Troubled Homeowners Try New Policy: Just Don't Pay

Some homeowners in foreclosure are done with trying to wrangle loan modification from the banks. They've adopted a different policy: evict me if you dare. With more than 1.7 million households in foreclosure, it can take a long time for the courts to actually eject homeowners. Last year, the average delinquent borrower had been in foreclosure for 438 days before getting evicted, the New York Times reports.

More than 650,000 households have made no mortgage payments in 18 months. Many taking the "free rent" approach—and using the money saved to get back on their feet—say their actions are justified because they believe lenders tricked them into loans they couldn't afford. “They’re all crooks,” said one Florida borrower who's given up trying to get help from the banks.