4 of 16

Get mortgage counseling

In 2010, 2.9 million U.S. homeowners received foreclosure notices, a record that could be broken in 2011.

If you're behind on your mortgage payments, there's free help available in the form of mortgage counselors approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), says Craig E. Pollack, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, who studies foreclosures and health.

"They're really committed to helping people save their homes when possible, and reach the best resolution possible," Dr. Pollack says. Here's a state-by-state list of HUD-approved counselors.

Next: Accept your situation—for now