"Not only have mortgage interest rates declined, but an expected rise in the second half of the year will be slower than in earlier projections," he said. "As a result, we now expect to set records for both existing- and new-home sales this year."

Lereah said the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage should rise slowly to only 6.1 percent in the fourth quarter and reach 6.5 percent by the end of 2006. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate dropped to 5.62 percent.

Existing-home sales are forecast to rise 1.6 percent to a total of 6.89 million this year from a record 6.78 million in 2004, while new-home sales are seen to grow by 3.2 percent to 1.24 million in 2005. At the same time, housing starts are projected to increase 3.4 percent to just over 2.02 million units, the highest level since 1973.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types is expected to rise 8.8 percent in 2005 to $201,500, while the typical new-home price should increase 5.7 percent to $233,600.

National Association of Realtors President Al Mansell said a rapid growth in the number of mortgage products and loan options is helping buyers to overcome down-payment hurdles.

"However, some of these loans come at a price of increased risk to the borrower," Mansell said. "In today's competitive market, it is even more important to consult with a professional who can assess loan risks and help buyers find both a home and a loan that is well suited to their personal situation."

The U.S. gross domestic product is expected to grow 3.5 percent in 2005, with the unemployment rate holding around 5.2 percent for the rest of the year. Inflation should remain modest, with the Consumer Price Index rising 3.0 percent in 2005.

Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income is seen to grow 3.3 percent in 2005, while the consumer confidence index is expected to rise to 104 in the second half of the year.

A study by the Mortgage Bankers Association showed both foreclosures and delinquency rates for mortgage loans have dropped dramatically during the first quarter of this year compared to the same time last year.

"The U.S. economy grew at almost 3.5 percent in annualized real terms during the first quarter of 2005, adding 180,000 payroll jobs per month. Combined with the low interest rate environment, consumers improved their household finances and the percentage of homeowners making their mortgage payments on time increased to nearly 96 percent," said Doug Duncan, the Mortgage Bankers Association's chief economist and senior vice president.

Duncan said the economic growth is expected to remain strong over the next couple of years. "Likewise, job growth should be steady in the presence of modest interest rate rises. These expectations likely mean we will continue to see moderate declines in delinquencies for the next few quarters," he said.

Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to gmeissner@silvar.org.