No homeowner wants to find themselves in this predicament. Unfortunately, there are more than 1.2 million American mortgages at risk of foreclosure, which equates to 43% of the 2.8 million American homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments. Given all the recent events, these numbers could increase. The reality is being behind on mortgage payments is not uncommon. Therefore, if you find yourself in this situation, choose to be proactive rather than reactive.
Before panicking or feeling overwhelmed, assess the extent of your circumstances. Why are you behind on mortgage payments? Is it a quick fix, something you can solve and get back on track in a month or two? Is this your first missed mortgage payment, and do you have a concrete plan to fix it?
If you realize your situation isn’t as dire as you thought it was, perhaps wait to repay the shortfall next month. If, however, you discover that your new circumstances could last for longer than two months, begin making alternative arrangements to avoid falling into further arrears.
