Recent turmoil in the financial market -- specifically the sub-prime mortgage mess -- has focused attention on the impact that a bursting U.S. housing bubble could have on the economy. Dean Baker, co-director of the Washington-based think tank Center for Economic and Policy Research, explained in an interview how the market chaos may affect homeowners and what possible solutions are available. Here is an edited transcript of his comments:

No more! Some agents say they are done coddling stubborn sellers and fusspot buyers.

Attention, you picky buyers who think you have all the time in the world to house hunt before you ink an offer. (And this goes double for those of you who think that a listing price is just some silly number pulled from the air and that you can offer 30% less.) Listen up: Agents are mad as hell and aren't going to take you anymore.