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LEBANON — Help is on the way for people facing foreclosure in Warren County.

The number of homes in foreclosure, whose owners no longer can make mortgage and property tax payments, nearly doubled since 2004 from 778 to an estimated 1,506 in 2008. In response, judges and other elected Warren County officials have taken steps to explain the legal process by which these homes can be auctioned to repay banks and delinquent taxes.

Also included are tips for homeowners who want help to try to keep their homes.

Warren County Common Pleas Court Administrator Scott McVey said foreclosure is not a foregone conclusion, there are ways to save the home, but people must act quickly. Once a foreclosure is filed in the court, the homeowner has 28 days to respond.

"The judges said the problem is, when we get notice of foreclosure most of the time the homeowner is not even around anymore, they've left," McVey said. "They don't respond and the bank just takes over the home. If the homeowner knew there were programs out there that may help them, there might be a better chance for these folks to save their homes."

The judges, Warren County Auditor Nick Nelson, Treasurer Jim Aumann and Clerk of Courts Jim Spaeth created a brochure that outlines places where people can go for help, contact information and several tips. Some of their tips:

• Call your lender and ask for the loss mitigation department — be honest so they give you the best options.

• Stay in the home — foreclosures on vacant properties move more quickly through the court system.

• Open your mail — government and non-profit foreclosure intervention groups may offer help.

• Some lenders are willing to negotiate payment plans — refinancing is an option and there are other ways to get out of foreclosure.

This initiative is part of a statewide effort known as "Save the Dream".

Because most people are not familiar with how Ohio's courts work, McVey said the Warren County officials rounded up a dozen lawyers who will go through the Ohio Supreme Court's mediation training program and offer free mediation help between homeowners and their lenders.

Warren Ritchie is one of these attorneys.

"I wanted to contribute some time to help some people," Ritchie said. "If there is such a flood of foreclosures, sometimes mediation can help the people and the financial institutions come to some agreement. If I can help, I wanted to help."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.

Home foreclosure in Warren County:

• In 2008 about 2.12 percent of approximately 58,000 homes in Warren County are expected to fall to foreclosure.

• Warren County has had about 125 foreclosures a month in 2008.

• Based on current estimates there will be 1,506 foreclosures this year which is 276 more than in 2007.

• Homeowners looking for a free mediation attorney may call at (513) 695-1570.