IMF Working Papers

Resolving Residential Mortgage Distress: Time to Modify?

By Jochen R. Andritzky

December 17, 2014

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Format: Chicago

Jochen R. Andritzky Resolving Residential Mortgage Distress: Time to Modify?, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2014) accessed November 21, 2024
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

In housing crises, high mortgage debt can feed a vicious circle of falling housing prices and declining consumption and incomes, leading to higher mortgage defaults and deeper recessions. In such situations, resolution policies may need to be adapted to help contain negative feedback loops while minimizing overall loan losses and moral hazard. Drawing on recent experiences from Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and the United States, this paper discusses how economic trade-offs affecting mortgage resolution differ in crises. Depending on country circumstances, the economic benefits of temporary forbearance and loan modifications for struggling households could outweigh their costs.

Subject: Asset and liability management, Debt relief, Debt service, External debt, Financial institutions, Housing prices, Loans, Mortgages, Prices

Keywords: Central bank, Debt overhang, Debt relief, Debt service, Due diligence, Foreclosure, Foreclosure alternative, Foreclosure moratorium, Foreclosure procedure, Foreclosure process, Global, Housing crisis, Housing prices, Loan counseling, Loan modification, Loan renegotiation, Loan restructuring, Loans, Mortgage distress, Mortgage workout, Mortgages, Negative equity, Unsecured debt, WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    37

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 2014/226

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA2014226

  • ISBN:

    9781484395745

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941

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