As the nation takes this day to remember and commiserate about the terror attacks that crossed our borders five years ago, a lot of talk is rightfully focusing on the heroes of that day as well.

Just as they did back then, heroes come in all shapes, sizes and from a myriad of backgrounds. And different types of heroes emerge on the home front for various reasons.

Today, a serious problem facing many Americans — specifically homeowners — is the possibility of foreclosure. Just read the latest headlines, “Foreclosures Haunt Homeowners,” or “Foreclosures Up Sharply in Maine” and you’ll see why people are scared. Mortgage fraud is becoming more rampant around the country as well, exacerbating an already painful situation.

A lot has been written about how lenders — some of whom helped borrowers buy more home than they could realistically afford — are now trying to step in and save the day, for their own bottom line and for homeowners in default.

The latest article has some big name lenders aligning themselves with non-profit credit counseling agencies to help stem the tide before a flood of foreclosures comes down the pipeline. That is, of course, after interest rates are reset on an estimated $1 trillion of those creative financing vehicles such as option loans, interest-only loans and conventional adjustable-rate mortgages next year.

Homeowners caught asleep at the wheel may wake up to find a mortgage payment that increases as much as 50 percent in short notice. They will need saving, and that is where real estate investors, agents and potential homebuyers subscribing to RealtyTrac can become all-American heroes overnight, allowing a homeowner in distress to bow out gracefully, with their credit history still intact and maybe a few bucks in their pocket.

We’d like to hear about a situation where you’ve been a hero to a homeowner in distress. If you have any comments, questions or feedback, please feel free to respond to this article.