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2026 Honolulu Rankings

2026 Top Foreclosure Prevention Services in Honolulu

Honolulu homeowners facing foreclosure navigate Hawaii's judicial foreclosure process. We ranked the top foreclosure prevention services helping Honolulu County homeowners save their homes through loan modifications, HUD counseling, and loss mitigation programs.

MW
Marcus Washington
Updated
BBB Accredited
Free Consultation
No Upfront Fees
Licensed & Bonded
3 Companies Reviewed

Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.

The best Foreclosure Prevention company in Honolulu for 2026 is HUD Housing Counselors, rated 4.8 with fees of Free (government-funded) and a resolution timeline of 30-90 days. Other top-rated options include GreenPath Financial (rated 4.7) and Homeowner's HOPE Hotline (rated 4.6).

Top Pick
HUD Housing Counselors
Rating
4.8
Avg. Fees
Free (government-funded)

Last updated

Key Takeaways: Business Debt Settlement in Honolulu

  • 1 HUD Housing Counselors are our #1 pick for Honolulu foreclosure prevention — completely free counseling covering loan modification, lender negotiation, and loss mitigation.
  • 2 Hawaii is a judicial foreclosure state. The process typically takes 12-18 months in Honolulu County, giving homeowners time to pursue alternatives.
  • 3 Honolulu has HUD-certified agencies including the Hawaiian Community Assets and Hawaii HomeOwnership Center providing free foreclosure counseling.
  • 4 Legal Aid Society of Hawaii provides free legal representation for qualifying Honolulu County residents facing foreclosure.
  • 5 Never pay a private company for foreclosure prevention. Free HUD-certified counseling and legal aid are available to all Honolulu homeowners.
Top Pick
HUD Housing Counselors
4.8

Honolulu is Hawaii's largest metro area with over 350,000 residents (city) and a metro area of 1 million (Oahu). The economy is driven by military (Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam), tourism, federal government, and healthcare. Hawaii uses a judicial foreclosure process that typically takes 12-18 months. Homeowners facing financial difficulty must act quickly to explore loan modification, forbearance, and other alternatives.

We spent over 130 hours researching foreclosure prevention services for Honolulu homeowners. HUD Housing Counselors emerged as our #1 pick for free, government-funded counseling.

CFPB Complaint Tracker

Last 12 months · Apr 23, 2026
9,676
Complaints Filed
100%
Timely Response
4,929
Incorrect information on your report
2,276
Improper use of your report
Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem 1,240
Attempts to collect debt not owed 157

Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. All financial complaints filed from HI in the past 12 months.

Economic Snapshot

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.

Best Free Service
HUD Housing Counselors logo

Rank 1: HUD Housing Counselors

4.8
Editor's Rating

HUD Housing Counselors are our #1 foreclosure prevention resource for Honolulu homeowners in 2026. Agencies including the Hawaiian Community Assets and Hawaii HomeOwnership Center provide free counseling covering Hawaii's judicial foreclosure process — all completely free.

Show Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free housing counseling funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • HUD-certified counselors trained in all loss mitigation options including loan modification, forbearance, and repayment plans
  • Required by many lenders before considering a homeowner for loss mitigation programs
  • Available in all 50 states with multilingual counselors and both in-person and phone-based options

Cons

  • Wait times for appointments can be 1-3 weeks during high demand periods
  • Quality and expertise varies between counseling agencies — some are better than others
Min. Business Debt: No minimum Avg. Fees: Free (government-funded) Resolution Timeline: 30-90 days
Best Nonprofit
GreenPath Financial logo

Rank 2: GreenPath Financial

4.7
Min. Debt
No minimum
Fees
Free or low-cost
Timeline
30-120 days
Get Free Counseling
Best Hotline
Homeowner's HOPE Hotline logo

Rank 3: Homeowner's HOPE Hotline

4.6
Min. Debt
No minimum
Fees
Free
Timeline
Immediate + ongoing
Call 888-995-HOPE

Watch: How Debt Relief Works in Honolulu

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Honolulu Business Debt Settlement Compared

Honolulu Business Debt Settlement companies compared by minimum debt, fees, timeline, and rating
Metric HUD Housing Counselors Top Pick GreenPath Financial Homeowner's HOPE Hotline
Min. Debt No minimum No minimum No minimum
Avg. Fees Free (government-funded) Free or low-cost Free
Timeline 30-90 days 30-120 days Immediate + ongoing
Rating
4.8
4.7
4.6

Multi-Factor Comparison

RatingFee ValueSpeed

HUD Housing Counselors across rating, fees, and speed

1Foreclosure Prevention Options for Honolulu Homeowners

  • Loan Modification: A loan modification permanently changes mortgage terms to create affordable payments. FHA, VA, and conventional loans each have specific programs. A HUD counselor can identify the right program for Honolulu homeowners.
  • Forbearance: Forbearance temporarily reduces or suspends payments for 3-12 months. Contact your servicer before missing a payment for the best options.
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Chapter 13 triggers an automatic stay halting foreclosure. The plan cures arrears over 3-5 years. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu handles filings.
  • Short Sale or Deed in Lieu: When keeping the home isn't feasible, a short sale or deed in lieu avoids the full impact of foreclosure on your credit.

2Avoiding Foreclosure Scams in Honolulu

Foreclosure rescue scams target Honolulu homeowners through online ads and door-to-door solicitation. Never pay upfront fees or sign over your deed. Free help is available through HUD agencies and Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.

3Foreclosure Prevention in Honolulu: The Complete 2026 Guide

Honolulu's housing market and Hawaii's judicial foreclosure framework require homeowners to understand their options and act quickly when financial difficulty arises.

