How drilling near a home can affect mortgage conditions

Previously I reported that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which insures home mortgages, has stated that "Operating and abandoned oil and gas wells pose potential hazards to housing" and won't insure mortgages for homes that are closer than 300 feet from an active or planned drilling site.

If you are interested in this topic, a recent article discusses lending institutions in New York State that are currently contemplating how to deal with new gas leasing on mortgaged properties. The president of one credit union said that gas leasing could lead to a potential de-valuing of property. Of course, we have already heard this from homeowners and realtors who cannot sell homes, including some individuals who have walked away from homes and left them to foreclosure.