I want everyone to be aware that we may see interest rates drop a bit after the federal government recently took over Freddie Mac and Fannie May. Two of the largest private financing institutions available to us for home loans. Because of the not so recent mortgage industry debacle, new rules and regulations and precautions are being implemented in an attempt to rejuvenate the economy. With the government getting involved and basically guaranteeing mortgages, investors will more than likely be lining up at the door to get a piece of the action. Thus competition for loans should increase and the interest rates should decrease. There has been speculation that we may see rates in the 5.5 % range again very soon. If that is the case, you should be buying the bigger home, downsizing or increasing your real estate portfolio while the prices are lower than they have been in years.