Lady, are you serious? "Whom should you call, then, if you're hoping you qualify for a modification of your mortgage? The company that services your loan -- that's the firm asking for your payments every month. Or the state's HOPE hot line..." Are you just making things up and spouting them off? Have you ever tried to call the lender and have them help you? I have and so has everyone i know...not one has gotten anywhere! other than 8 mnths of run around and the HOPE line...thats a joke. Do everyone a favor and dont give out false hope and lousy advice.

Alas, Jeff, I wish there were a number for people to call for guaranteed help, but there isn't. (Guaranteeing success, in fact, is one of the scam red flags.)

Some people have had success dealing directly with their servicers, but it's usually a long, hard and very frustrating process. That's why homeowners are turning to housing counselors for help navigating through the process. Groups like St. Housing Housing Aid Center in Baltimore report that it's a long, hard and very frustrating process for them, too, but having a good counselor on your side can make a difference. I've been writing about the foreclosure mess since it began, so I've heard it from a lot of folks.

Best of luck to you.

You won't get a loan mod if current on the mortgage. Ask to speak to the loss mitigation department. Also you must be employed to qualify and still provide income docs. Go on Fannie and Freddie website to see if you are eligible for their loan mod program. If your loan is not owned by either, then it's the servicers discretion to approve or deny. Also, millions of people are doing this on their own. There is no need for a third party unless you are going to file a bankruptcy. A bankruptcy filing will compel the lender to cooperate and often times the second lien is wiped clean if underwater.

Good advice Frank. The loan modification process is a very very long one. I have seen them take over a year and six months is probably on the low end of the average time frame. You must be patient on one hand but persistent on the other. This is definitely a case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease. You must get them what they ask for as soon as possible. You should fax things to them multiple times as things have a way of getting lost. Print your loan number on the top of each page as well. Hang in there also!

Frank and Chipr are absolutely correct! You don't need a third party as 95% of them are loan officers who can no longer make it in the business for one reason or another and are looking for a quick buck. All you need to be is very very persistent. Hang in there and keep sending them what they ask for and stay on them. They are lots and lots of gov't or free services to help those in need of modification or short sale help. It will not be easy and anyone who says that it is quick or easy is someone to be wary of.