Foreclosure Help and Information
If you fall behind in your monthly mortgage payments, your lender has the right to foreclose on your home. If your home loan goes into foreclosure, you may lose your house and all of the equity in it.
Free Foreclosure Counseling Is Available
Free foreclosure counseling is available via funding from the State of Washington.
Contact the Washington State Homeownership Information Hotline at 1.877.894.HOME (1.877.894.4663) or visit www.homeownership.wa.gov for a list of counselors in your area.
Educate Yourself About Foreclosure
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What To Do If You Are Facing Foreclosure
Steps to take and individuals to contact if you are behind on your monthly mortgage payments and need assistance. -
Possible Alternatives To Foreclosure
Sometimes, a lender may not pursue foreclosure even though your loan payments are behind. Although a lender isn't required to accept any offers or renegotiate the terms of your loan, there may be alternatives to foreclosure. -
Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams
Solutions that sound too simple or too good to be true usually are. -
Foreclosure Resources
Links to helpful resources and information available from DFI and other organizations.
Do Not Ignore Your Lender
Do not ignore letters or phone calls from your lender. If you’re having trouble making your monthly mortgage payments, explain the situation to your lender. Write down who you spoke to, the date, and what was said. Don't wait!
- Contact Information for Lenders and Servicers
- Contact Information for Washington State Banks
- Contact Information for Washington State Credit Unions
Tips For Those Having Trouble Making Their Monthly Mortgage Payments
- Take advantage of free foreclosure counseling. To contact a counselor, call the Washington State Homeownership Information Hotline at 1.877.894.HOME (1.877.894.4663) or visit www.homeownership.wa.gov for a list of counselors in your area.
- If you fall behind on your payments, call or write your mortgage lender immediately. Don't ignore letters from your lender.
- Stay in your home to make sure you qualify for assistance.
- Lenders don't have to accept all proposals and are not obligated to do so. So don’t wait till the last minute to contact your lender.
- Explore every alternative to losing your home.
- Beware of foreclosure rescue scams.
- Don't sign anything you don't understand.
- If the lender refuses to take partial payments, you should put this money aside to help negotiate with the lender later.
- If you're a senior citizen or are disabled and are facing a foreclosure action because of unpaid property taxes or special assessments, you may be eligible to postpone payment of your property taxes or special assessments under two programs in Washington. Contact your local County Assessor’s Office or an attorney for more information.
- Remember that signing over the deed to someone else doesn’t necessarily relieve you of your loan obligation.
- Remember to use registered or certified mail in all your correspondence on legal matters.
Contact Us
If you would like to speak with someone about your current situation, please contact the Washington State Homeownership Information Hotline at 1.877.894.HOME (894.4663) or email homeownership@dfi.wa.gov.
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