Postcards from the Lake

Archive for December, 2008

Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus is real

1897 editorial captures the essence of the holiday spirit

The following editorial originally appeared in The New York Sun in 1897.    All these years later it continues to capture the essence of the holiday spirit, and of Santa Claus in particular.   May you enjoy it along with me this year, and may a little bit of it stay alit in each of us throughout the coming year. ~ Melody

[We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun.]

Dear Editor:
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says if you see it in The Sun it’s so. Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon.  115 West Ninety-Fifth Street.

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and Read the rest of this entry »

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Author: Melody Anderson | December 24th, 2008
Categories: Lifestyles & Activities
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Fixed rates for home loans now below 5%

First National Bank in Camdenton posts lowest rates in 37 years!

Every cloud has a silver lining, and here is the upside to our down market:

First National Bank in Camdenton has posted interest rates below 5% for fixed rate loans including USDA first-time home buyer loans.    These rates are the lowest recorded since Fannie Mae began its weekly survey 37 years ago.    This means that it’s a great time to consider refinancing (In addition to interest rates, it’s important also to weigh the refinancing costs and the tax impact from reducing your mortgage interest deduction.)

It also means it’s a great time to buy.  Local lenders are lending even after many of the nationwide lenders have said “no”.  Plus housing prices are roughly 10% less than this time 18 months ago.

Will prices and rates continue to fall?   That’s the $24 question.   But the problem with waiting for prices to bottom out is:  one never knows where the bottom is until it’s past!

If you’re considering refinancing, or would like to talk to a lender to see how much a home you may qualify for, give me a call and I’ll be happy to send you a contact list for local banks.

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Author: Melody Anderson | December 19th, 2008
Categories: Real Estate News
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