Homeowners who experienced foreclosures were those who didn’t contact their lenders when they first saw the signs of the problem. Lenders have the power to avoid foreclosure if borrowers seek their help as soon as possible. But if you fail to do this, you may need to prepare yourself for the inevitable.

Distressed homeowners can find help in foreclosure workshops organized by Hope Now, an alliance of mortgage counselors and servicers. Here, they can get tips from housing experts participating in the event. These experts can also assist you modify your loans on the spot.

Since March, the organization has helped 11,500 homeowners in 20 workshops held nationwide. The most recent one was held in Florida, where 1,700 homeowners attended despite the bad weather caused by tropical storm Fay.

The next foreclosure workshop will target Palm Beach county residents on September 22 at Old School Square in Delray Beach.