Mortgage, debt management and personal finance in the news.

Changes in government regs may save your mortgage

The news is full of stories today about proposed changes to government rules and laws that could stop some of the increasing number of foreclosures. The best ones, in my opinion, are as follows:

1. …

“Jumbo” rates shoot up.

HSH Associates reports that rates for mortgages of more than $417,000 — so-called “jumbos”– have jumped to 7.84% from a high of only 6.87% in July. Meanwhile rates for conventional mortgages (those for …

It may be time to get rid of prepayment penalties

One of the big problems with subprime mortgages is prepayment penalties. I have talked to several people who signed up for high rate subprime mortgages think that as soon as they changed their situations …

No mortgages for “riskiest” 15%?

Some interesting predictions in 8/6 WSJ article on mortgages.

The chief economist at Goldman Sachs says that 10% to 15% of those who would have qualified for a mortgage last year will not qualify …

Can we protect consumers without closing down the subprime market?

Larry Lindsey, former chief economic advisor to George Bush, is attacking a proposal by NY Senator Chuck Schumer to increase regulation in the mortgage market. The most important provision of the proposed regulation …

Mortgage Terms Tighten; Rates Rise

The Wall Street Journal Reports that nervous lenders are continuing to tighten up on terms and raise interest rates as the subprime mortgage problem continues to grow. One large lender, Welles Fargo has raised …