Crisis-Era Mortgage Attempts a Comeback

Crisis-Era Mortgage Attempts a Comeback

Now, big money managers including Neuberger Berman, Pacific Investment Management Co. and an affiliate of Blackstone Group LP are lobbying lenders to make more of these “Alt-A” loans—or even buying loan-origination companies to control more of the supply themselves—according to people familiar with the matter.

Years of easy-money policies by central banks and ultralow interest rates are pushing investors to seek out riskier assets with higher yields, such as these Alt-A loans. Many of these loans come with interest rates as high as 8%, compared with an average of about 3.8% for a typical 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. While such relatively...

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The Actual Lifespan of 7 Common Household Furnishings

You know when you need to replace your milk and your makeup, but your home decor won't last forever, either.

While they aren't as clear cut as the ones you'll find on your groceries, expiration dates do exist for your furniture and accessories. And according to Apartment Therapy, few people know what they are. In fact, 54% think furniture should last twenty years or more.

We've got news for you: Your sofa will probably be lumpy and bumpy long before that. Here's a look at the average lifespans for seven of the most common items in your home:

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