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Mortgage originations in the first quarter of 2015 marked a 17 percent year-over-year gain compared to early 2014, according to a recent lending report from RealtyTrac.

Originations were down slightly — 6 percent — compared to the fourth quarter of 2014, but low interest rates and the prime spring homebuying season is expected to bring more buyers into the market, RealtyTrac officials said.

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