If you are not paying taxes then they have the right to file a forcelosure so the homeowner really need to sit down and see what's the best option to avoid foreclousre. Either they can do a loan modification so that there payment will be low enough to pay taxes also. Or if the homeowner thinks that things will get worse, cannot afford the payment then sell the house (if there's no equity then short sale) so that they can avoid this tension and move foreward to build better future and avoid foreclosure. Don't wait too long!!

This problem has truly become a virus . More and more people are being affected as employment and economic conditions atill deteriorate.

The owners needs to ask yhemselves these questions: Is the financial problem temporary or here to stay for a while?
Is the home upside down in value and if so by how much? Do they want to stay in their home?

If so, they can ask the lender for a loan modification. Patience is needed here as lenders are swamped with requests these days. The owners should check out the OBAMA plan so they understand what may be possible.
If the home is too upside down in value for a loan modification then I would suggest going for a short sale. Today you don't have to be in arrears with mortgage payments anymore to do a short sale.