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American homeowners are not alone. The credit crunch has also affected Canadian homeowners. Banks there have been facing unacceptable profit losses as well, and they are making up for that by raising lending rates and reducing the discount they give on some mortgages. The mortgage rate discounts used to lower the amount of interest Canadian homeowners paid over the course of a loan, but thanks to the credit crunch hits those discounts are being withdrawn. The result is a higher cost in the long run for anyone looking to purchase a home. In the UK, credit problems are leaving homeowners with property that is worth much less than the amount owed on their loans. Many people have loans which guaranteed a fixed rate for a certain period of time then the rate could increase. Homeowners under those loans are now finding the fixed rate period near an end and they cannot afford the drastic increase in their monthly payments that will soon come. They have little opportunity to get out from under the larger payments since the credit crunch hits have stopped the banks from loaning large amounts of money. From London to New York, the large banks are raising lending rates while smaller lenders are opting not to lend at all, or only to those with top notch credit ratings. It is becoming harder and harder to get a loan as the credit crunch hits around the world, and that is not predicted to end anytime soon. The best thing homeowners can do is try to keep up with their mortgage payments and reduce other debts as much as possible, and hope the pressure is relieved soon. For at least the next couple years that is not likely to happen, so homeowner's will need to cut extra expenses as necessary to meet the demands of their mortgage. Many Americans have cut out cable television and disconnected home phones in favor of using only cell phones. Many in the UK are trimming back money spent on groceries and clothing. No matter what must be sacrificed to endure credit crunch hits this severe, it is worth the trouble to hang onto any property owned. |
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