Tag Archives: mortgage lending

“Ability to Repay” Rule Could Prompt More Foreclosures

USA Foreclosures 101

On April 26, 2012 the Kansas City Star published a column from the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Al Heavens analyzing the federal government’s new “ability to repay” rule. This rule was part of the Frank-Dodd financial reform act of 2010 aimed at getting rid of high-risk mortgages and cleaning up the home lending industry. Among other things the Frank-Dodd legislation essentially put an end to risky mortgage products like interest only and negative amortization loans. While parts … Continue reading →

Foreclosure Problems Not Entirely The Fault Of Banks

USA Foreclosures 101

If nothing else, the recent settlement between 49 state attorneys general and five of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders has exposed many weaknesses in the current system of mortgage lending and foreclosures. However, it’s important that both consumers and the media refrain from jumping on the banks and blaming them exclusively. They certainly do own their fair share of the blame here, but we cannot leave out the responsibility of consumers and the federal government. … Continue reading →