We were out of work briefly after buying property mortgage free and defaulted on some creditors. We are now making enough money to make progress, but two creditors are gouging us for interest so bad since defaulting and we can't afford to make the minimum exorbitant payment for them to start working with us rationally. I don't think an unsecured personal loan is an option with our credit now chopped up.

We owe about 25K total (15 of which is owed to avgressive creditors who are gauging us) If we borrow against our property to end the interest gouging, we'd have additional expenses of insuring it, title company and real estate related fees that might add to about 5K in fees. If we go with this option and have cash in the bank to negotiate, can we use a debt relief lawyer to settle some of our debts without the insane additional interest and fees? Is negotiating on our own a better idea? Would finding a private lender to borrow against our property cost less in real estate related fees?