same here... "the experts" always advised that homeowners work with their mortgage holders because the last thing they want is the home to go into foreclosure. But that's not true. I too know of people who where only slightly behind and tried to work with the bank and they were locked into pay up or foreclose. Idiot banks.
Countrywide had it down to a science. They *wanted* foreclosures.
And you're right, it must be great to just sit in a "free" home. I feel for families who are losing their homes, due to unfortunate circumstances (lost jobs, et cetera). But the greedy fuckers who were buying shit left and right, hoping to turn into a millionaire...... 
I know some. They had it coming.
I made an offer on a home back in March 2007. When we looked at it, the list was $490K. Instead of low-balling, my then wife-to-be and I decided to make them an offer they couldn't refuse (she really wanted it) - $470K.
The sellers then raised the list price to $500K and said their agent had 'made a mistake'. They rejected our offer.
Some other stuff went on after that - including them sending us a personal letter and quoting scripture about how much they'd put into the home - but we did finally settle on $490K. There were conditions, though, and within a few weeks, it was clear that the house was losing value, so we voided the contract.
I put in an offer when the asking price fell to $350,000 and they refused it!
Long story short...it's been empty the entire time (since summer 2006) and is now down to $305,000.
Gotta love it when greed turns to spite. They sure are showing how 'Christian' they are.
