Falmouth, MA

Oh My Goodness! Last night the Falmouth boys' basketball team was firing on all cylinders, and they had a nitro conversion kit that kicked in after the first basket!

The link above goes to the Cape Cod Times article, written by Russ Charpentier, who captures the amazement of all the people who were there. Even the Whitman-Hanson coach said that Falmouth was in a different league last night.

It was fun to watch and got embarrassing at the end as Falmouth, who hasn't been this far in the state playoffs in 30 years! There is no one player who ran the show - they all passed, shot, stole, rebounded, moved, and encouraged each other to the 87 - 50 victory.

Of course I was glad to be there to watch my nephew do his part! We will be saying, "Remember that game!" for years to come.

Who knew my freshman daughter could high jump?! A few short months ago she was trying all types of track events. She dashed, she long jumped, and she even put the shot once. Then all of a sudden she was high jumping.

Well, at the MIAA State Meetlast week she placed 8th with a jump of 5' 2". This wasn't her best jump of the year. That was made at the regionals and was 5' 5". However, 8th in the state for a freshman with little experience is pretty good. "Well done You!" as some say.

The state meet itself was an example of organized chaos. Starting guns going off, warm ups all over the place, events all happening at the same time. But the coaches and athletes seemed to understand where and when to be so that each event could be completed smoothly.

Each of my daughters has unique talents. It seems that Hadlee has identified another one of hers!

Event 21 Girls High Jump
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Starting height 5' 0" with 2" increments.
MEET: # 5-11 1995 Heather Francis, Dartmouth HS
Name Year School Finals
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1 McDonagh, Kristen JR Mansfield 5-08.00 1.72m
2 Cronin, Moira JR Andover J5-08.00 1.72m
3 Clarkson, Janelle SR Seekonk 5-04.00 1.62m
4 Daley, Tiffany SR Algonquin Reg 5-02.00 1.57m
5 Tran, Cheryl SR Milton J5-02.00 1.57m
5 Hawley, Erica SR Walpole HS J5-02.00 1.57m
7 Ross, Lindsey SR Dracut J5-02.00 1.57m
8 Coker, Hadlee FR Falmouth HS J5-02.00 1.57m
9 Ondreicka, Merrielle SR Sutton HS J5-02.00 1.57m
10 Salley, Jess JR Andover J5-02.00 1.57m
10 Wagner, Jessica SR Plymouth So. J5-02.00 1.57m
12 Smith, Samantha SR Canton 5-00.00 1.52m
12 Collins, Amy FR Wachusett 5-00.00 1.52m
12 Bunker, Kristine SR Falmouth HS 5-00.00 1.52m
12 Hutchinson, Emily JR Newton North 5-00.00 1.52m
12 Laird, Haley JR Algonquin Reg 5-00.00 1.52m
17 Dryer, Kaitlin JR Ashland J5-00.00 1.52m
17 Sheehan, Julianna SO Milford J5-00.00 1.52m
19 Thomas, Rachel SR Watertown J5-00.00 1.52m
19 Cahill, Emily FR Uxbridge J5-00.00 1.52m
19 Rybacki, Kayla JR E. Longmeadow J5-00.00 1.52m
19 Mattson, Emily SO Shepherd Hill J5-00.00 1.52m
-- Roberts, Bianca JR Bmc Durfee NH
-- Wong, Rachel JR Wakefield NH
-- Forster, Rosie SR Andover NH
-- Roberts, Kristen SR Marlborough NH
-- Tierney, Eileen JR Wareham NH

Home Value Update for Falmouth MA 02540 Through January 2010

According to Trulia.com, the current average listing price of homes for sale in Falmouth, MA is $742,138, while the current mean sales price of homes is $424,125. Sale prices of single family homes in Falmouth, MA have increased 1.2% in the past year through the end of January 2010. Below is a chart of the trend of listing prices of homes for sale in Falmouth, MA, in the past year through January 2010:

Falmouth Recently Sold Homes

The homebuyer tax credit is set to expire on April 30, 2010. In addition, mortgage rates are still at near historic lows. So, there's no better time than now to buy a home in Falmouth, MA, or surrounding area. If you're looking for a home or condo to purchase in Falmouth or the surrounding area, then try this home search.

You can still buy a home with no money down with a VA Loan or with a USDA Rural Development Home Loan. With the FHA Mortgage program, you can purchase a home with as little as 3.5% down. When you're ready to buy a home, find out how much house you can afford to buy in Falmouth or in the surrounding area.

