Key Questions:

1. How at risk is Benton, Oregon to the subprime mortgage crisis?
   1. There were significantly less subprime loans taken out by home owners in Benton, Oregon than the national average in 2006. That is to say, Benton, Oregon will be less affected by the subprime mortgage crisis in years to come as a lesser percentage of all mortgages in Benton, Oregon - 6.6% versus 12.0% - will reset to higher rates in 2008. This will mean that there will be less foreclosures caused by the reseting of subprime mortgages in Benton, Oregon than other areas of the US.
2. How stretched will home owners in Benton, Oregon be in paying off their mortgage?
   1. Homeowners in Benton, Oregon borrowed an average of 1.72 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 Benton, Oregon homeowners will default on their mortgage payments in the coming years.
3. Who are the leading lenders in Benton, Oregon?
   1. The leading lenders, by market share, are Countrywide Home Loans, Wells Fargo Bank, Na and Washington Mutual Bank. Do you have the best rate possible? Get quotes from mortgage lenders.
4. How likely are the owners of homes in Benton, Oregon to actually live in them?
   1. 85.3% of home owners in Benton, Oregon 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%.