Housing

Remember that special, $75 billion fund some big banks were planning to prop up the credit markets? Details came out today about how the fund will work -- or how it won't, as some see it. Amy Scott reports.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating whether Fannie Mae bought mortgages based on overblown appraisals. Steve Tripoli reports investors will be asking questions over a conference call.

The House of Representatives is close to approving legislation to encourage an alternative to private property insurance in states prone to catastrophic, natural disasters. John Dimsdale reports.

The Pentagon has awarded $20 billion-worth of construction contracts to fix on-base housing for soldiers. And business is booming. Dave Dewitt reports.

University of Iowa associate professor Katherine Porter has found that many homeowners in foreclosure who file for bankruptcy protection still face fees from mortgage companies that often have no documented merit. She spoke with Kai Ryssdal.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is charging Washington Mutual and a major real-estate appraisal firm with inflating home values nationwide. Bob Moon reports Marketplace looked into this -- over two years ago.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has sued a real estate appraisal company called eAppraiseIT for allegedly colluding with Washington Mutual to inflate home values. Jill Barshay reports.

A leading real estate index says prices for existing homes fell in August at the fastest rate since 1991. Meanwile, consumer confidence plunged last month to the lowest level since Hurricane Katrina. Amy Scott reports that some economists are seeing signs of a recession on the horizon.

Commentator Tyler Cowen says American banks have managed to protect themselves from the subprime crisis even better than you might have imagined.