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I can’t make my mortgage payments. How long will it take before I’ll face foreclosure?

The legal foreclosure process generally can’t start during the first 120 days after you’re behind on your mortgage. After that, once your servicer begins the legal process, the amount of time you have until an actual foreclosure sale varies by state.

If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, act quickly. Contact your mortgage servicer to find out if there are options for you to avoid foreclosure. Respond to your servicer if they try and contact you.

You should also contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to get free, expert assistance on avoiding foreclosure. Many mortgage servicers offer programs to help people avoid foreclosure. These programs are called “loss mitigation” programs. The loss mitigation process can be difficult. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency can guide you through the process. You can call the CFPB at (855) 411-CFPB (2372) to be connected to a HUD-approved housing counseling agency in your area or you can search online for one near you.

Read this checklist on avoiding foreclosure .