Interest rates and your home... THESE are the "good old days".

You've probably heard that interest rates are pretty good now... around 5% for a "30 year fixed". But check out what that means to you as a buyer. It's pretty shocking!

A $200K loan at 5% costs you $1,073 per month P&I (principle and interest)

If you want to keep that payment at $1073, here's the price loan you can afford if interest goes up.

6.25% = $174,000 - (2002 interest rate)
8.5% - $139,000 - (2000 interest rate)
9.25% - $130,000 - (1994 interest rate)

15% - $84,000 - (1984 interest rate)

Still wishing for the good old days? As a buyer, it's better today than it's ever been. You get WAY more for your money than ever. We will look back on these times as the best home buying days in our lives!

Flickr photo by Steve Wampler