INTEREST RATES DOWN THIS PAST WEEK

- AVERAGE RATE FOR 30-YEAR MORTGAGES DIPS BELOW 4%

Mortgage rates fell below 4 percent for the popular 30-year loan during most of the recent week, according to Freddie Mac.

The national average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate home loan stood at 3.99 percent for the week that ended yesterday, down from 4.08 percent the week before.

The 15-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 3.23 percent, down from the previous week's average of 3.3 percent.

~ The Columbus Dispatch, March 30, 2012 ~

HOME SALE PRICES STRENGTHEN IN CENTRAL OHIO

Home sale prices strengthen in central Ohio (Mar. 21, 2012) Sale prices for homes sold in central Ohio last month showed a healthy increase over the previous year. The average sale price of $151,072 was 7.3 percent higher than in February of 2011, and 5.7 percent higher than the previous month according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Buyer activity has been up while seller activity has dipped slightly,” said Jim Coridan, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Given the market conditions over the past couple years, sellers have been a bit reluctant to engage. But that could soon change as we head into the stronger spring selling season and the shifting landscape begins to register with well-informed homeowners looking to move.” Central Ohio housing sales were up in February for the second month in a row. The 1,215 sales showed an 8.0 percent increase over the previous month and a 5.0 percent increase over February of 2011. In addition, contracts for residential homes and condos jumped 21.7 percent over the previous month and were 57.4 percent higher than the same time last year. Source: ~Columbus Board of REALTORS~ Posted 3/21/2012

HAPPY ST. PATRICK' S DAY!

The Irish are a poetic race to be sure, with as many blessings (OK, and curses, too!) floating through the air of Ireland as there are shades of green on the ground...

When not using their legendary gift of gab to crack wise or tell a joke, the Irish also have no equal for bestowing words of comfort or encouragement.

Here are excellent examples of blessings that mirror the extraordinary tenderness and generosity of the Irish:

May the roads rise to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May you be poor in misfortunes,
and rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness,
from this day forward,
May good luck be your friend,
In whatever you do,
And may trouble be always,
A stranger to you.

May you always have work for your hands to do,
May your pockets hold always a coin or two,
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane,
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

If you haven't kissed the Blarney Stone and don't have the gift of gab yourself, here are a few collections of quotes, prayers, blessings and curses to add color to your toasts on St. Patrick's Day...

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go...

Source:  Chiff.com
Shared by "O'Colo" of Concord, NC, my good Irish friend since 1st grade.  Colo's Mom, "Bobbi" used to sing "Christmas in Killarney" at the top of her lungs, and enjoyed by all! 

History of St. Patrick's Day

History of St. Patrick's Day

Current Interest Rates......

National averages dip lower on mortgage rates......


     Mortgage rates stayed at or near 60-year lows for the week that ended yesterday, according to Freddie Mac. 
     The national average interest for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan stood at 3.88 percent, down from 3.9 percent the previous week.  The rate for a 15-year loan was 3.13 percent, a record low, down from 3.17 percent the previous week.

 - The Columbus Dispatch, March 9, 2012 -      

Attitude
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,
And noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.' So she did and she had a wonderful day.The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
And saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.' So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed
That she had only one hair on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.' So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and
Noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. 'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'


Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly,
And pray continually.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.


It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

-Author Unknown- 

Note:  This was sent to me by my good friend "Colo", from Concord, NC

LET'S NOT FORGET....

"Happy Belated Birthdays" to all of you "Leap Year Babies"!  "Miss Lira-Lynn turned "13" last Wednesday.  Lira was born on 2/29/60 and she is now a "teenager"!   "Happy 13th Lira-Lynn"!!

RATES ARE GREAT!

LOWER RATES

Average U.S. interest rates for this week were 3.90% on a 30-year fixed mortgage, and 3.17% on a 15-year fixed mortgage.

Source: Freddie Mac

- USA TODAY- March 2, 2012

Hi Everybody,

"Welcome March"!  With the month of March comes exciting things...."The Iditarod", "March Madness", "St. Patrick's Day", "The First Day of Spring", "The Blooming of the Crocus and the Daffodil, "The Kentucky Derby Prep Races", and more!   So much exciting stuff!  Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my Blog.

"Welcome March",
Molly