Prevention is the most powerful tool you have. You don't have to face foreclosure, liens, or financial crisis if you take action early. Most homeowners who end up in crisis had warning signs 2–3 years beforehand.
Your goal: Stay current on mortgage payments, property taxes, and HOA (Homeowners Association) dues. Monitor your home's equity. Build financial reserves. Get ahead of problems before they spiral.
Red Flag #1: Missing Payments (30+ days late) — Contact your lender immediately. Don't wait for legal notices. Request a payment plan or loan modification.
Red Flag #2: Property Value Dropped — Get a free CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) from a licensed REALTOR®. With an experienced agent, a CMA is just as accurate as a paid appraisal for understanding your equity position — and it costs nothing. If underwater, refinance or restructure before circumstances worsen. A formal appraisal ($400–$600) is only necessary if a lender or court specifically requires one.
Red Flag #3: Rising Debt & Shrinking Reserves — If credit cards are maxed and savings are depleted, address the root cause now. Emergency borrowing is a temporary fix.
Red Flag #4: Job Loss or Income Change — Contact your lender BEFORE missing payments. Many lenders offer forbearance programs for temporary hardship. Request hardship assistance early.
Red Flag #5: Tax or HOA Notices — These are non-negotiable. Respond immediately. Even small back HOA fees can trigger foreclosure. Unpaid property taxes create liens within weeks.
5 Years Before Crisis: Establish emergency fund. Monitor property value. Review mortgage annually. Consider refinancing if rates drop.
3 Years Before: Confirm property taxes are current. Check HOA account status. Build financial reserves to 6+ months of expenses.
1 Year Before: Update home insurance. Meet with an attorney about your legal protections. Confirm your loan type (judicial vs. non-judicial).
First Sign of Trouble: Contact your lender immediately. Request hardship assistance. Consult Volunteer Legal Services Hawai'i (808-528-7046) or the Hawai'i State Bar referral line (808-537-9140) for housing legal help — many attorneys offer a free first consultation. Legal Aid (808-536-4302) — Elder Law Services for seniors 60+ only: Advance Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney, and Simple Wills. They do not handle housing matters. Do not ignore notices.
After 30 Days Late: Your situation changes dramatically. Act within days, not weeks. Foreclosure can be filed. Mediation windows close. Options shrink rapidly.
Monthly Habits: Review mortgage statements. Confirm payments processed. Check email for lender communications. Monitor credit report monthly for errors.
Quarterly Review: Check property tax account status. Verify HOA dues are current. Review insurance coverage. Test your emergency fund adequacy.
Annual Deep Dive: Get a free CMA from a licensed REALTOR® — know your equity without the cost of a formal appraisal. Review mortgage interest rate vs. market rates. Meet with tax professional about property tax exemptions. Consult attorney if major changes in your situation.
Annual Communication: Call your lender's loss mitigation department. Tell them you're current and you want to stay that way. Ask about any proactive programs. Understand your modification options before you need them.
- 1Know your home's current value — THIS MONTH. A free CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) from a licensed REALTOR® gives you the same critical equity picture as a paid appraisal, at no cost. With an experienced agent, a CMA is typically just as accurate. Understanding your equity is the foundation of every prevention decision. Barbara Coote provides free CMAs for Hawai'i homeowners — call 808-781-6951 or visit hawaiihomeadvocates.com. A formal appraisal ($400–$600) is only needed if a lender or court requires one.
- 2Request a full statement from your lender. Know your exact mortgage balance, interest rate, remaining term, and any second mortgages. This is your baseline.
- 3Check property tax account status immediately. Contact the county treasurer. Confirm taxes are current. Request notification for any future delinquencies.
- 4Verify HOA account status if applicable. Request a current account statement. Confirm dues are paid. Some HOAs have secret liens. Get proof everything is current.
- 5Meet with a Hawai'i attorney BEFORE you're in trouble. Many offer free initial consultations. Understand your protections, rights, and loan structure. Know whether you're at foreclosure risk.
