2009 has been one of the most difficult years for householders in the United States.

As of June 30, 2009, the FDIC reports that U.S. commercial banks (6995 institutions) hold approximately $29 billion worth of real estate and $4 trillion in real estate loans domestically.

As unemployment and business failures have undermined their abilities to meet mortgage payments, hundreds of thousands of Americans have been confronted with the loss of their homes.