Americans Are Desperately Googling ‘Help With Mortgage’ - Here’s How To Get Relief

If recent Google searches are any indication, an increasing number of homeowners are struggling to manage their mortgage payments. For many, this isn't a surprise. After all, we are all feeling the impact of rising prices, which can make keeping up with a mortgage payment difficult.

If you're a homeowner struggling with your monthly mortgage payment, you aren't alone. We explore money moves for homeowners to make that could help.

What's happening?

Sen. Elizabeth Warren shared a Google Trends graph in a recent tweet, highlighting a troubling trend.

The search term 'help with mortgage' has seen a surge on Google over the last couple of months. According to Google Trends data, the number of searches for 'help with mortgage' hasn't been this high since 2009.

Why are people searching for 'help with mortgage?'

Presumably, people searching for help with their mortgage are struggling to keep up with the expense. With rising costs everywhere we look, it's easy to see why some households might be struggling under the weight of these increasing costs.

Related queries include 'mortgage rates' and 'help paying mortgage.' And though the delinquency rate on single-family residential mortgages was less than 2% in the second quarter of 2025 (which is much lower than the peak of 11% in 2010), the fact remains that some homeowners are struggling with their mortgage payments. The good news is that concrete solutions can help. Here are some to get you started.

Give your mortgage lender a call

If you're struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments, start by giving your mortgage lender a call. Depending on the situation, your mortgage lender may be able to put your loan into forbearance. Essentially, this allows for a temporary pause or smaller payments.

You'll still have to repay the entire loan, which could mean an extended loan term. But the short reprieve could give you the bandwidth you need to get back on your feet.

Consider a refinance

Refinancing your loan to obtain a lower interest rate, longer loan term, or both could lead to a lower monthly payment. Although refinancing comes with extra expenses, like closing costs, locking in a lower monthly payment could give your budget a sustainable amount of breathing room.

Before refinancing, run the numbers to confirm that the cost is worth the savings. For example, if you plan on moving soon, you might not recoup the refinancing costs before you move.

Shop around for insurance

If you are paying too much for home insurance, it could be putting significant pressure on your household budget. In order to make sure you aren't overpaying for coverage, take a few minutes to compare quotes across multiple insurance companies. You might be surprised to find a cheaper option available.

Reevaluate your largest expenses

The average American household budget spends the most in three categories: housing, transportation, and food. If you aren't interested in moving, that means you have two other big-ticket areas to consider.

Look for ways to trim back on both your transportation and food costs. For example, you might choose to stop relying on takeout to lower your total food bills. Or, you might swap out your car for a more affordable set of wheels. Get creative on how to cut back in these big areas.

Increase your income

Increasing your income can give you the financial wiggle room you need to comfortably make your mortgage payments each month. If you are struggling to keep up with your mortgage, even a little bit of extra income can go a long way.

Some ways to boost your income include asking for a raise or picking up extra hours. Also consider starting a side hustle to make some extra money on your own time.

Sell stuff from around the house

If you need a quick cash infusion, start with a walk around your house. Many of us have items lying around that are simply collecting dust. Consider selling off some of the clutter taking up space in your house to give yourself a temporary cash buffer.

Rent out any extra space

One way to create a new income stream is to rent out extra space in your home.

If you have a spare bedroom, consider renting it out to generate some income. Another option is to rent out some of your garage space or shed as someone's storage solution. For homeowners with extra parking spots in prime areas, that's another potential revenue stream.

Cut back on discretionary spending

A tried and true solution is to carefully look at your discretionary spending and cut back. If you can cut out extra purchases for a while, you can redirect those funds to cover your bills, including your mortgage payments.

Of course, it's not sustainable to spot discretionary spending forever. Instead, this should serve as a temporary solution while you determine how to manage your mortgage payments going forward.

Sell the house

Generally, experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your net income on housing expenses, including your mortgage payment, HOA dues, utilities, and more. If you are spending above this threshold, you might find yourself stretched for cash in perpetuity.

Although selling your house might come at an emotional cost, sometimes selling is the right financial decision. If you can find a more affordable rental and you feel trapped by your mortgage payment, consider selling the house as a permanent solution.

Bottom line

Homeownership expenses don't end with your mortgage payment. Unfortunately, home maintenance and repair bills can come out of left field to disrupt your budget.

If these expenses are also taking a toll on your budget and you want to protect your home budget, opting to get a home warranty could help.

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