but consumer advocates like ira rheingold hope the robo-signing settlement will focus action on the real problem-- reducing the debt burden for homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth. >> my hope is that, once we begin to see that principal reduction actually makes a difference, that these homeowners who could have been in default are no longer in default with their payments. it will move some of the actors in our marketplace who are being unbelievably recalcitrant in terms of principal reduction, in terms of allowing homeowners to save their homes will move in that direction. >> reporter: the biggest piece of the robo-signing settlement is aimed at principle reduction. some $17 billion is expected to be set aside to reduce the amount that homeowners owe their banks. the deal will also offer a check for roughly $1,700 to victims of robo-signing. there will be some money to help borrowers refinance, and the settlement should set clear rules on the foreclosure process moving forward. while $25 billion is a start, it is a small sum compared to the 12 and a half million mortgages