IRVINE, CA—The threat of rising interest rates and fewer cash buyers to compete with are two of the factors leading to the recent increase in home-loan originations, RealtyTrac's VP Daren Blomquist tells GlobeSt.com. We chatted exclusively with Blomquist about other factors causing this increase and other trends in home loans.

GlobeSt.com: Aside from the FHA premium reduction, what other factors do you feel are causing the rise in home loans?
Blomquist: The threat of rising interest rates is also motivating potential homebuyers to get off the fence and buy and homeowners to refinance. Also, cash buyers are pulling back on their purchases, so a financed buyer is less likely now to get beat out by a cash buyer.
GlobeSt.com: Do you anticipate that this trend will continue?
Blomquist: Yes, at least until interest rates rise, and possibly even beyond that depending on how fast and far the interest rate increase turns out to be.
GlobeSt.com: What do you see as the main cause of the rise in refinancings?
Blomquist: A dip in interest rates earlier this year after they nudged up in 2014 made refinancing more financially shrewd for another pool of homeowners. And also the threat of rising interest rates is moving more homeowners to act now rather than later on refinancing.

GlobeSt.com: What other trends do you see emerging in home loans?
Blomquist: Home-equity lines of credit continue to rise and were at their highest level since the fourth quarter of 2008 in Q2—a nearly seven-year high—as homeowners regain the equity and the confidence to leverage their home's value.