When you get behind on your home mortgage payment, it can be a scary proposition. The chances are good that if you're like most folks in that situation, your house payments aren't the only financial obligations you're behind on. You're being stressed, emotionally and financially, and your home life may be suffering as a result.

If you're in that situation, it's important that you do the one thing that 2/3 of Americans DON'T do--reach out, talk to your lender, and work out an alternative plan. It's an amazing statistic, but a recent survey by Freddie Mac and Roper Public Affairs and Media has showed that more than half of all borrowers faced with foreclosure of their homes never talk to their lender at all during the process.

On the other hand,