ORLANDO – If you’re struggling to make your mortgage payment, you’re not alone. Foreclosures are climbing across Florida, and the state now ranks third worst in the nation, with experts warning the situation could get worse before it gets better.

News 6 Investigator Pavlina Osta spent weeks combing through the state’s foreclosure data, uncovering warning signs driven by a combination of high insurance rates and mounting household debt.

Short sale specialist Jenny Zamora has worked in real estate for 20 years. She took News 6 to one of the many Central Florida homes currently listed as a short sale, a property where the owners had already walked away.

“You can notice the homeowners got up and left and they left some other stuff and most of it’s gone,” Zamora said.

What is a short sale?

A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure. In simple terms, if a homeowner can’t afford the mortgage, they can ask the bank to allow them to sell the home for less than what they owe. Zamora said she sees these listings across property types.

“You do see these with single family homes, town homes, mobile homes, mostly where it’s a primary residence,” she said.

Despite two decades in the industry, Zamora said the current climate stands out.

“I know that I don’t have a crystal ball, but I don’t see this like ever stopping. I mean, I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I know there have been ups and downs, but I’ve always kept busy,” she said.

Jeff Brandes, president of the Florida Policy Project, said solutions exist but they require action at the state level.

“The best practices we’ve identified in the country are allowing for a lot of sizes, lots of splits, up zoning of homes for traditional single family to maybe duplexes or triplexes, allowing for accessory dwelling units,” Brandes said.He added that Florida’s next generation of leaders will need to prioritize housing access.

“The next leadership of the state is going to have to focus on first-time homebuyers, young families, creating more opportunities to live in their communities,” said Brandes.

What to do if you’re falling behind

Zamora’s advice for struggling homeowners is straightforward: don’t wait. If you’re having trouble making mortgage payments, reach out to a legal expert or real estate agent as soon as possible to explore your options before foreclosure becomes the only path forward.