Bank of America said it's extended its review of foreclosure documents to all 50 states, and will stop all foreclosure sales until the review is completed.The ongoing assessment, previously confined to 23 states where courts have jurisdiction over foreclosures, "shows the basis for foreclosure decisions is accurate," Bank of America said in a statement.

Bank of America had identified the 23 states where it is delaying foreclosures as Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin.All rights reserved. This content may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News.Use of this content without permission is a violation of federal copyright law. [Read the full article]

The economy and markets have moved into a situation as unstable as pre-Lehman, although unlike 2008 with a chance for a good outcome, a turn in the Great Recession.The forces and actors are a mystery to the media and most analysts, confounding many of the actors themselves. Some things are in plain sight: The 10-year T-note has nose-dived to 2.34 percent because of economic fear and anticipating new Fed intervention. Mortgages are falling toward an unthinkable 4 percent.The economy is sputtering along, but running out of time: The recession has cut federal tax revenue by almost $500 billion annually, and we must ignite the economy to close that part of the deficit gap before the Treasury loses its ability to borrow.All rights reserved. This article may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this article without permission is a violation of federalcopyright law. [Read the full article]

Editor's note: Marty Boardman is a Realtor, real estate investor and instructor in Gilbert, Ariz. He's the chief financial officer for Rising Sun Capital Group LLC, a real estate investment firm that buys and sells distressed real estate in the Phoenix metro area. He's also an accredited instructor for the Arizona Academy of Real Estate. You can read about his successes and failures on his blog, www.freerealestateeducation.com, or contact him directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .I know certain things. For example, I know that I should exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes. I know that I should eat a balanced diet of lean protein, fruits and vegetables. I know I shouldn't drink soda, smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol excessively. I also know I shouldn't speed on the freeway or talk on my cell phone while driving. I know I should floss my teeth every night before I go to bed and tell my wife that I love her. [Read the full article]

Last year, I unwisely committed to writing an article on mortgage insurance for an international encyclopedia. When all too soon it became time to deliver, I realized that the encyclopedia was looking for both a global and historical perspective, neither of which I had.I remedied my ignorance about programs in other countries by mining articles written by Roger Blood, who has consulted on mortgage insurance programs abroad and is an expert's expert on the subject.While mortgage insurance began in the U.S., programs now exist in some 34 countries, according to Blood's count. In 14 countries, the insurance is public; in eight, it is private; in seven (including the U.S.), there are both public and private programs; in four, insurance is offered by a mixed public/private entity; and in one, it is offered by a nonprofit. [Read the full article]