Rising mortgage rates won't hurt US housing-Fannie Mae - 2004-01-23
Mortgage rates and inflation are likely to increase slightly this year, but not enough to dampen a robust U.S. housing market, Fannie Mae chief economist David Berson said on Friday.

He told mortgage bankers at an event hosted by New Orleans-based Hibernia Corp. that Fannie Mae had expected a small drop in home sales this year as mortgage rates rose, but with the economy "gathering steam" he was rethinking that forecast.
Read the full story at Reuters

Home market soars - 2004-01-23
The Bay Area housing market finished 2003 on a tear, with sales and prices hitting new highs amid low interest rates and strong demand, a real estate information firm reported.

However, experts remain concerned the residential real estate sector may cool. In December, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage hovered near 5.9 percent, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac.
Read the full story at San Francisco Chronicle