Again the Feds are stepping in

Research firm RealtyTrac says 850,000 foreclosed homes are already on the market and expects this number to rise by another 1 million homes in 2009, with 2 million more homes entering the foreclosure process during the same period.

“We have been trying to get, as you know, for some time in the previous administration (of President George W. Bush) for them to take steps on foreclosure mitigation.

“They refused to do so for whatever reason. I am very pleased that the Fed is stepping up,” Dodd said.

The Fed said it would consider reducing the interest rate paid on mortgages at risk of default, extending the term of the loan, and accepting “a deferral or reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the loan,” according to the Fed document.