[sliverstorm]

It doesn't seem like there's anything radical about a standard, simple interest, fixed rate loan with no balloon payment. Setting aside questions of rate and term, your typical USA 20% down 30 year fixed mortgage is about as simple/ordinary/traditional as loans get.

Which makes me think it's not really any special favoritism in the US...

[emodendroket]

It's my understanding (which I freely admit may be in whole or in part mistaken) that such loans didn't really exist until heavy political intervention/the creation of Fannie Mae.