The wonder of interest rates....

These days it seems that most any conversation I'm involved in lately turns to the question of 'How is the market?' Everyone is watching and waiting for a magic button to be pushed that will make it all better. I hear people say with hope, 'it will be a rough few months' or 'it will surely get better by the end of the year'.

I think we will be weathering this storm for a bit longer than just the next year.

However, I have to say, while ridiculous loans aren't falling from the heavens any longer, there are some serious great rates and fantastic opportunities to be had. Last week interest rates were floating at about 5.5%, rates haven't been this nice for a very long time. A few days ago I was reminded with a 25 year historical spreadsheet of rates and saw just how far we are from truly terrible. Interest rates hovering between 12 & 18 % on average for several years running and then the 'golden times' of 9 or 10 %! Seriously!! The first loan my husband and I had on our first house was just under 9%. To put that in perspective, that can mean a jump of hundreds or even over a thousand dollars a month MORE for your mortgage payment...just in interest. The higher the interest rate the less house people can afford.

If you're thinking of taking adventage of this buying power there may be no time better than now!

I won't deny the market is challenging, people are worried about their jobs and homes but our cloud is definitely surrounded with the sparkle of a silver lining right now. Thankfully those of us in the Willamette Valley have a strong base for our economic stability with government jobs, Universities and new business development coming in, we will feel the storm but I am confident we will survive.

Changing our Nation

New beginnings ~ as the dust from the history making election settles we are brought to our senses to realize that our country is only as good as it's mindset. It seems that as soon as the announcement was made and President elect Barack Obama came to the crowd the attitude and expectations changed. It appeared that a new hope was born, the belief that a change had come to our country.

I was talking with an associate this evening and she made an interesting statement. People wanted a change, they were ready for it and because of it the people of our nation will feel more comfortable and confident moving forward to put the country and their lives back on track. I paused and internally agreed. America is feeling refreshed and ready for a new start, new ideas, people will be ready to accept 'the change'.

Funny thing though, nothing really has changed but how people think and are prepared to view the possibilities of what 'a change' can do. We are still in a financial puzzle with our nations' economic recovery, we still have our men and women overseas in hostile territory, our nation still does not have improved health care. So what does a mind set change actually bring?

I believe it brings hope, positive momemtum, acknowledgement of our abilities. If we tell ourselves we can make a difference, we will. If we tell ourselves nothing is impossible, we can achieve amazing things.

Applying this to our own individual lives is where this will make the immediate difference, kind of the 'pay it foward' movement. Focus on what we want in our community, in our family and in our own lives. Focus on what you want, where you want to be, what you can do for others. It will happen, it is your mindset. Whatever you think about, will be what you make happen. Be positive, be kind, be productive.