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Discusses the risks for highly leveraged homebuyers. Observation that more U.S. homebuyers are borrowing a rising percentage of their purchase prices, contributing to the housing boom; Information on how much leverage buyers are taking on; Factors contributing to the leveraging trend, including so-called piggyback loans; How sub-prime lenders are offering leveraged financing to weaker borrowers in exchange for rates above normal; Risks in the event the market cools; Topic of defaults and overleveraged buyers; Impact on such buyers if they are forced into foreclosure; Why lenders do not bear default risk in most cases.

Discusses the report by Freddie Mac that the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell for the week ending November 1, 2002. Largest one-week decline since January; How falling mortgage rates affect home buying.

The article discusses the process of buying a home or an investment property. It explains the importance of setting the budget before buying a property. Andrew Moore of St. George advises a potential buyer to personally assess how much he can afford to make the repayments. He says this strategy will help a buyer decide on the right type of loan for himself. He also suggests that a buyer needs to be fully aware of all the other expenses including rates, repairs and maintenance.

The article focuses on home purchasing and financing strategies for physicians and issues to be considered in home buying and financing. It suggests ways to balance financial goals and debt, home financing and low interest rates, and explores the type of mortgage to take. It discusses mortgage financing programs available only for physicians, which have been developed as lenders recognize the ability of new physicians to pay their mortgages after medical school.

Warns that new mortgages come with a higher cost and with more debt. How these so-called cheap loans carry high interest rates and high risks; Observation that, since the middle of 2004, buyers have been migrating toward adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs); Risks of the interest-only ARM and the option ARM; Importance of home equity; Perception of the option ARM as the fastest growing and least understood of all the new loans; Why minimum payments are dangerous if you are struggling to buy your first house; Recommended Web sites for tips on mortgages.

Presents news briefs pertaining to mortgages in the United States as of March 8, 1999. Includes the results of a survey of homebuyers in Florida; Mortgage loans funded by California-based Countrywide Credit Industries Inc. in February 1999.

The article discusses skepticism among mortgage lenders about new rules from the U.S. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that will allow certain individuals who had their homes foreclosed on or sold through a short sale to obtain an FHA-backed mortgage within one year. John Robbins of consulting firm Robbins Group says that despite the FHA policy, he believes lenders will be cautious about making loans to those who have previously defaulted.