1. Over the last couple of years people saw huge increases in the values of there homes. 2. Grandma and Grandpa said "crazy times be careful" 3. banks were pressured to lend to unqualified buyers, "American Dream for everyone plan" 4. People used there homes like piggy banks and then "oh crap! my variable rate mortgage that everyone warned me about just rolled and my interest rate is 10% on my $ 700,000 McMansion that is only worth $ 300,000". 5. Banks make more money if they forclose than if they shortsale, plus it's easier for the bank. 6. Grandma and (3 comments)