One of the hardest hit groups from the subprime crisis is not the middle class with some credit problems but the folks buying $500,000+ homes! Why? Because market liquidity is drying up and any loan over $417,000 is considerd "non-conforming" which means it does not fall into the safe category of "conforming" which is what Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac purchase ( and about the only thing wall street is considering right now). Rates have gone up on JUMBO loans more than 3/8ths (.375%) in the last week while conforming rates have gone down 1/8th (.125%). That equates to $126+ per month more on a $500,000 dollar loan while the "average" person will be paying $20 less per month.