make immediately when you find yourself unable to make payment on your mortgage would be to a qualified foreclosure counselor. A counselor will help lead you through what can be a very complicated and overwhelming process and identify all available resources. This service is available at NO cost to you from highly trained counselors across the state.
The Montana Department of Commerce Housing Division, which includes the Montana Board of Housing (MBOH) has received a $401,000 grant from NeighborWorks America to support Montana's foreclosure prevention counseling efforts. This enables the MBOH to provide more “face to face” foreclosure counseling via the well-trained local foreclosure counselors in the NeighborWorks Montana network. NeighborWorks Montana is a nonprofit network of local and state organizations that provides free certified foreclosure prevention counseling across the state. Learn more about foreclosure counselors in your area and other resources by calling
In addition to Neighborworks Montana other HUD approved counselors are also available to help provide you foreclosure prevention counseling. Link to: Montana HUD approved housing counseling agencies
CONTACT YOUR LENDER OR LOAN SERVICER
It is crucial that you contact your lender or loan servicer as soon as you realize that you are unable to make a payment. This is a crucial first step in addressing your situation and identifying possible solutions to your difficulties, including modifying the terms of your mortgage to reduce your interest rate and monthly payment, repayment plans, postponement of regular payments (forbearance) or other options. Provide any information requested by your lender or servicer quickly and keep records and copies of everything. It is very important that you respond to mail and phone calls from your lender. If your lender does not hear from you, they are more likely to start legal action leading to foreclosure.
Visit http://makinghomeaffordable.gov which provides a valuable list of resources available to homeowners.
CALL THE HOMEOWNER'S HOPE HOTLINE
Homeowners seeking counseling or advice can also call the HOPE NOW toll-free at 1-888-995-HOPE (1-888-995-4673) or at www.995hope.org. HOPE NOW is an alliance of HUD approved counseling agents, servicers, investors and mortgage lenders that provides free foreclosure prevention assistance.
SEEK LEGAL ASSISTANCE
If legal proceedings have already started, you should immediately seek the advice of competent legal counsel. The State Bar of Montana provides an Lawyer Referral Service. The Lawyer Referral Service is a free, non-profit, public service of the State Bar of Montana. Its hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the phone number is
AVOID HOME EQUITY THEFT & FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS
Be aware that if you have fallen behind on your mortgage payments, or your home is in foreclosure or default, you and your home may become targets for certain type of scams known as "home equity theft" or "foreclosure rescue fraud." Perpetrators of these scams claim they can solve your debt problems and stop you from losing your home. Some of these scams offer to temporarily hold onto the house while you catch up on your payments. They then use deceptive tactics to obtain ownership of your home for a fraction of its market value, and leave you homeless yet still the holder of the mortgage that is still in foreclosure. Other scams falsely claim that they can stop a foreclosure or tax sale, charge substantial upfront fees and fail to deliver the promised results. Remember that you don't need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help. It's often better to apply that money to your mortgage payments. Also, many not-for-profit housing counselors will help you negotiate with your lender for free. Foreclosure Rescue Scams - Facts for Consumers
CONTACT THE BANKING DIVISION
If you still have questions about where to turn for assistance or don't know who to call first, call the Division of Banking and Financial Institutions at