RealtyTrac and Trulia announced last week that 41% of people would consider a “Strategic Default”, or choose to stop paying their mortgage even if they are capable because of negative equity (owing more than your home is worth).

First American Core Logic says there are 130 million homes in the United States. If 20% of them are upside down, or 26 million homes, and 41% walk, then 10.4 million homes would go into default.

The National Association of Realtors says the median home price is $166,100, so if you take 10.4 million homes by $166,100, you have over $1,727,400,000,000 in foreclosures ahead.

Let’s hope strategic defaults reach no where near the 41% level. It is a big problem and Short Sale Pros always advises against it.