02-20-2009, 08:31 PM
How about this for a simple solution?
Since the government pretty much owns all the banks, anyone who wants to can refinance their mortgage to a fixed 4% rate, payable to Uncle Sam. The government makes 4% and the banks get out of the mortgage business (unless they're willing to also refinance at the fixed 4%).
Now if someone still can't afford to make their payment, the loan in refinanced to as long a term as is necessary to bring the payment down to one they can afford. I'd even be willing to see a one year no-payment plan, as long as that addition year is added on to the end. If the market changes or their situation changes, they can make extra payments to make up the time added. People can stay in their homes, the lenders can still make a little profit, and no one feels as if (s)he's getting screwed. At least not as much as they do now.
Since the government pretty much owns all the banks, anyone who wants to can refinance their mortgage to a fixed 4% rate, payable to Uncle Sam. The government makes 4% and the banks get out of the mortgage business (unless they're willing to also refinance at the fixed 4%).
Now if someone still can't afford to make their payment, the loan in refinanced to as long a term as is necessary to bring the payment down to one they can afford. I'd even be willing to see a one year no-payment plan, as long as that addition year is added on to the end. If the market changes or their situation changes, they can make extra payments to make up the time added. People can stay in their homes, the lenders can still make a little profit, and no one feels as if (s)he's getting screwed. At least not as much as they do now.