Key Questions:

1. How at risk is Kern, California to the subprime mortgage crisis?
   1. There were significantly more subprime loans taken out by home owners in Kern, California than the national average in 2006. That is to say, Kern, California will be more affected by the subprime mortgage crisis in years to come as a greater percentage of all mortgages in Kern, California - 15.2% versus 12.0% - will reset to higher rates in 2008. This will mean that there will be more foreclosures caused by the reseting of subprime mortgages in Kern, California than other areas of the US.
2. How stretched will home owners in Kern, California be in paying off their mortgage?
   1. Homeowners in Kern, California borrowed an average of 1.99 times their annual income for their mortgage. This compares to 1.83 for all of the US. Based on the national average, there will be a normal risk that Kern, California homeowners will default on their mortgage payments in the coming years.
3. Who are the leading lenders in Kern, California?
   1. The leading lenders, by market share, are Countrywide Home Loans, Wmc Mortgage Company and New Century Mortgage Corporati. Do you have the best rate possible? Get quotes from mortgage lenders.
4. How likely are the owners of homes in Kern, California to actually live in them?
   1. 88.2% of home owners in Kern, California that applied for a mortgage in 2006 live in their homes versus owning them as an investment property. This compares to the national average of 89.0%.