April 2003

A Publication of ELLIOTT® & Company Appraisers

 

Refi Boom Not Yet Ready To Bust

 

For the last couple of years, there has been an assumption that once interest rates stop dropping, refinancing of home loans will all but dry up. However, Douglas Duncan, chief economist of the Mortgage Bankers Association of American, stated that he believes refinancing will continue on a steady basis even after interest rates begin to increase.

Duncan pointed out that even without rate incentives, refinancing accounts for almost one fourth of the loan market as borrowers often take advantage of their home equity to finance other endeavors. Furthermore the costs of obtaining a loan has declined.

"This is not your parents' mortgage market," Duncan said at the MBA National Mortgage Servicing Conference.

 

Movement Begins To Separate GSEs From Treasury

 

Richard Shelby, chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, announced plans to hold hearings on the dependence of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on their lines of credit from the Treasury Department.

"Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have done a lot of good - socially and economically - but, more and more, I think people want more transparency and they want to know what's going on," said the Alabama Republican.

Shelby's announcement came in the aftermath of comments made by William Poole, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. Poole suggested federal lawmakers look into eventually cutting the lines of credit to government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Poole thought Congress should force GSEs to increase their capital over the years before the credit from the Treasury Department is eliminated. Poole made this recommendation on the basis of his belief that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are seriously undercapitalized and an "unforeseen shock" could put the market in turmoil. Shelby also expressed concern over the "ambiguity" of the relationship between the GSEs and the U.S. government.

Representatives from the GSEs quickly challenged Shelby's remarks.

"There is no other company in American with more stringent requirements to ensure its safety and soundness," said Chuck Greener of Fannie Mae.

 

Quotes of Wisdom and Wit

 

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."
     -Herm Adams

"The less we deserve good fortune, the more we hope for it."     - Jean Moliere

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."          
     -
Wayne Gretzky

"Wise men talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something."     -Plato

 

 

Contact Us

Newsletter Editor: kevin@elliottco.com   

Web Site: www.appraisalsanywhere.com

 



ELLIOTT® & Company Appraisers currently offers appraisal service throughout all 50 of the United States. Clients are encouraged to place orders directly to any office local to properties to be appraised or to the central office for assignment.

Orders may be placed via telephone, fax or through the company's Web site. All Internet orders will be processed through the central office.

Some Offices Are Independently Owned and Operated
 

3316-A Battleground Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410

 

 

 

 

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