Limiting the maximum amount of cash-out refinances to 80 percent of the current value of a home could significantly decrease defaults, according to new research by the Federal Reserve. Such limits on refis are already in place in Texas, with the Fed economist suggesting that the restrictions could be put in place nationwide, along with recourse provisions, in an effort to limit defaults. Steven Laufer, an economist at the Fed, looked into mortgage performance on a sample of properties in Los Angeles County ...