- 6Build an emergency fund to 6–12 months of expenses. This is your best insurance against job loss, medical emergency, or income interruption. Start now, even if small amounts.
- 7Refinance now if rates are favorable. Lock in a lower rate while you're current on payments. Refinancing becomes impossible once you miss payments.
- !Do not ignore any notices from the lender, county, or HOA. A "final notice" becomes a filing notice becomes a foreclosure within days. Respond immediately to all official correspondence.
- 8Contact Barbara for a free prevention review. 808-781-6951. I can help you understand your home's value, discuss options before crisis hits, and connect you with trusted professionals.
Prevention Resources
About free legal help in Hawai'i: Truly free legal representation for housing matters is very limited. Most free resources provide legal information or referrals — not an attorney who will represent you. The Hawai'i State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (808-537-9140) is the most reliable path to a licensed attorney; many offer a free first consultation. Be clear on what each resource offers before counting on it.
Legal Navigator Hawai'i — Start Here
Free online self-help platform built by Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i. Use it to understand your legal situation, get a guided action plan, access court forms, and find the right organizations for your specific problem. Provides legal information, not legal advice or representation.
legalnavigatorhawaii.orgHawai'i HomeOwnership Center (HHOC)
HUD-approved nonprofit — free homeownership counseling and financial education for preventing foreclosure before it starts.
808-523-9500 · hihomeownership.orgLegal Aid Society of Hawai'i
Elder Law Services — for seniors age 60+ only. Legal Aid's Elder Law Services program offers free advance planning documents for qualifying residents age 60 and over: Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD), Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions, and Simple Wills. This program does not cover housing, foreclosure, benefits, or other legal matters. For housing and foreclosure legal help, use Volunteer Legal Services Hawai'i or the Hawai'i State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (see below).
808-536-4302 (O'ahu) · 1-800-499-4302 (Neighbor Islands) · legalaidhawaii.orgVolunteer Legal Services Hawai'i
Free civil legal help for qualifying low-income O'ahu residents — covers housing, landlord-tenant, bankruptcy, estate planning, and veterans benefits. Apply online or call for intake.
808-528-7046 (O'ahu) · 1-800-839-5200 (Neighbor Islands) · vlsh.orgHawai'i State Bar — Lawyer Referral Service
Get matched with a licensed Hawai'i attorney in your area of need. Many attorneys offer a free or reduced-fee first consultation. Available Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
808-537-9140 · hawaiilawyerreferral.comCounty Property Tax Office
Verify your property tax status and discuss payment plans or deferral options. Avoid liens before they start.
Call your county treasurer's office
DCCA — Mortgage Foreclosure Dispute Resolution (MFDR)
If you receive a Notice of Default, you have 30 days to elect free state mediation with your lender. This window closes fast — know about it before you need it.
808-586-2886 · cca.hawaii.gov/hficAloha United Way 211
Hawai'i's statewide helpline — free, confidential, 7am–10pm daily. Connects you to 4,000+ programs for financial assistance, kūpuna care, debt counseling, and crisis support on every island.
Dial 211 · auw211.orgHUD Housing Counselor Finder
Free HUD-approved counseling statewide — especially useful for Maui, Big Island, and Kaua'i homeowners. No FHA mortgage required. No fee, ever.
1-800-569-4287 · hud.gov/findacounselor💰 Grants & Financial Assistance Programs
View 25+ programs to help with mortgage payments, property taxes, and emergency housing needs.
Browse All Programs →Prevention Works — Start Now
The best time to prevent a crisis is before it emerges. Barbara can help you understand your home's value, discuss early protection strategies, and connect you with the right professionals — free conversation, no pressure, no obligation.
Contact Barbara →"Understanding Makes All the Difference."™
Barbara Coote is a licensed Hawai'i REALTOR® and investor. Hawai'i Home Advocates provides free homeowner education — not legal or financial advice. No compensation is received for referrals.