If you're 62 or older and are looking for money to finance a home improvement, pay off your current mortgage, supplement your retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses, then consider getting a reverse mortgage. Find out how a reverse mortgage can use the equity in your home in Falmouth to pay you. You can even purchase a home with a reverse mortgage.

Mortgage Rate Forecast for Falmouth MA for February 26, 2010

Here are some of the events affecting mortgage rates today in Falmouth, MA.

What Mortgage Backed Securities Are Doing Today:

• The price of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon opened at 100.91 this morning - down 2/32 from yesterday's close.
  
  
  
• At 9:30, the 4.5% MBS coupon was trading at 101.06 - up 5/32 from its opening.

Price Trend in Mortgage Backed Securities:

The chart below shows the price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon over the past 30 days from 1-27-2010 to 2-26-2010:

Remember, on mortgage backed securities (MBSs), as the price goes up, the yield comes down - and so do mortgage rates. I expect that mortgage rates will be 0.125% - 0.250% better in price this morning as compared to yesterday.

Economic Reports, News, and Events Affecting Mortgage Interest Rates Today:

• First Revision to the 4th Quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the GDP in the 4th Quarter of 2009 grew at an annualized rate of 5.9%, the highest in 7 years. While this is good news, the growth is not expected to last. The increase in GDP is due primarily to an increase in inventories that were depleted last year, not from increased consumer spending. So far, this has been a jobless recovery, and unemployment in recent weeks has been increasing. As confidence remains low and unemployment remains high, it's not expected that consumers will be purchasing more goods again any time soon. While significant, the data usually does not have an impact on the mortgage market or mortgage rates unless it varies greatly from forecasts.
  
  
• University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment - a reading this morning of 73.6 indicates that consumer sentiment fell 7% this month. The reading was 74.4 in January. This index measures consumer willingness to spend and can usually have enough of an impact on the financial markets to change mortgage rates. While this report indicates that consumers are less likely to make purchases, it had no impact on the mortgage market this morning.
  
  
• Existing Home Sales Report - released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), this report will provide us with a measurement of housing sector strength and mortgage credit demand. Existing home sales fell 7.2% in January, and follows a decline of 16.7% in December. Existing home sales fell to an annualized rate of 5.05 million in January, down from the annualized rate of 5.45 million in December. Meanwhile, the inventory of homes for sale increased from 6.5 months to 7.2 months. While significant, this data usually does not have an impact on the mortgage market.

What's Happening With Mortgage Interest Rates Today:

Moderate to High Volatility. Mortgage rates are again off their historic lows. It appears that the overall economy is improving. The Fed raised the discount rate last week by a 1/4 point. Also, the Fed continues to auction Treasury Notes and Bonds to pay for the increasing massive government debt, all of which contributes to the fear of inflation. In addition, the Fed is winding down their purchases of mortgage backed securities which is slated to end on March 31st. As such, there's very little potential for lower mortgage rates.

If you have not yet locked in your mortgage rate yet, please proceed with caution and maintain contact with your mortgage professional as mortgage rates can change for the worse - often without notice.

If you're happy with the interest rate being offered to you and if you don't want to risk mortgage rates moving higher, then you should apply and lock in today. It's better to have locked when you should have floated than it is to float when you should have locked.

Get current mortgage rates for Falmouth, MA.

WOW. Sometimes you just have to say it...WOW!

When the Haiti Earthquake rocked our world, literally. The World responded. The Falmouth Rotary made headlines by taking a Shelter Boxand holding a 24 hour vigil on the Common in downtown Falmouth. Brave Rotarian's and Young Professionals slept in the tent 'City' while the temperatures sunk to 12 degrees. The goal was to raise enough money to send as many Shelter Boxes to Haiti as possible from our small Cape Cod Community.

That effort raised 8,000 dollars which meant 8 shelter boxeswould be sent from Falmouth Rotary to Haiti which translates into 80 people would have shelter and supplies from the Shelter Boxes.

Well, the local 4th grade class decided to join in the effort and held a book sale with all proceeds to go to the Shelter Box effort. Unbelievable. The Falmouth Rotary supported with some of our members purchasing books, installing a shelter box at the book sale and showing up to help with the press for the event.

Those 4th Graders raised over $2,000 dollars to add to the Falmouth Rotary's efforts. Amazing.

Two more boxes... off to Haiti... Over 30,000 boxes to date have gone from USA via Rotary International to Haiti to provide much needed Shelter. Thank you 4th Graders!