The red tape and waiting for a bank to decide what to do can take time.

And what about that term "affordable housing?" Like beauty, it is in the mind of the beholder.

"Keep in mind that a $600,000 house in Urbana that is foreclosed and resold for $400,000 is still not helpful to a family that can only afford a $150,000 solution at market interest rates," said James Upchurch, president of the affordable home non-profit, Interfaith Housing Alliance.

When his organization gets a call from someone facing foreclosure, Upchurch said he directs them to the Frederick Community Action Agency or other organization that could help the caller.

"Our counseling program is about preparing new home buyers and we believe that we have helped many first time buyers to avoid subprime loans," Upchurch said. "We make sure that they know about high reset interest rates and loan pay off fees that make refinancing difficult."

He said homebuyers that used his program had a lower default rate (less than 1 percent nationwide) than higher income households. Of the homes his organization helped people to build and move in to, a few were foreclosed but due to deaths, job loss or divorce.

In Maryland, there are two types of foreclosures -- judicial and nonjudicial.

In the first, the contract does not allow the lender to sell the property until first filing a complaint against the borrower. A court decides whether a loan default has occurred and, if so, the court decides a reasonable time for the borrower to negotiate with the lender or go to foreclosure.

In a nonjudicial foreclosure, the contract allows the lender to sell the property, but it must first be filed with the court and there are requirements on posting the sale and notifying the borrower.

SUBPRIME LENDING & FORECLOSURES Homeowners around the nation are struggling to make mortgage payments, and Frederick County is no exception. The map below show the area with the lowest and highest concentration of subprime mortgage loans. Click the map for a larger image. SEARCHABLE DATABASE Search the list of foreclosures filed in Frederick County Circuit Court from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2008. BIZ BLOG Business editor Cliff Cumber blogs about the project. Click here to check out his blog. THE ECONOMY & ME This new online-only section houses all sorts of stories that come our way on the economy, as well as tips consumers can use to stretch their dollar a little bit further. Click the graphic to go to the section. RELATED STORIES Foreclosure: A far-reaching problem Published on May 04, 2008 Ellen Scrivens reminisces about the house that she lost due to foreclosure last August that is located off Burning Bush Drive.more » Getting hit from all sides Published on May 04, 2008 In 2006, 455 foreclosures were filed in Frederick County Circuit Court. In 2007, that number more than doubled to 1,025. more » Officials seek to help foreclosure victims Published on May 04, 2008 People facing foreclosure, or who know someone who is, will have the opportunity Monday night to hear from someone who can help. more » Comptroller: state efforts to stem Published on May 04, 2008 The effect of the foreclosure crisis will hit hardest at local budgets, according to the state's chief tax official. more » Borrowers' euphoria clouded subprime risks Published on May 04, 2008 People were so happy to be in a home that the risks of the subprime loans they signed up for went right over their heads. more » Budgeting measures may protect county from foreclosure trouble Published on May 04, 2008 With conservative budgeting, Frederick County is prepared financially for effect from the local economy caused by the foreclosure crisis. more » Signs of trouble Auctioneers saw dangers of subprime loans coming Published on May 04, 2008 Auctioneers saw it coming. They knew the subprime loan frenzy would cause many homeowners to mortgage their futures. more » Commercial real estate market ‘cautious’ Deputies notice rise in evictions and foreclosures Published on May 05, 2008 Deputies notice rise in evictions and foreclosures Frederick County Sheriff's Deputy First Class Kevin Eyler posts a final eviction notice on a residence door shortly before the door is opened and the contents are carried to the street. more » Commercial real estate market ‘cautious’ Minimal subprime impact expected Published on May 05, 2008 Frederick County's commercial real estate market remains strong, but cautious, and experts predict that the foreclosure crisis rocking residential real estate will have a limited impact. more » Foreclosure: Taking a wider look Published on May 05, 2008 The foreclosure problem is having an impact on the Frederick community -- to what extent, and what may lie ahead for Frederick County, is still up in the air. more » Bargain bus offers tours of foreclosed homes Published on May 05, 2008 Anyone interested in buying a home facing foreclosure can save time and gas by boarding the Bargain Bus. more » Tips on buying a new or foreclosed home Published on May 05, 2008 Tips for buying a new home: be approved by a reliable lender; make sure you get enough of a price cut to cover unnoticed damage or deferred maintenance and repairs; look for the homes on the market the longest (90 to 120 days) for the best deals; pay for your own inspection and, real estate agents advise, be patient. more » How and where to get help Published on May 05, 2008 HUD foreclosure prevention. more »