PHOENIX -- More homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages and good credit are on the brink of foreclosure.

Across the country, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Thursday that 12 percent of homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments or are already in foreclosure.

Arizona, California, Nevada and Florida hold 46 percent of all the country's foreclosures.

"I really think the existing lender is really not helping as much as they should be," said Jeremy Schachter, a mortgage advisor and co-owner of 76 Mortgage.

Schachter has been following the foreclosure trend.

While the economy with job losses and pay cuts has made it difficult for homeowners to keep up with mortgage payments, Schachter thinks that's only one of the factors at play.

"Even if you have a fixed-rate on a mortgage, which is pretty manageable, if your income goes down, you're still going to be struggling," said Schachter.

Schachter said mortgage lenders have made it challenging to get loan modifications or reductions.

Major banks require that the homeowner be behind on their payments before they can modify.

Also, President Obama's home rescue plan won't help many Arizonans too far upside down in their homes.

"Personally, I think that people are paying their mortgage and they're feeling their home is losing less and less value each day and not gaining value," said Schachter.

Schacter thinks the government can help stabilize the market with more aggressive programs for homeowners to refinance into lower rates.

"I think we're going to get out of this earlier than other states because we got into it so quickly," said Schachter, "but i think we're definitely not in the clear."