For the first time in two months home foreclosures are on the decline across the country, but they're still up dramatically from previous years. 

Still, local banks, lenders and the government are helping more people stay in their homes. Jon Wilson has some advice on how to avoid falling into foreclosure. 

Falling into foreclosure can happen to anybody at anytime. Darren Lee is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist with First Bank & Trust in Sioux Falls. "One thing is life happens. There are medical issues you know, things that happen that cause good people not to be able to make their payments." 

What many homeowners don't know is that you can miss one or two mortgage payments and still avoid foreclosure. Lee says, "The most important thing they can do is be informed and contact your lender and say I need help." 

Don't avoid the issue, because it won't go away. But, even if you lose your home on the auction block, the owner can still buy it back. Lee says” that means they have six months after that point to pay it off and keep their home so there's still time after it's been sold on the courthouse steps." 

Again, look to your lender for help. Lee says "They have funds available now where I'll lend it to you to bring you current then you can pay that back over an extended period of time." 

Even the government can help you refinance your existing mortgage. Lee says, "It allows people who have been late on their payments to refinance it into an FHA Guarantee Mortgage." 

Guide To Avoiding Foreclosure