KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- 20 days, less than 3 weeks; that's all it takes in Tennessee to foreclose on your home, from publication of your home, to the auction at the courthouse.

But two different state House Bills could change that.

Representative Brenda Gilmore recently introduced legislation that would extend that time to at least 60 days, before your home could go up for auction.

And you could have at least 90 days from the date of publication, with representative Gary Moore's introduced House Bill.

"Every little bit helps" says counselor at the Knox Housing Partnership, Yvonne Hall.

She hopes the families she helps in foreclosure will soon have more time to save their home.

Yvonne says "anything that would give them extra time to be able to resolve the issue, either try to get into a repayment, or get the loan modified, or get into talks with somebody to get them into the department they need to be."

The HUD approved free counseling helps you negotiate with your lender to avoid foreclosure, something a national private consultant to mortgage companies highly recommends.

Rick Payer says "you can call your mortgage company before and say I'm going to have a problem making my payments, is there any other options available to us."

And mortgage companies say they hope you'll be able to keep your home.

Jesse Lehn with Mortgage Investors Group says the time could help a family keep their home, but if they know they will not get to keep the house " the borrower may not take as good of care of the property as they otherwise would and so by the time the lender or the bank gets possession of the property, it's actually in worse condition."

Contact your local Legislator in Tennessee to share your opinion on the introduced House Bills.

For more information on House Bill 0049 by Representative Gilmore.

For more information on House Bill 0099 by Representative Moore.