Regarding the article published in Thursday's edition entitled "More underwater homeowners choose to abandon ship" (March 18) I wish to point out an additional, significant downside to "walking away" from one's mortgage obligations. Once the bank forecloses on the property and sells it at an auction, the homeowner remains responsible for any deficiency from the mortgage balance, plus legal fees and expenses of the foreclosure process. Thus, a "walk away" may also involve a significant post-foreclosure lawsuit against the homeowner, which can further affect credit, future earnings and employment prospects, especially since it's public record. A "walk away" is not as simple as the article portrays.

Alex M. Allman, Bel Air