A credit crunch is a surprise reduction in the availability of finance (or "Loans"), which may be due to increased fear of risk, a change in market conditions, or even a tightening of under-writing. A prolonged credit crunch is the opposite of the good times lending practices when banks feel relaxed.

The credit crunch has followed woes in the US adverse lending sector, which specialises in supplying finances to people with bad credit histories or who are on low incomes. This lowers money supply, which amplifies a recession effect.

Experts are increasingly worried that the credit crunch in the adverse mortgage market could spread into personal loans. A credit crunch is what can happen when banks start storing cash.

Investors are concerned that fallout from the credit crunch in the US is much more widespread than originally thought. Major player Merrill Lynch has stated concerns of a world credit crunch as central banks around the world tighten banking policy, advising clients to be risk adverse and switch to safer forms of finance over the forthcoming months.

But the Fed regards the auction process was originally installed to ease the credit crunch and was not aimed at bailing out any specific lenders or banks. Here are some examples of how the property market may change, and some food for thought as to what could be done to stop the credit crunch biting too hard. However for people with clean and long standing good credit, (the credit crunch) will not have much effect.

The credit crunch has already claimed dozens of mortgage companies that have either gone out of business or filed for bankruptcy protection, including Unity and Kensingstons adverse lending arm. Underwriting policies will have to be tightened, firmer regulation and a reduction in wide consumer spending habits.

2008 could be a tough year, especially the first half. Lending policies are thought to be firmer. House prices could drop. Lending volumes could drop. And the general economy could suffer as public spending diminishes.