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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Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?


Dear Carrie,
I'm thinking of refinancing my mortgage since I know interest rates are going up. Does it still make sense or have I missed the boat?

--A Reader
Dear Reader,
Rising short-term interest rates are on a lot of people's minds these days. For savers, it's a plus, but borrowers--especially those with credit card balances--may see their payments


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A big change could be about to come to the housing market

A big change could be about to come to the housing market

The Federal Reserve has finally lifted interest rates from 0% and after nine years without a rate hike.
The potential ramifications of the policy move are far-reaching and span various American... http://flip.it/.1xJ7