Trying to save my home - Advice Needed!

[2ndMom]

What is the name of your state? California

We are behind on our mortgage because of a number of reasons - mainly, lack of income for many years. Somehow we've managed to walk the line between foreclosure and being on track with our payments. We get behind, then work like crazy to catch up .. or my father helps us out. Then a few months pass and it happens again.

Let me go back in time just a bit: When we bought this home (our 1st), both of us were working and making good money. 5 months after we moved in, my company downsized and I was let go. We've been in this home since December of 2001. I lost my job in May of 2002 and I haven't worked steady ever since. I've, somehow, managed to keep us afloat but it's been close and we've been served notices many times over the years that if we don't pay up, we're going to go into foreclosure. I think it actually has registered as "foreclosure" on our records/credit but it never happened because we would come up with a lump chunk of money and get ourselves caught back up.

The loan we are in is one of those horrible A.R.M.'s with a $10,000 prepay if we get out before this November 1st, 2008. (it was a 2 year).

So again, we are behind 3 months now. I just got a job! Which is awesome news for me and while it's not the kind of money I use to make, it's money nonetheless. At the moment, I'm only getting part time hours but they do plan on making me full time within the next month.

I need advice on how we can save our home or at least words of encouragement that it is possible. I feel like the mortgage company doesn't want to even try and work with us. Are there any things I should say or request when I call them to get some sort of help in our situation? I do not want to lose this house. I'm not tied to the house so much as I am the fact that I have a son who only has 1 1/2 years left of school here and this is his security.. living here in this home in this neighborhood. We also have pets and I know it would be so hard to find a place to rent that would allow us to bring them with us. This all may seem so silly and petty but they are things that are a concern if we lose this house.

Our loan is with Countrywide, if that means anything to anyone.

Is there something I should NOT get myself into with them (as in, if they offer something that really isn't a good deal)? I am so weary of mortgage people because the last guy we dealth with - that we trusted completely - is the one who screwed us over and got us into the loan we are in now with promises and then left us high and dry when we needed his help.

Sorry to long .. I'm probably asking for a butt kicking for us being in this situation but I'll take it if it comes along with some solid advice other than "sell your home" because honestly, that would be useless. No one is buying anything in our neighborhood right now. We have other homes for sale on our street that have been sitting for years. If we put our house up for sale, we would basically just lose it anyhow.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[seniorjudge]

Many lenders are now allowing borrowers to modify (NOT refinance) their mortgages since lenders rarely make any money off foreclosures.

Talk with your lender.