With the ever-increasing daily news about America's foreclosure crisis hitting every homeowner square in the face, many are looking for a viable solution to their woes. More and more are falling victim while the mortgage industry is seeing those same number of applications for new mortgages decreasing.

Whether they are new or long time homeowners, all are becoming quite nervous wondering if or when they too, will be hit next with a default. With a down turning economy and grim news hitting the airwaves everyday, more and more homeowners are finding themselves perplexed on what to do about their current situation.

Some are finding themselves having to choose between filling up the tank, carpooling or cutting back on office hours just to make ends meet. Many recreational activities have had to be curtailed because they suddenly became too expensive to maintain. Using every resource available has become the number one priority for many homeowners. All are searching for a viable, working solution to their troubles.

Many reports are coming in are pointing out higher and higher rates of homeowners owing more on their mortgages than their homes are now worth. Not wanting to face the hard fact of losing their prized possession to foreclosure, many pack up and quietly move out in the middle of the night.

In many instances, whole neighborhoods and even communities have become foreclosure ghost towns. Much can be blamed on the Real Estate flippers, whose "get-in-get-out-and-get-paid-quick" aggressiveness created the excitement, are finding themselves stuck, with properties they can't get rid of.

Many buyers cite getting easy credit from loan officers who looked past their unstable income just to land an 'easy' commission.

The affect of the housing dilemma is not only rippling down but exponentially as well. When one sector is affected, every other housing sector is as well including the signing of new mortgages. The effect can be devastating, for both long-time and new owners especially when finding out they been dealing with an unscrupulous lender.

There are still programs available for those who still want to get into a home. One such housing loan program is offered through the Department of Agriculture—that is, if you don't mind living out in the woods. Rural living isn't for everybody, but, for some, if it means getting into their first house cheaply, rural living it is.