BOISE - It's the center-piece of the American dream, owning your own home.

But, for many people, it's turned into a nightmare because they're caught in the middle of a major problem - mortgage related firms going belly up.

Zach and Nikki Ballard finally are settling into the home they bought a year ago - learning how to juggle teaching school and raising twins.

"It was a big step for us, biggest investment we ever made," Ballard said.

So the couple was excited to catch a break, when they received a $1,500 check in the mail after refinancing their home.

"Money's pretty tight right now, with two kids in diapers, having to budget," Ballard said.

As soon as the Ballards got their check, it went straight to the bank. But a few weeks later they got some bad news and emailed 2 News for help.

"I just checked the bank account online one day and $1,500 had magically disappeared," Ballard said.

So I did some digging.

Turns out, the couple is among dozens of people across the nation whose checks bounced, from the same mortgage company, Taylor Bean and Whitaker, head-quartered in Florida.

When you go to the company's website, it instructs you to call a number. So we did. After hearing a recorded voice for a few moments, all I heard after that was elevator music.

"I've probably spent 10 hours on hold with Taylor Bean and Whitaker," Ballard said.

According to Mortgagedaily.com, a website that tracks failed lenders, 164 mortgage related firms nationwide have collapsed or shut their doors from Jan. 1, through Oct. 2 of 2009.

So I started calling offices from the Yellow Pages here in Boise. I heard a disconnected message from at least five businesses from the a-block alone.

Grant Porter, Columbia Mortgage part owner in Boise, says the tough economy has helped to weed out less reputable companies.

"From a consumer prospective, you're chances of working with someone who's good and professional is better than it was a few years ago," Porter said.

He says he also did some checking of his own and found out the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation took over TBW and forced them to shut down operations.

The FDIC is the federal agency that insures lenders.

Porter says he spoke with someone at TBW, who confirmed the accounts were frozen. And says as soon as the courts give the go-ahead, the funds will be released and checks will be sent out.

But the Ballard family is skeptical.

"I hope everybody can get settled because especially with the way the economy is, everybody needs that extra dollar," Ballard said.

And for the Ballards, that extra cash means diapers, clothes and food on the table.

Porter, the mortgage broker, says it's very difficult, if not impossible to predict if a lender is going under.

And one bank told 2 News, you often don't find out until you receive a letter in the mail.

The Idaho Attorney General's office says it's working on developing information to help homebuyers in the future. But, we're told if a company is in bankruptcy, you may not get your money back.