KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Foreclosure help is out there

Foreclosure help is out there

GRAND JUNCTION (KJCT)- The number of foreclosed properties in Mesa County is up 173 percent this year over the same period last year. The good news is there is help out there if you're at risk of losing your home.

The Western Colorado Foreclosure and Prevention Assistance Fair took place in Grand Junction on Saturday.

Realtors, counselors and experts offered their advice, and we have some of that for you in case you missed it. We learned it's important to get your paperwork in order and seek help before it's too late.

Ann Hayes with the Grand Junction Area Realtors Association says she'd like to see more people selling their homes before they risk foreclosure, or applying for loan modifications.

"We've had over 270 complete foreclosures in the valley this year. That's above Denver for the first time in a long time. But we've had over 970 filings. So there's a lot of people who are avoiding foreclosure, but we'd like to see more of them avoid it," Hayes said.

If it's too late and you've already foreclosed on your house, you can still seek advice to get you through the process. It's important to know how much time you have left in your home so you can plan your next steps.

Despite the tough economy-- experts are anticipating a turnaround. They say it just might take awhile.