No 1. FIGHT... FIGHT... FIGHT ..you must fight if you want to retain your home, you MUST believe that you can succeed. This is the picture you must have every day you get out of bed, if you bury your head in the sand you will suffocate.

REMEMBER

Misery is almost always the result of thinking

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No 2. Avoid any and all Foreclosure specialists or companies trying to charge you for advice. They are bloodsuckers praying on people who are in difficulty. Except for your attorney, I suppose you must use them in this process, but again learn what is happening so you can understand the steps.

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No 3.Seek advice as quickly as you can and learn about the process that is taking place. There are a number of good sources of advice that are free, see the links on this page.

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No 4. Get a grip of your finances, it is two columns, money in and money out, it is not rocket science, take 2 big sheets of paper and write it down - see what to cut to save your house.

Your house is more important than your car loan, or your credit card debt or your student loan or any other loan. In the longer term your credit rating will recover. Eat, stay warm and then Pay your house, forget everything else until you can resume paying all your other stuff. You can re-negotiate with other lenders of small stuff too !!

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No 5. Talk to your lender - this is crucial and is one of the first things you need to do provided you understand what is happening and have a grip on your finances. It helps to do this in writing, by letter or email then you can consider your words carefully and their impact, plus you have a record. Do not let anyone charge you money to do this for you, if you cannot compose a sensible letter ask a friend or teacher or family member to help you.

The lender is not your enemy, they WANT you to keep your house, you can work with them provided you talk to them. You MUST stay in contact with your lender.

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No 6. Be Smart but Sensible - there are always options, if your loan could be described as predatory you can get help, you can negotiate a moratorium with your lender, you can reduce your interest rate, you can re-negotioate the entire mortgage. Perhaps you can rent your home, or sell it. Could you downsize for a few years. Could you rent small for a few years. It is best to use an attorney if you re-negotiate to make sure there are no nasty clauses anywhere.

It is all up to you, only you can act where you are....

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No 7. When the Horse is Dead you have to get off it - if you have had enough and there is no particular reason for you to keep this particular house then plan your exit. Use the above delaying tactics to accumulate some money, gradually move any valuable stuff out. This / Life is a battle, with a plan you take control, you dictate when you go, AND most importantly - how much cash you have put together to enable you to leave and live with dignity.

REMEMBER

if you do not know where you are going any road will do

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