Nearly three out of every five delinquent borrowers don't know they may be able to revise their mortgages and keep their homes or that free counseling exists to help them.

A quarter of the homeowners who were at least three months behind on their payments told a recent survey sponsored by Freddie Mac, the government-chartered company that buys or insures home loans, said they hadn't even contacted their lender.

That's the biggest mistake we see distressed homeowners make.

Saving your home from foreclosure won't be easy.

But it can be done -- and you've got to try.

Every lender has a loss mitigation department that does nothing but work with borrowers in trouble.

Reputable credit counselors and attorneys, state and national foreclosure prevention programs, can be smart, supportive allies.

There are no fewer than five places you can turn to for help. Click here to learn more about them and how to avoid foreclosure.