(October 17, 2008) With home values falling and a rough economy denting people's wallets, it doesn't take much for a homeowner to get underwater on a mortgage, owing more on the loan than the home is worth. Toss in a personal dilemma or two and the situation can become even more bleak.

WASHINGTON (AP) (October 8, 2008) Pending home sales rose 7.4 percent from July to August, an unexpected piece of positive news for the battered U.S. housing market.