How Sarah Stopped Foreclosure Without a Lawyer, And Why She Nearly Sold Her Home First

Her Financial Crisis

Sarah Thompson, a single mom and elementary school teacher in Dayton, Ohio, never imagined she’d face foreclosure. But after a sudden medical emergency derailed her finances, she fell behind on her mortgage.

“I was juggling bills, trying to stay afloat, and then the letter came, a ‘Notice of Default,’” she recalls. “It was terrifying. I didn’t know what would happen next or how much time I had.”

Sarah did what many homeowners do: she turned to Google. She searched for information. On how to stop foreclosure, what happens after the foreclosure process in Ohio, and even how to sell your home before foreclosure, but what she found was overwhelming, contradictory advice, confusing legal terms, and no clear answers.

If you've just received a notice, too, here's what to do after a foreclosure notice arrives in your mailbox.

Her Turning Point

Sarah called her loan servicer and was told about loan modification and forbearance, but nothing sounded simple or guaranteed. And no one could give her a straight answer about how much time she had or whether selling her home before foreclosure would help protect her credit.

“I didn’t know what I was eligible for or if I even needed an attorney,” she said. “One article said I had 30 days. Another said 120. I was completely lost.”

Eventually, in a housing Facebook group, someone mentioned a tool called Foreclosure Advisor. This AI-powered assistant could break down her options based on her state, loan type, and financial situation.

Using Foreclosure Advisor to Get Answers

Sarah gave it a try.

“It was the first thing that didn’t make me feel stupid or scared,” she says. “It told me what I needed to do and in what order.”

Foreclosure Advisor asked her:

• What state she was in (Ohio)

• How far behind she was on her mortgage

• Whether she'd experienced a financial hardship

• If she had equity in her home

Then it gave her:

• A timeline of how foreclosure works in Ohio

• A personalized checklist of documents to prepare

• Guidance on how to write a hardship letter

• A comparison of her options, including selling her home before foreclosure

Want to see your options? Try Foreclosure Advisor now, no account, no pitch, just help.

Her Chosen Path: Loan Modification Over Selling

Sarah discovered she had enough time to apply for a loan modification. While she briefly considered selling her home before foreclosure, the tool showed her that she qualified for a payment restructure instead.

She followed the plan:

• Wrote a hardship letter using the Advisor’s template

• Collected all required documents ahead of time

• Submitted a complete loan modification packet within two weeks

• Avoided having her home listed for the sheriff’s sale

“I didn’t end up needing to sell my house, but it was empowering to know that option existed, and how to do it the right way if I needed to.”

Are you unsure if selling makes more sense for your situation? Here’s how to sell your home before foreclosure, and when it might be the smarter move.

Her Advice to Other Homeowners

“Don’t wait,” Sarah says. “Act early. Even if you think it’s too late, it’s probably not.”

She learned that:

• Loan modifications are often still available even after a default notice has been issued.

• A well-written hardship letter can make a significant difference.

• Selling your home before foreclosure is a real option, especially if you have equity.

• You can stop foreclosure without hiring an attorney, as long as you have a clear roadmap.

Final Takeaway: You Have More Options Than You Think

Sarah’s story isn’t unique. Thousands of homeowners every year find themselves on the brink of foreclosure, overwhelmed, confused, and unsure where to turn.

Whether you’re exploring loan modification, forbearance, or selling your home before foreclosure, the most important thing is to act quickly and strategically.

Foreclosure Advisor was built for this exact moment. It shows you what’s possible, in your state, with your loan, and your financial situation, so you can take control before it’s too late.

Ready to explore your options, including selling your home before foreclosure?
Try Foreclosure Advisor now, free, fast, and judgment-free.