Unlike most Germans, I am not a great fan of President Obama. But if he actually goes ahead with the announced plan to wind up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it would be a feat of epic proportions that deserves nothing but respect.

For some years now, several major German portfolio holders of residential real estate have been listed on the stock market - including companies like Deutsche Wohnen and TAG, as well as more recently Gagfah, GSW, LEG NRW, and Deutsche Annington.