Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

By 2011, 48% of Mortgages Will Be Underwater

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2009 12:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – Nearly half of US homeowners will owe more than their house is worth by 2011, Deutsche Bank analysts said yesterday, predicting that the number of such “underwater” mortgages would nearly double from today’s 26% to 48%. Their report stated that home prices will fall another 14% between now and then, and that those declines will have a huge impact on prime “conforming” loans, which make up two-thirds of all mortgages.

Underwater homeowners often intentionally default, leading to vicious cycles of foreclosures and dropping prices. But the doom-and-gloom report comes amidst signs that the market is stabilizing. According to one index, prices rose in July for the first time since 2006.

In this Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 file photo, a foreclosure sign tops a sale sign outside an existing home on the market in northwest Denver.
In this Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 file photo, a foreclosure sign tops a sale sign outside an existing home on the market in northwest Denver.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In this Aug. 14, 2007  file photo, a home is advertised for sale at a foreclosure auction in Pasadena, Calif.
In this Aug. 14, 2007 file photo, a home is advertised for sale at a foreclosure auction in Pasadena, Calif.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file)
A foreclosed home is shown in Mountain View, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2009.
A foreclosed home is shown in Mountain View, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Newser001
Aug 6, 2009 10:15 AM CDT
' By 2011, 48% of Mortgages Will Be Underwater ' - That's a very daunting prospect.
IndependentThinker
Aug 6, 2009 9:49 AM CDT
@Jayster999: You were ADDRESSING "Liberals will try to pin this on Bush, but big government and high taxes are the biggest factors." Hence it was your opening statement, then your follow up was about how to get out. That being said your are so very right on most of what you said. Can't kick out the illegals cause big food need them for harvesting and production. Unless you want to go out and pick strawberries.
Toon
Aug 6, 2009 6:19 AM CDT
If taxes were higher in the past and foreclosure rates were lower then perhaps its tax cuts are the cause. No more likely tax rates aren't related. Now if wages were to rise then more people will be actually be able to afford their current mortgage or to buy a new home.

More Newser Stories

$26B Mortgage Settlement a 'Modest' Help: Experts

Banks Ink $26B Deal to Help 2M Homeowners

Freddie Mac Bet Billions Against Homeowners

Home Prices Dive, Indicate Gloomy '12

Ex-Banker: Yeah, Collapse Was Our Fault


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne