Why are there so many foreclosures? Why would banks, the pillars of fiscal responsibility and risk aversion, lend money to people who couldn't afford to repay their loans? How did Wall Street manage to hide the risk and sell the subprime mortgages? How did the subprime mortgage business unravel and evolve into a worldwide liquidity crisis? What are the frauds and scams, how do they work and what should you be aware of? What is the forecast for the future and what conclusions can be drawn? You will find the answers to all of these questions and more in this book. It is an easy-to-understand and easy-to-read collection of analyses, stories and experiences about the real estate business, the mortgage business and the subprime market in particular.