PHILADELPHIA AP – Just two months ago, Aaron Brokenbough had no clout and little say when lenders moved to foreclose on his home. His Philadelphia row house was scheduled for a sheriff’s sale, the end of the road for most homeowners who are behind in mortgage payments.

That was before a Philadelphia court decided to step in with this unusual order: Sheriff’s sales cannot go forward without a last-ditch effort by the lender and homeowner to work out a deal.