Stuck In The Middle

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WUSA) -- "I do a photo shoot in the morning, go to the regular 9 to 5 job, then we work on our real estate business," says Dan McCutchen.

He is doing everything he can to keep his house. Working three jobs, getting little sleep and no where on his loan modification.

In April he received an email from his mortgage company.

"Countrywide has denied us."

McCutchen has been trying since December of 2008 to get some help, with no luck.

"So I essentially have to screw up my great credit and not give the mortgage company about 8 to 10 thousand dollars. Which doesn't make any sense to me," McCutchen says.

This Maryland homeowner is one of millions in the same predicament. Stuck in the middle of a mortgage mess. Fifty-one percent of his income goes toward his house payment.

"In July, it was denied," he says.

Industry experts say that lenders are reluctant to modify loans because it hurts their bottom line.

"If they write down one loan, they may have to write down others and that affects their finances,"says Kiplinger's magazine editor Janet Bodnar.

She says if you are turned down be as proactive as you can.

"You have to be your own advocate. And, you know, if you talk to one person at your lending office and they tell you no, ask to talk to their superior," Janet says.

McCutchen has an advocate and he's still getting nowhere.

He says, "My only other option would be to walk away from the property. And, I don't think that does this real estate market in this economy any good."

He plans to keep pushing for answers even if it means more work.

"The mortgage companies tell us to call, 'call us first, call us before you have a problem. We're here to help.' They're really not," says McCutchen.

If you're stuck in the middle, Kiplinger's Janet Bodnar says keep on pushing.

Get in touch with the federal government for help.

Reach out to credit counselors to advocate on your behalf.

Don't accept no. Do what you can to save your home.