Rising delinquency rates in mortgage payments have forced many homeowners to confront a harsh and unpleasant truth: foreclosure.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's National Delinquency Survey for the third quarter of 2008 reported that the delinquency rate for mortgage loans rose more than a half of a percent between the second and third quarter of the year. Additionally, the number of loans in the foreclosure process increased again, as did the number of loans entering the foreclosure process.

The economic and political factors that formed the home equity quagmire began with loose lending standards, rampant speculation, low interest rates and various ways to borrow from the housing piggy bank. Unfortunately it ends with homeowners fighting to keep a roof over their heads. Here's what you can do if you find yourself veering toward foreclosure.

Also, find out what's gone into the foreclosure mix to bring some homeowners to this point, as well as how the process works and what you can do to stop it.

Plus, see some tips on what not to do unless you really want to make a bad situation worse.