the problem is identified in the first paragraph of that article

Three years ago, Lamar Grace left Detroit for the suburb of Southfield. He got a good deal — a 3,000-square-foot colonial that once was worth $220,000. In foreclosure, he paid $109,000.

5 years ago $109,000 got you a 900-1100 sq. ft. house in the inner ring suburbs.... now its buying you 3,000 sq. ft.

There is a HUGE amount of difference in utility and maintenance costs between a 1000 and a 3000 sq. ft. house. Couple that with rising energy costs and soon the pristine 3000 sq. ft. house next door starts to be less than adequatly maintained. When the roof starts to leak, paying for a roof on a 3000 sq. ft. house might be out of range, so out comes the blue tarps.... heat bills got you down, how about some classy plastic over the outside windows.... decorating the inside of a 3000 sq. ft. house expensive?? not if you hang cheap mexican blankets in the windows for curtains....

this is why you see animosity from the person who paid $250,000 for the house next door and can afford to maintain it also.....