Mortgage company agrees to change lending practices - 2006-03-22
Ameriquest Mortgage Co., the nation's biggest provider of high-interest rate loans to home buyers, has agreed to a judgment that will have it clearly disclose loan terms and fees, not alter appraisals and put aside $26.6 million to pay restitution to California customers. The judgment, entered Tuesday in Alameda County, highlights terms of a previously announced $325 million deal between Ameriquest and prosecutors in 49 states.
Read the full story at Contra Costa Times

New way to bet on real estate - 2006-03-22
There's finally going to be an effective way to cash in on the housing price bonanza or to guard against its decline without going through the complicated business of actually buying and selling properties. Now you can acquire derivatives on home prices through the S&P CME Housing Futures and Options.
Read the full story at CNN International