As the eyes of Republican voters turn to Florida for the Sunshine State's upcoming primary election for the party's presidential nomination, residents are hoping that someone will come forward with a plan to help stem the tide of foreclosures that has swept through the state over the last few years.

Homeowners in Florida may be disappointed, as most of the GOP candidates have not offered many concrete plans to solve the crisis. According to one Florida company's analysis, 23 percent of all mortgages in the state are delinquent or in foreclosure, the highest rate in the country.

An adviser for front-running candidate Mitt Romney acknowledged that housing will be a big issue for Florida voters in the GOP primary and the general election in November. President Obama's mortgage-relief plan has received a great deal of criticism for failing to help many homeowners get badly needed mortgage modifications.

Romney has said in the past that the foreclosure crisis should be allowed to run its course, but said in a debate this month that he would look into assisting banks that want to work with underwater homeowners.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum has proposed allowing people to deduct any losses in a home sale from their taxes. That is the most concrete proposal having to do with housing; all the candidates have spoken vaguely about loosening regulations to allow lenders more flexibility.

And while politicians dither and speak broadly, Florida homeowners who are underwater and need help now should know that there are options for fighting foreclosure. Consulting with an experienced real estate attorney who knows the law could be a good first step in helping someone stay in their home.

Source: Bloomberg, "Foreclosure-Ridden Florida Listens for Republican Housing Plans," Michael Bender, Jan. 25, 2012