1.   Without prior purchase there was little opportunity to invest in land, except for those professionals tapping its rising value indirectly through offering mortgages.

2.   Among other things, the government is pushing banks to offer home mortgages, a novel concept here.

3.   Bank of New York Mortgage Co. offers mortgages for unit owners in qualifying co-ops.

4.   A few lenders, including Bank of America and Home Savings Bank, now offer mortgages with prepayment penalties.

5.   During the last decade, lenders have begun offering many mortgages that require almost no down payment but that include relatively high monthly payments as a result.

6.   For the first time, the central bank agreed to allow local banks to offer mortgages to foreign buyers.

7.   In the past, American mortgage companies refused to offer mortgages in Mexico because of the potential complications of foreclosing on property across an international border.

8.   Moscow and St. Petersburg are both beginning to offer mortgages, giving home buyers a chance to spread housing costs over many years.

9.   Over the last six months, eight start-up companies, including Mortgage.com, Homespace.com, Loanz.com, Onloan.com, eJumbo.com, and IOwn.com, have stopped offering mortgages.

10.   Prudential has applied for a license to take deposits which would allow it to offer mortgages and direct banking services by the end of this year.