The Mortgage Meltdown

Scott Pelley reports on the mortgage crisis that's far from over, with a second wave of expected defaults on the way that could deepen the bottom of the U.S. recession.

Mortgages Rates Hit an All-Time Low

May 28, 2010 — Mortgage rates could soon hit an historic low. But some experts say, act fast, because they won't last

U.S. Home Prices Fall

May 26, 2010 (2:01)

A report by Standard and Poor's showed that housing prices in the 20 largest U.S. cities fell by 0.5% from February to March.

Home Prices in U.S. Cities Rise Less Than Forecast

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index of property values in 20 U.S. cities increased 2.3 percent in March from a year earlier, the group said today in New York. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News projected a 2.5 percent advance. Bloomberg's Mike McKee and Betty Liu report. (Source: Bloomberg)

April U.S. Existing Home Sales Rose More Than Forecast:

May 24 (Bloomberg) -- Sales of U.S. previously owned homes increased 7.6 percent to a 5.77 million annual rate in April, the highest level in five months, figures from the National Association of Realtors showed today in Washington. Bloomberg's Mike McKee reports. (Source: Bloomberg)

Using Cash to Invest in Real Estate

May 17, 2010 — Tips for investing in real estate with cash and the pitfalls to watch for.

Foreclosures Down 2 Percent From Last Year

A foreclosure listing firm says the foreclosure crisis is finally showing signs of easing, but it isn't all good news. (May 13)

Squatters in Amsterdam The Netherlands

Squatters in the Netherlands have been tolerated by Dutch authorities for three decades. The movement has undergone rapid expansion over the years, but now a new law has been proposed aimed at making the practice illegal. If its passed, squatters could face the prospect of a jail sentence.In 1979, police used an armored car to clear an occupied house in downtown Amsterdam. The squatter scene spread rapidly to cities such as Zurich and Berlin. Squatting was soon tolerated in Amsterdam following the initial tough response as long as the house had been empty for at least a year previously. But now that tolerance looks set to end, with a new law aimed at making occupying houses a criminal offense. The squatters do have some respite though the current Dutch government crisis means no decision will be taken until the elections in June. The squatters plan to use this time to stage repeated protests.