Mortgage Refinancing: Report highlights dangers of real estate appraisal fraud - 2005-03-29
Demos, a non-partisan public policy group, calls attention to the consequences of mortgage appraisal fraud. Mortgage brokers, lenders, real estate agents and developers can exert pressure on appraisers to inflate home values in order to close a real estate transaction, the study notes, and consumers seeking to refinance mortgages of their homes can also promote inflated appraisals, the study notes.
Read the full story at Inman.com

U.S. Dollar scores gain vs yen; euro rises - 2005-03-29
The U.S. dollar lost momentum against the euro Tuesday, after a weaker-than-expected March consumer confidence reading led to concerns about potential drops in spending and economic growth.

Although the decline was steeper than expected, it already was well known that consumer confidence this month has been hurt by higher oil prices and a weak equities market.
Read the full story at MarketWatch