Hey - here's breaking news. As long as they can pay the mortgage most don't care because it is a home first and foremost and they are paying it off. Most people who buy a car on finance are in the same negative equity boat the moment they drive out the showroom and they don't abandon the car immediately do they? What is your point ? The moment you buy a share for the long term , it invariably drops - that is not a cause to abandon it is it?
Most businesses when set up are in the red for the first few years before becoming successful as are most resource stocks. I am perplexed that you expect anything else with real estate!
