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Delinquency Cost Calculator

The real cost of mortgage delinquency goes beyond late fees. This calculator totals late fees, legal costs, credit damage, and back interest to show the full impact of falling behind — so you know what it takes to resolve.

$
%
$
%

Total arrears to catch up

$7,718

payments + late fees

Late fees accumulated

$368

Legal / foreclosure fees

$1,500

if 3+ months

Estimated FICO drop

160

Non-principal cost of delinquency

$1,868

How the math works

Falling behind on a mortgage triggers late fees, reported delinquencies (credit bureau hits start at 30 days), and eventually foreclosure proceedings. Three months behind typically triggers the formal foreclosure process in non-judicial states, adding legal and trustee fees.

The cheapest time to fix a delinquency is before it hits 30 days. Call your servicer, set up a repayment plan or forbearance, and you can often avoid credit damage entirely. Servicers have loss mitigation teams whose job is exactly this.

How to Use

  1. Enter your monthly payment and months behind.
  2. Enter late fee % (typically 5% of payment).
  3. Enter loan balance and rate for back interest calculation.
  4. Enter current FICO for credit impact estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does foreclosure start?

Federal law prohibits starting foreclosure until 120 days delinquent. Most servicers file the initial Notice of Default at 90-120 days. Cure periods vary by state — non-judicial states are faster (2-4 months), judicial slower (6-12+ months).

Can I save my home if I'm 90 days behind?

Yes, often. Call the servicer's loss mitigation department. Options include repayment plan (catch up over 3-12 months), forbearance, modification, or refinance. The earlier you call, the more options available.

How much FICO damage?

30-day late: -60 to -100 points. 60-day: -90 to -130. 90-day: -130 to -160. Foreclosure: -160 or more plus 7-year derogatory. Even a single 30-day can make refinancing difficult for a year.

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