Isn't this how the whole mortgage mess started in the real estate industry in the first place, meaning the nothing down or very little down?

Westpac has announced it is increasing interest rates on home loans because of turmoil on global financial markets.

As is being reported in the news, there is an ongoing storm in the financial world; a situation where banks are wary of lending to each other and as a result, there is less money available for new debtors, a situation otherwise known as the credit crunch.
What does this mean for the ordinary consumer?

New guidance released this week by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Justice (DOJ) reinforced the right of persons with disabilities to make “reasonable modifications” to their dwellings if a structural change to their dwelling or to a common area of the building or complex in which they live is needed so that they can fully enjoy the premises.

Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) announced today that the company will generally purchase mortgages that are 120 days or more delinquent from pools underlying Mortgage Participation Certificates ("PCs") when:

The number of people taking out home loans in Australia fell in October, with borrowers wary of the widely anticipated interest rate increase in November.

Having a home is the one thing that gives property owners a great feeling of accomplishment and creates a positive attitude towards life as well. Owning a property not only represents a physical shelter and a place to share the best memories with the ones that we love but it can also be a financial shelter for many unexpected problems that can befall us.

President Bush is moving to help keep thousands of American homeowners from defaulting on their home loans in a growing crisis that has affected worldwide financial markets. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the chairman of the U.S. central bank says he will also act to keep the credit crisis from hurting the economy.

The stock market might be nervous now due to the subprime loan mess, but Stuart Greenbaum, former dean of the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, is bullish on the situation.

Last week, the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) announced that interest rates were to remain at 5.5 per cent.

The Federal Reserve is taking into account several measures, such as proof of income from borrowers, no penalties for early mortgage payments, and a guarantee that property taxes and insurance bills are covered to recover high-risk mortgages market.

Fixed mortgage rates moved higher across the board this week. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.25 percent. According to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders, the 30-year fixed rate mortgages had an average of 0.27 discount and origination points.