One of the reasons why I love Steemit is because it is a place that enables me to learn all I can about Cryptocurrencies while earning one at the same time.
If the guy was in some where like Steemit, he might have gotten some capital without resorting to Mortgaging his house.
and in terms of logic mortgaging your house for something you have no idea what exactly is about is completely stupid but as they say everyone is different :P