GET HELP NOW
by ABC2 News Investigator Tisha Thompson

With more and more homes going into foreclosure everyday, ABC2 News has compiled a list of resources for homeowners who think they may be in trouble. Consumer advocates say all lawyers and banks can seize your home if you’ve only missed one payment – and now some attorneys say they are seeing foreclosure cases on homes whose owners haven’t paid their utility bills or their homeowner association fees.

Don’t wait and hope the problem goes away. “Don’t put your head in the sand and do nothing,” says Phillip Robinson of Civil Justice Network, a legal-aid group in Baltimore trying to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. “If you do nothing, you will lose your home.”

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there are several steps you should take if you think you may be in trouble:

1. Contact your lender NOW!

2. Talk to a Housing Counseling Agency or Get Help from the State

3. Prioritize Your Debts

4. Explore Loan Workout Solutions

5. Find Out if you are Eligible for Disaster Relief/Military Options

6. Avoid Predatory Lending Schemes & Foreclosure Rescue Scams

7. Try Other Resources
Legal Aid Bureau
Maryland State Bar Association

You can also learn more about eviction and other homeowners’ rights from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.