Raleigh, N.C. — The national credit crisis has caused the perception that getting a mortgage is nearly impossible, but some lenders say the money is still there for people with good credit who want to buy a home.

North State Bank credit officer David Shipp said most banks still have the money and are continuing to lend to customers. Realtor Mary Ann Larson added that interest rates are “great” now.

“You will get a mortgage if you have a credit score that’s acceptable,”  Larson said.

The rules for getting a mortgage have gotten tighter, so it may take more to qualify, Shipp warned.

The Triangle housing market has a record number of homes – more than 14,000 – on the market now, Larson said.

Larson said people just haven’t been purchasing homes.

“I think people are just afraid right now. The economy is scary. We’re in an election year. There’s just a lot of bad stuff out there that people are reading,” Larson said.