Historic Low Mortgage Rates and You

This writer’s customary commentary on green building and sustainable site design and construction is being pre-empted by the “green”, as in $$$, that may be available to you as the result of recent record low mortgage rates. These record-setting rates now are as low as 4.25% for 30-year, fixed rate financing, below 4% for 15-year fixed rate mortgages and as low as 3.6% for an adjustable rate mortgage. And while financial analysts and commentators have reported this news, none that I have seen have “connected the dots” to explain the significance of this temporary gift from the financial markets for anyone considering refinancing an existing home or purchasing another home.

Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Polluted by Feckless Politics

Understanding Maryland’s approach to improving Chesapeake Bay water quality is made easier if you put yourself in an alternate fictional scenario related to vehicle fuel efficiency:

Imagine that you live in a state that has decided to become the national model for vehicle mileage efficiency. A substantial majority of fellow citizens in your state drive Hummers, whereas you are among a small minority of state residents concerned with fuel efficiency and you drive a Prius.