Questions on Mortgage Points and Rebates

What Are Points?
  Why Do Points Arise in the US But Not Abroad?
Must Borrowers Pay Points?

Under What Circumstances Does it Make Sense For a Borrower to Pay Points?
If Paying Points Is Viewed as an Investment, What Kind of Yield Can Be Expected?

What Are Negative Points?
What Type of Borrower May Find Value in Negative Points?
Why Is it Easy For Borrowers to Be Fleeced on Negative Point Loans?

Under What Circumstances Can Points Be Financed?
Under What Circumstances Should a Borrower Elect to Finance Points?

What Is a Fair Price For a 1/4% Rate Reduction?
Why Does the Price Go Down as the Rate Goes Up?
Why Is it a Good Idea for Borrowers to Make Rate/Point Decisions Early in the Shopping Process?

What Is the Breakeven Period?
What Are the Factors That Affect it?
Where Do You go to Find it?

How Do You Determine Whether Investment in a Larger Down Payment or in Points Yields the Higher Return?
What Is the Most Important Factor Influencing the Comparison?

What Is the Only Type of ARM on Which it Never Pays to Pay Points?
Why Is the Case For Paying Points Weaker on Refinances Than on Purchase Transactions?

Are Points Deductible?

Can a Borrower Who Receives a Rebate From a Lender Through a Broker Be Required to Compensate the Broker (Who Is Penalized by the Lender) If the Borrower Refinances?

How Should Points Affect the Way I Shop For a Mortgage?

If You Expect to Make Extra Payments in the Future, Should That Affect Your Willingness to Pay Points to Reduce the Rate? 

MY QUESTION IS NOT HERE.  I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT FOR THE PROFESSOR