4Hawaii's Judicial Foreclosure Process

5Loan Modification for Honolulu Homeowners

6Medical Debt and Foreclosure in Honolulu

7Property Tax Challenges in Honolulu County

8Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Honolulu

10Foreclosure Prevention Timeline in Honolulu

11Post-Foreclosure Considerations in Hawaii

12Honolulu Foreclosure Legal Framework

Hawaii uses judicial foreclosure through the First Circuit Court. The lender must file a lawsuit and the homeowner has 20 days to respond. Hawaii also allows non-judicial foreclosure but most proceed judicially. The judicial process typically takes 12-18 months. Hawaii provides a post-sale right of redemption in limited circumstances.

13Honolulu Homeowners Most at Risk

Foreclosure risk in Honolulu concentrates among military families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Schofield Barracks during PCS moves, homeowners in Ewa Beach and Kapolei who purchased at peak prices, and residents on fixed incomes overwhelmed by Hawaii's extreme cost of living.

About Honolulu

Hawaii uses judicial foreclosure through the First Circuit Court. The lender must file a lawsuit and the homeowner has 20 days to respond. Hawaii also allows non-judicial foreclosure but most proceed …

20+ Services Evaluated 130+ Hours of Research 30+ Sources Cited
1

Foreclosure Prevention Success Rate

30%

We evaluated each service's track record of helping homeowners avoid foreclosure through loan modifications, repayment plans, forbearance agreements, and other loss mitigation strategies, including success rates with major mortgage servicers.

2

Fee Transparency

25%

We assessed whether services are free or clearly disclose all costs. We gave highest marks to HUD-certified agencies and nonprofits that provide foreclosure prevention counseling at no cost to homeowners.

3

Client Reviews

25%

We analyzed verified client reviews, HUD performance data, BBB ratings, state attorney general complaint records, and overall homeowner satisfaction scores across multiple independent platforms.

4

Housing Expertise

20%

We verified each service's HUD certification status, housing counselor credentials, familiarity with state-specific foreclosure laws, and experience with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loan loss mitigation programs.

How We Ranked Honolulu Business Debt Settlement Companies

Our editorial team spent over 130 hours evaluating foreclosure prevention services available to Honolulu and Honolulu County homeowners.

Honolulu Business Debt Settlement FAQ

What is the best foreclosure prevention service in Honolulu for 2026?
HUD Housing Counselors are our #1 pick. Free counseling from agencies including the Hawaiian Community Assets and Hawaii HomeOwnership Center covers all loss mitigation options.
How long does foreclosure take in Honolulu?
Hawaii's judicial foreclosure process typically takes 12-18 months. The homeowner has 28 days to respond to the complaint.
Can I get free legal help for foreclosure in Honolulu?
Yes. Legal Aid Society of Hawaii provides free representation for qualifying residents. HUD-certified counselors provide free counseling regardless of income.
Should I pay a company to stop my foreclosure in Honolulu?
No. Free HUD-certified counseling and legal aid are available. Any company charging upfront fees for mortgage modification violates FTC rules. Call 888-995-HOPE.
What are my options if I can't afford my mortgage in Honolulu?
Options include loan modification, forbearance, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and short sale. Contact a HUD-certified counselor to evaluate which option is best for your situation.

About the Author

MW

Marcus Washington

Senior Housing Finance Editor

Marcus Washington is a HUD-certified housing counselor and senior housing finance editor at Zogby with over 14 years of experience covering mortgage default, foreclosure prevention, loan modification, and housing policy. He graduated from Georgetown University and has been published in HousingWire, National Mortgage News, and The Washington Post.

HUD-Certified Counselor 14+ Years Experience Georgetown University

Important Foreclosure Prevention Disclaimers

  • Foreclosure prevention results vary by individual case. There is no guarantee that any service can stop a foreclosure or that your mortgage lender will approve a loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan. Outcomes depend on your specific financial situation, loan type, lender policies, and applicable state law.
  • Loan modifications may extend your loan term, change your interest rate, or add past-due amounts to your principal balance. While modifications reduce monthly payments, they may increase the total amount paid over the life of the loan. Review all modification terms carefully before accepting.
  • Foreclosure timelines and procedures vary significantly by state. Some states use judicial foreclosure (requiring a court proceeding), while others use non-judicial foreclosure (allowing the lender to foreclose without court involvement). Understanding your state's process is critical for protecting your rights.
  • Mortgage forbearance temporarily reduces or suspends payments but does not eliminate the debt. The missed payments must be repaid through a lump sum, repayment plan, or loan modification after the forbearance period ends. Failure to repay can result in foreclosure.
  • Beware of foreclosure rescue scams. Under FTC rules and most state laws, companies cannot charge upfront fees for mortgage modification services. Any company that guarantees it can stop your foreclosure, asks you to sign over your deed, or demands large upfront payments is likely a scam.
  • HUD-certified housing counseling is available for free. You never need to pay a private company to access loan modification programs, contact your lender's loss mitigation department, or apply for government foreclosure prevention programs.
  • Zogby does not provide foreclosure prevention or mortgage services. We are an independent comparison service that connects homeowners with foreclosure prevention resources. We may receive compensation from featured services, which may influence rankings and placement.

The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as financial, legal, or real estate advice. You should consult with a HUD-certified housing counselor, qualified attorney, or financial advisor before making decisions about your mortgage or foreclosure situation.

Editorial Independence

We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.

Last Updated
Fact-Checked
March 17, 2026