Are your credit cards tired, overworked and underpaid? Do you suffer from extreme mailbox avoidance syndrome? Indeed, it sounds like a typical case of holiday hangover! It’s a common malady associated with the reality of “shop ‘til you drop” overspending resulting from hard-to-resist holiday generosity. Problem is, many look for temporary relief by delaying the largest bill they have; their mortgage payment. Because it’s normally the biggest, it’s also the hardest to catch up. It’s important to be forthcoming with your lender when situations get out-of-hand. While collectors are normally overly-aggressive (many get paid for each payment they collect), keep in mind that the lender wants to be sure you do not default. Tell the Collector you want to speak to Loss Mitigation Department. They assist borrowers in restructuring debt which helps reduce default rates thereby keeping their losses to a minimum. Working with them early on insures the largest menu of options is available. Choices could include a rate reduction which actually reduces your interest rate for the remainder of the mortgage, recasting the payments by re-computing payments to include any delinquency, extending the term of the loan allowing delinquent payments to be paid at the end, converting the type loan in order to reduce payments or allowing a one time assumption of an otherwise non-assumable loan. Your willingness to cooperate coupled with your individual circumstance will largely dictate your choices. If the situation seems hopeless, options such as a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, a pre-foreclosure sale or a short-sale could be explored. A deed-in-lieu allows your interest in the property to revert to the lender. The property can be sold avoiding an expensive, time-consuming foreclosure proceeding. You may even be able to stay in the home if you list the property as part of a pre-foreclosure sale. When you owe more than the property is worth, the lender may actually forgive part of the debt allowing a “short”-sale to proceed. Remember, any debt forgiven on other than a principal residence, whether in a short-sale or foreclosure may be reported to the IRS as income. Also, keep in mind that a recently passed Hawaii law severely limits assistance REALTORS® are able to provide with distressed properties. The above is simply general information and may not apply to your situation. But, by all means, if you find yourself suffering from a Holiday Hangover, take two aspirin and call the Lender in the morning. It may be just what the Mortgage Doctor ordered!