Artful Dodger: I had an arm to purchase my first real estate, also no money down and no documents as well... I got 2 years of payment history and then refied into traditional 30 year with equity as a 20% down payment.

Point is, the sub prime worked for me, without it I would still be a renter, instead I now have an apartment building that pays for itself and a 3 br 2 1/2 bath home in the country with 2.6 acres (also bought with no money down)

anyway, not for everybody, and people have to make sure it works for them, be smart, but they do work for some people!