One strategy for playing it safe is to shorten the duration of your muni holdings and consider owning bonds that are backed by a mix of general obligations from stable issuers and revenue bonds backed by specific cash-flow rich franchises.

FORBES: Is A Muni Bond Crisis Brewing?

Stable house prices would do wonders in reducing loan delinquencies, shoring up the banks' balance-sheets and restoring the flow of credit.

ECONOMIST: Signs of economic cheer