That's because most people don't understand the concept of maintenance costs.
The people who build these massive houses don't understand that the people who get the houses had crappy houses to begin with for a reason. THEY ARE POOR. THEY CANT AFFORD A BIG HOUSE.
It's not just about the mortgage payments, it's that they can't afford the energy bills or the repair bills or the property taxes.
The property tax on a $450,000 house is at LEAST $6,000 a year in a state like Georgia.
If the family was earning $60,000 a year (and they were likely earning less than that), that represents 10% of their gross income.
Again, giving people a high maintenance mansion is a curse, not a blessing.
If I were them, I would have sold the house immediately and purchased something a little more modest.