It is likely that this is an example of an older person that was taken advantage of by an unethical mortgage broker. Seriously, some guy probably sold her a bill of goods and she couldn't comprehend what the downsides of the transaction were. I am a big proponent of personal responsibility truly...but I have seen too many instances of people - particularly women - of a certain age group that are taken advantage of financially. I think this has to do with how women were not expected to handle the financial end of things due to the era that came of age in. It is predictable - the husband dies, and the widow (with very little financial literacy) is taken advantage of by a salesman. Happens all the time - not sure if that is the case here but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.