More home buyers go with adjustable-rate mortgages

: "More home buyers go with adjustable-rate mortgages

WASHINGTON -- March 31, 2005 -- The percentage of homeowners taking out adjustable-rate mortgages hit a record last week, a milestone some economists say might one day spell trouble for financially stretched consumers.

Some 36.6% of mortgages, including refinancings and new purchases, had adjustable rates last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday. That's up more than 3 percentage points from the prior week and 9 percentage points from a year ago."