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Refinancing Fuels Loan Activity

Loan applications rose 8.2 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey.

Most of the increase was in refinances, which rose 14.5 percent, while purchases decreased 1.8 percent. On an unadjusted basis, the purchase index decreased 3 percent compared with the previous week and was down 3.4 percent compared to the same week a year ago.

Mortgage rates declined overall:

* 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.97 percent from 5.04 percent.
* 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.33 percent from 4.53 percent.
* 1-year ARMs increased to 6.83 percent from 6.79 percent.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (11/04/2009)

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Elliott Robinson, JD – Associate Broker
Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta
315 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Ste. 100
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 431-2117
Web: www.elliottyouragent.com
Blog – www.elliottonrealestate.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/elliottrob

rates

Credit Market Makes Economists Nervous

Interest rates are low and home prices are down, but banks continue to be stingy with loans.

At the height of the housing boom, seven out of 10 mortgages were approved. At the end of 2008, only five out of 10 got the green light. During the boom years, homebuyers could qualify for the cheapest rates with a credit score of 660. Today, they need 740 or better.

“Banks are going to be in a defensive posture for several years. Most borrowers can’t meet their criteria,” says Christopher Whalen, managing director at research firm Institutional Risk Analytics.

Consumers cut back borrowing by $21.6 billion from June to July, the biggest drop since the Federal Reserve began keeping records in 1943. That made some analysts nervous.

The reduction in borrowing could slow the economic recovery, says David Olson, president of Access Mortgage Research & Consulting.

“If they cut back, it would be catastrophic,” Olson says. “We could have a second downturn.”

Source: The Associated Press, Stevenson Jacobs (09/17/2009)

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Elliott Robinson, JD – Associate Broker
Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta
315 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Ste. 100
Decatur, GA 30030
o- (404) 564-5560
Blog – http://elliottonrealestate.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/elliottrob