There’s an article today in USA Today about foreclosures and the mental health impacts foreclosure can have on the homeowners involved. The piece takes more of a personal approach rather than hard numbers and statistics, which is to be expected from USA Today, but it does provide a little reminder for those working in the foreclosure industry that there are people involved in the process, not just values and purchase prices.

On a personal level, the article reminded me of a house I saw many years ago where the owners just left.  I’m sure they took some clothes and personal effects, but the house was fully furnished with high end quality furniture including home electronics such as televisions, computers and stereos, family pictures were all still on the walls.  The closets were all filled with clothes, the kid’s rooms still had toys and video games.  I don’t really understand why anyone would leave literally tens of thousands of dollars worth of possessions behind even if they are going to lose the house, but it does indicate some of the huge stresses impacting those homeowners suffering through a foreclosure.