First and foremost, my philosophy is to help people stay in their homes by guiding them to resources and tools which will help them do so. If I can help you, I hope you'll consider passing my name on and using or referring me in the future.

If you are a homeowner facing financial challenges, you have several options available to you worth considering. It may be in your benefit to work with a U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved counselor. For a list of HUD-approved counselors in California, visit the HUD Web site.

Before considering a short sale or foreclosure, a good place to start is to talk to your lender. You may want to explore the Making Home Affordable website to review your eligibility for loan refinancing, modification or foreclosure alternatives.

Keep in mind that mortgage loan refinancing and modifications are typically voluntary and handled on a case-by-case basis. Homeowners having difficulty meeting their mortgage obligation or who are interested in finding out more about a loan modification program should start by contacting a HUD-approved counselor and their lender. Prior to calling a lender or loan servicer, read through my handy Keep Your Home booklet for some helpful tips and information.