Changes to loans and higher interest rates may be in the works-  With Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backstopping many loans, interest rates are seen as artificially low compared to a "free-float" purely market-driven system.  Going forward; there is a fork in the road-  On one hand; if Fannie and Freddie are shut down and private lenders take on risk without a government backstop; as is the desire of some in Congress; we could easily see a sizable increase in mortgage rates and maybe even the end of the 30-year loan.  On the other hand, there is a trend to loosen lending standards.  If there are no other changes, this should result in more buyers and a further increase in prices.  With the many moving parts to the industry; 2017 may turn out to be a pivotal year.