While missing a mortgage payment is never in anyone’s plan, it can happen to homeowners for a myriad of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s on the rise, with 30 percent more homeowners behind on their mortgages in 2026 than in 2025. If you find yourself among this rising group of struggling homeowners, know that you’re not alone and you do have options. Ahead, learn more about what to do when you can’t pay your mortgage with help from Adam Saab of loanDepot.

Common Reasons for Mortgage Hardship

Mortgage hardship often stems from:

Job loss or reduction

Divorce

Serious illness or accidents

Inflation and rising costs

Natural disasters

Why Acting Fast Matters

Mortgage companies want to know if you’re struggling to pay, and the faster you notify them, the better. “Mortgage lenders often have programs to help customers who run into financial difficulties, and the earlier you communicate, the more options may be available,” Saab says.…