Real Estate Journal - "Lenders Loosen Standards Even as More Loans Go Sour" (10-20-06)

" Mortgage lenders are making it easier to get loans even as the housing market cools -- and as the number of borrowers struggling to make their payments continues to rise, new studies show."

"In the latest sign that a cooling housing market and weaker credit standards are beginning to take their toll on borrowers and lenders, the number of past-due mortgages continued to rise in the three months ended Sept. 30, according to data from Equifax Inc. and Moody's Economy.com Inc."