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Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit



toolkit Home foreclosures are still on the rise all over the country, especially in Maine. You are not alone.

Here are some tools to help:

  • if you are having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments,
  • if you are already receiving threatening notices from your loan servicer, or
  • even if you are already facing foreclosure

The most important message is: Don't wait! Look for help now! Try to find a legal advocate or qualified housing counselor today. Also, we hope that this information will help you to better understand the complex challenges that you're facing.

Foreclosure News

Aug 19, 2008 ~  Mortgage firm to pay $425,000 to settle charges  Boston Globe
Aug 17, 2008 ~  A sub subprime glossary for the mortgage scandal  International Herald Tribune
Aug 15, 2008 ~  National home foreclosure filings up 55 percent in July  Reuters
Aug 08, 2008 ~  A $2.3 Billion Loss for Fannie Mae  New York Times

News Archive

The Tools

Attention Southern Maine Homeowners! Attend a free workshop in Sanford on July 31st. Get professional advice and go home with an action plan. More details here
new Foreclosure Rescue Scams: Just Say No!
You are the most vulnerable to predators when you are behind in your payments or are facing foreclosure. They know that you are feeling desperate. Read more...

Don't Borrow Trouble!
Watch out! Learn the the signs of predatory lending so that you avoid bad deals in the future.

Can I Save My Home from Foreclosure?
Here are some basic tools to help you strategize: Do I want to propose a "workout" plan? What kind of plan? Where can I get help? What can I do to help my legal advocate help me? Includes sample letters to your broker and loan servicer.

Home Foreclosures in Maine
This explains the steps in the foreclosure process and what you can do to respond. Includes a sample answer to a court complaint and sample basic discovery request.

Don't Leave Money on the Table
Use this checklist to find out if you are getting all of the tax credits and other benefits you could be getting. This could help your overall financial picture.

Bankruptcy: Is It the Right Choice for You?
If you have a steady stream of income, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy might be a good legal tool to help you save your home.

Payment Plan Guide .pdf file
Overwhelemd with bills? Here's a guide for deciding which bills to pay first, especially if you are considering bankruptcy.


Quick links

More information

MASH Resources (for lawyers)


Special thanks to the Office of the Maine Attorney General
and the Maine Bar Foundation for funding this outreach project

September 2007; updated June 2008


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