Not a good thing when our fed govt keeps on mingling in 'free market.' Lowering the rate won't really help the market. Now days some banks' min requirements for purchases are 740 fico, 10% down on conventional, and 620 fico, w/ 3.5% down on FHA. Most applicants don't mind paying 6% or higher as long as they get approved... Approval rate is 2 out 3 and turn down rate is 3 out of 4.. scary numbers.

What's the point of making 4.5% rate available but the ones who can really benefit from it cannot even qualify.