At their peak in 2005, roughly 60 percent of all purchase mortgage loans originated in the United States contained at least one non-traditional feature. These features, which allowed borrowers easier access to credit through teaser interest rates, interest-only or negative amortization periods,...

Any conversation regarding the current financial crisis must include a discussion of home prices. After dramatic home-price increases through the 1990's and early 2000's, U.S. home prices began a severe downturn during 2006. During this time period of significant price appreciation, as previous...