SAN DIEGO -- Brett Robbins works in Pacific Beach, but it's because of a recent loan modification he can still go up to a home he owns in Santa Barbara when ever he wants.

"It's very expensive, did a lot of work to it but as time went on, less money was coming in and property values were going down," he said.

Robbins became one of millions of homeowners who fell behind on his payments. The latest numbers from Fannie Mae show 3.28 percent of their customers -- about 1 in 30 homeowners -- are 60 or more days delinquent on their mortgage.

"There doesn't seem to be a reduction in the amount of homes that are in trouble," said real estate expert Mark Goldman.

However, there is a reduction in foreclosures. The latest numbers by www.foreclosureradar.com show San Diego County going down. There were 26,928 foreclosures in January 2010 compared to about six months ago when it was 40,757.

"The stress is still out there. The question is what are banks doing about it to minimize their exposure to loss."

Goldman said banks are easing up on homeowners because of pressure by the government.

"The government seems to be encouraging banks by publishing statistics as to how many loans banks are modifying," he said.

One alternative is a short sale or a deed in lieu of forecloses, but one San Diego broker said he has seen mostly modifications.

"A lot more modifications since the new year because banks do not want to go through the foreclosure process," said Mortgage broker Alex Osante.

Robbins is now saving $2,000 a month on his mortgage, still paying his bank and keeping the value of his home up.