Recently, there has been a halt to foreclosures on homes where the mortgages have fallen into default. The onus has been put on the lenders to prove that they have the right to foreclose. Judges have started dismissing foreclosure actions against homeowners as it has become clear that the banks do not have clear title or standing to foreclose.

What this means to struggling homeowners is that they now have an opportunity to challenge banks that may not have been helpful in the loan modification process. Very few homes have been successfully modified under the HAMP program and the blame for this is being laid right at the banks front door. From the entire modification process being characterized as unhelpful to downright deceptive, this moratorium on foreclosing will give homeowners a chance to negotiate favorable terms with their lenders.

WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- There was no love lost between incumbent Governor Martin O'Malley and former governor Robert Ehrlich in Thursday afternoon's debate at The Washington Post building.  WUSA9 was a media partner for the debate, along with WAMU 88.5 radio.

"While Bob Ehrlich appointed his unqualified cronies to important positions on the Public Service Commission, we've restored professional regulators..." O'Malley said.

"Governor O'Malley calls immigrants 'new Americans,' if someone breaks into my home, does that make him a new family member for the evening?" Ehrlich asked.

Those types of comments started almost immediately as one candidate blamed the other for ruining Maryland's economy, ignoring schools and cutting jobs in the state.

O'Malley's main message throughout the hour-long debate was to bring Maryland people together "positively and diligently."

The following was sent to us by Brett Norton of Fair Chance DC:

More than 450 guests and over 20 sponsors can’t be wrong, to join them for Fair Chance’s biggest event in history, buy tickets at www.fairchancedc.org.  Fair Chance’s Annual Butterfly Bash will take place this Friday, October 15 at the Andrew W.