If you are reading this, you are probably behind on your monthly mortgage payments and want to know how to avoid foreclosure. The only true way to avoid foreclosure is to pay your mortgage lender.

However, if you are having problems paying your monthly mortgage payment and are concerned about avoiding foreclosure, then you need to do the following things:

(1st) First, do not ignore the problem and figure it will go away. It won't, unless you catch up and stay current with your monthly mortgage payments. The further you get behind, the bigger the problem will become, and the more likely that you will face foreclosure.

(2nd) Second, call or write your mortgage lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem in making your payments. Lenders are not in the real estate business and do not want your home. But they do want their loans paid, so most mortgage lenders will try to work with you. However, you need to understand that while most mortgage lenders will work with you, they are not
required to. And some won't.

(3rd) Third, be sure to open and respond to all mail from your mortgage lender. The initial letters will be demand letters wherein your mortgage lender is demanding payment. These letters will sometimes contain the contact information for someone at your mortgage lender's office who may be able to help you . Your not responding to or contacting your mortgage lender will only
cause your file to be moved more quickly to the legal department for foreclosure.

(4th) Fourth, learn your legal rights. You may want to get out a copy of your mortgage or deed of trust and read it. There is a lot of legal ease that is difficult to understand and you may want to contact a lawyer licensed in your state to determine your legal rights. One point here is to contact several lawyers because their consultation fees will vary.

(5th) Fifth, learn what are your options. The only way of avoiding foreclosure is to pay your mortgage lender. However, you may have options on how to pay your lender.

(6th) Finally, if you are served with legal documents, go to a lawyer immediately. There are two points here. One, legal service may be made by mail or by anyone handing you the documents. Do not think that you have not been served legally because you were not served by a constable or a sheriff's deputy. Two, there are important time deadlines and you do not want to miss them by talking to a lawyer after the deadline or not giving your lawyer time to meet the deadline.

In summary, if you think that you may be facing foreclosure, you probably are. So take action and avoid foreclosure.