It’s pretty uncommon to feel like you’re in control in this economy. All the headlines seem to make it look like the whole world is in a death spiral, that only divine intervention (or government help) is going to save you.

The truth is, even for people who are “underwater” in their home mortgages – owning places that have larger mortgages than the home is worth – may be able to at least negotiate mortgage terms that they can afford month-to-month. If they do, they can hold onto the property long enough to see a market recovery, see the house worth more again and sell it at a price it’s worth.

But most people lack the knowledge, language and skills to negotiate with lenders on their own. Instead, they can hire a loan modification firm to do the work for them. For around $300 (in a refundable fee if not successful), a borrower can engage the services of loan modification specialists who are trained in banking, finance and law (yes, some are lawyers) to work on behalf of the homeowner. These specialists have detailed knowledge of the costs to a bank of a foreclosure, and negotiate based on that information.

Net results: homeowners stay in their homes, the bank keeps a customer, and entire neighborhoods are spared one or several foreclosures and pre-foreclosures, keeping up home values in surrounding blocks – a win-win for everyone. Not a penny of government money is required to make this happen.