PRE-FORECLOSURE RESOURCE · TN & KY

Behind on your mortgage?
You're not out of options — and you're not alone.

A private, no-judgment look at where you actually stand — from a Marine and Army veteran Realtor who treats your situation with dignity, not desperation.

IF YOU'RE SKIMMING, READ THIS FIRST

This isn't the end of the road. It's a fork in it.

If you've been losing sleep over your mortgage, avoiding calls from the bank, or wondering how you'll make it through another month — take a breath. You found the right page.

I'm Lola Animashaun, a Marine Corps veteran, retired Army, and licensed Realtor in Tennessee and Kentucky. I work with homeowners who are behind on their mortgage, facing foreclosure, or navigating financial hardship — including military families whose circumstances changed without warning.

There are real options, and the earlier we look at them together, the more control you'll have over what happens next. Below: situations I help with, a clear decision path, six paths most clients explore, military protections, and a free guide you can download right now.

"You may have a scheduled auction date approaching."
If your lender has set a sale date on your home — there's still time, but the clock is real. The earlier we talk, the more options stay on the table. Even after a sale date, bankruptcy can temporarily stop the auction, and a short sale can postpone it. Don't wait.
Lola Animashaun
WHY PEOPLE COME TO ME
"Most agents don't know how to handle this conversation."

They either shy away from pre-foreclosure entirely, or push for a quick listing without understanding the full picture. That's not how I work.

When you reach out, we have a private, no-judgment conversation about where you actually stand. No lectures. No shame. Just a clear look at your options.

— Lola Animashaun, Realtor & Veteran

If any of this sounds like your situation —
or a family member's — keep reading.

Behind on mortgage payments30, 60, 90+ days late and not sure what comes next
Notice of Default receivedYour lender has officially started the process
Foreclosure sale date scheduledThere's still time, but the clock is real
Military hardshipDeployment, PCS orders, medical separation, or spouse job changes
Life eventsDivorce, job loss, illness, death in the family, unexpected expenses
Underwater on your homeYou owe more than the home is worth
Inherited property you can't affordYou've taken on a home that doesn't fit your life

Start with one question.
The answer changes everything.

Every situation is different — but most clients reach a fork at the same place. The first thing to figure out: do you want to keep the home, or are you ready for a fresh start?

FIRST QUESTION

Do you want to keep your home?

YES — I WANT TO KEEP IT

The next question is about income.

If staying in the home is the goal, your lender is going to want to see that you can afford the monthly payment going forward. That's the gatekeeper.

Do you have a steady income?

If yes — 3 paths are on the table:

  • Loan Modification — your lender restructures the loan so you can afford it.
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy — a court-supervised repayment plan over 3–5 years.
  • Reinstatement / Refinance — pay the past-due balance in one lump sum.

If no income right now — 2 paths remain:

  • Reinstatement / Refinance — only if you have access to lump-sum funds.
  • Other — there may still be hardship programs, family help, or rental conversions worth exploring.
NO — I'M READY FOR A FRESH START

You have 3 paths from here.

If keeping the home isn't the goal, the question becomes how to exit with the least damage to your credit, your timeline, and your next chapter.

  • Go to foreclosure — the lender takes back the home. Worst impact on credit. Usually the last resort.
  • Deed in Lieu — you hand the title back to the lender by agreement. Faster than foreclosure but reports similarly on credit.
  • Sell your property — an Equity Sale if you owe less than the home is worth, or a Short Sale if you owe more.

Of the three, selling is almost always the best option if there's any chance of equity or a short sale approval. It's better for your credit, better for your timeline, and you may even qualify for up to $3,000 in relocation assistance.

Want the full overview? Take the guide with you.

Six real options.
Here's what each actually means.

Every situation is different, but these are the paths most of my clients explore — and the trade-offs that come with each.

There are protections and programs
the general public doesn't know about.

If you're active duty, a veteran, or a military spouse facing hardship — you have options most civilian-focused agents have never heard of, let alone know how to navigate.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Foreclosure protections during and after active duty — including required court oversight before a lender can move forward.
VA loan-specific hardship options VA-backed loans have modification and refinance programs many borrowers don't realize they qualify for.
VA Purchase & Cash-Out programs For veterans with equity, there are paths that don't require a hardship sale at all.
Military-specific housing counselors Counselors who actually understand PCS timing, deployment income, BAH changes, and base-to-base transitions.

As a veteran myself, I'll walk you through every resource available — and I'll be honest about which ones actually apply to your situation.

Ideas to Avoid Foreclosure — Free Guide by Lola Animashaun, LPT Realty

Read it on your own time.
No pressure.

I put together a free guide that walks through every option in plain English — what each one means, when it's the right fit, and what to watch out for. It's the same overview I give clients in our first conversation.

  • What each option actually does to your credit
  • Why refinancing rarely works once you're behind
  • How bankruptcy can stop a scheduled auction
  • The difference between Equity Sale and Short Sale
  • A "Secret Tip" most homeowners never hear about
"

I've been through hard transitions. I've served in high-pressure environments where the right decision under stress is the difference between a good outcome and a bad one.

That's the mindset I bring to every client in distress situations — clear-eyed, calm, and focused on what actually moves you forward. You have more time than you think. But the sooner we talk, the more options you'll have.

— LOLA · LISTEN · COMMIT · DELIVER

Let's talk —
honestly, privately, and only as long as you want to.

A private conversation costs you nothing — and could change everything. Pick a time that works, or reach me directly. No pressure. No judgment. Ever.

— OR REACH OUT DIRECTLY —

Every conversation is confidential. I won't share your information with anyone — ever.

Questions before you reach out

Quick answers to what most people ask first.

I'm behind on my mortgage. Is it too late to do anything?
Almost never. Even after a Notice of Default has been filed — and in many cases even after a sale date has been scheduled — there are still options. The earlier you reach out, the more options you'll have, but late is better than never. A private, no-judgment conversation costs you nothing.
Will talking to a Realtor put me on a foreclosure list or trigger anything with my lender?
No. Talking to me is completely private. I do not contact your lender, your employer, or anyone else. I'm not on the bank's side — I'm on yours. Our conversation is confidential, and you decide what happens next.
What if I owe more on my house than it's worth?
That's called being underwater, and it's more common than people realize. A Short Sale — where the lender agrees to accept less than what you owe — is often a path forward. It's far better for your credit than a foreclosure or Deed in Lieu, and I've walked clients through the process before. You may also qualify for up to $3,000 in relocation assistance at closing.
Should I pay someone to help me with a loan modification?
No. Beware of foreclosure scams. You should never have to pay someone upfront to help you with a loan modification. You can work directly with your mortgage company for free, or work with a HUD-approved housing counselor at no cost (1-800-569-4287). Any company asking for upfront fees is a red flag.
I'm active duty / a veteran. Are there protections for me?
Yes. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides foreclosure protections during and after active duty. The VA has hardship programs many borrowers don't realize they qualify for, including modification options and VA Cash-Out refinance paths for veterans with equity. As a Marine and Army veteran myself, I'll walk you through every program that actually applies to your situation.
What does a confidential consultation actually look like?
It's a private conversation — phone, text, video, or in person — where I listen to your situation, give you an honest assessment, and help you understand your real options. There's no pressure to list, no commitment, no judgment. If selling isn't the right path, I'll point you to a HUD-approved housing counselor or attorney who can help.
Do you serve homeowners in both Tennessee and Kentucky?
Yes. I'm licensed in both states and serve Clarksville, Nashville, Jackson, Memphis, Millington, Oak Grove, Hopkinsville, Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Shepherdsville, and Louisville — including the military communities around Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and NSA Mid-South.
NEED HELP RIGHT NOW?

For free HUD-approved housing counseling, call 1-800-569-4287 or visit hud.gov. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your state. Lola Animashaun is a licensed Realtor, not a legal or financial advisor.