If you’re in the market for a new home, now is the best time to buy. Mortgage rates are at historic lows, and home prices have bottomed out in most markets. This is a good week to buy a house!

Volatility in the stock market has investors looking for safer places to stash their cash this week. Despite the downgrades, many investors fled to the relative security of long term U.S. Treasury Bonds, pushing down rates.

Rates for mortgages and other consumer loans tend to mirror the movements in the U.S. bond market. The rates on 30-year mortgages are highly correlated with the rate of the U.S. 10-year Bond. Despite Standard & Poor’s downgrade of U.S. debt Friday night, investors still fled to long term U.S. Treasuries Monday through Thursday. The 10-year Treasury bond rate is at all time lows.

Tuesday’s decision by the Federal Reserve to keep the target federal funds rate low until 2013 was a result of considerably slower economic growth. This is the first time the Fed has pegged its low rate to a date and the announcement of the timeframe was aimed at calming nervous investors. A low rate is supposed to stimulate economic growth by making it cheaper to borrow money for consumption or investment. When investors have confidence in the market and have the ability to borrow, money flows out of long-term treasuries into stocks, bonds and commodities. Ultimately, this will causes mortgage rates to rise.

While people continue to worry about the market conditions, U.S. Treasury securities will remain attractive to anxious investors. There is no telling when mortgage rates will go up or how far they will rise. Homebuyers with stable incomes and job security should take advantage of the low 30-year fixed rates now. Buying a home now can allow you to make a significant positive impact on your long term net worth.

Click here to view our move-in-quick homes!

At Standard Pacific, we’re starting 2011 off right with a special rate for Raleigh home buyers! Come in to one of our new home communities this weekend to take advantage of these low rates.

Full details:

*This financing example is based on a 30 year fixed FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment and a minimum credit score of 640. The mortgage has a 1-0 Buydown with an interest rate of 4.75% (5.587% APR). Buyer must qualify for financing at the note rate of 4.75%. The interest rate is reduced to 3.75% for Year 1. Based on a sales price of $230,000 and a loan amount of $224,170 (including financed up front mortgage insurance), monthly principal and interest payments are $1,038.16 for Year 1 and $1,169.37 for Years 2 – 30. Monthly taxes, HOA assessments, mortgage insurance and hazard insurance are additional and are not included in the above payments. Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. **Restrictions apply. Non recurring closing costs paid by seller when financing through Standard Pacific Mortgage. Seller contributions toward buyer’s closing costs including seller paid buydown costs cannot exceed maximum limits established by loan program for which buyer qualifies.  *** This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101, L-146109-102.  South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions supervised Lenders License Number S-7,691. NMLS# 89607. Buyer must obtain financing and close with Standard Pacific Mortgage by 3-15-11. Available on non-contingent sales written between 1/14/11 and 1/16/11. Homes must close by 3/15/11. Prior sales excluded. See Sales Representative for complete details.

Take advantage of a great opportunity to own a new Standard Pacific home, this weekend only! StanPac is offering a 2-1 rate buy-down on FHA 30-year fixed rate loans for the first two years. The FHA 2-1 buy-down rate is available on all Raleigh-area Standard Pacific Homes, including our Quick Move-In homes. To be eligible, the home must be closed by 12/30/10. So here’s the breakdown:

• Year 1: 2.625%
• Year 2: 3.625%
• Years 3 – 30: 4.625% (5.51% A.P.R) FHA 30-year fixed rate
• Seller-paid closing costs**
• Visit one of our Raleigh-area sales offices this weekend for full details!

This weekend only, take advantage of this special offer on your new Standard Pacific Home! A 2-1 rate buydown for the first two years is available on FHA 30-year fixed rate loans. Available on all of our homes in the Raleigh and Durham area, including quick move-in homes. To qualify, you must close on your new home by 12/30/10.

For full details, visit one of our community sales offices in the Triangle. Click here for more info.

This financing example is based on a 30 year fixed FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment and a minimum credit score of 640. The mortgage has a 2-1 Buydown with an interest rate of 4.25% (5.158 % APR). Buyer must qualify for financing at the Note rate of 4.25%. The interest rate is reduced to 2.25% for Year 1 and reduced to 3.25% for Year 2. Based on a sales price of $200,000 and a loan amount of $194,930 (including financed up front mortgage insurance), monthly principal and interest payments are $745.11 for Year 1, $848.35 for Year 2 and $958.94 for Years 3 – 30. Monthly taxes, HOA assessments, mortgage insurance and hazard insurance are additional and are not included in the above payments. Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. ** This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101, L-146109-102. NMLS# 89607. Buyer must obtain financing and close with Standard Pacific Mortgage by 12-30-10.Available on non-contingent sales written between 10/22/10 and 10/24/10 . Homes must close by 12/30/10. Prior sales excluded. See Sales Representative for complete details.

This weekend only: 9/24 to 9/26

Own the Standard Pacific home you’ve been dreaming of – - now with a 4% (4.722% A.P.R.) Fixed for Life interest rate! This unique opportunity is available on both Quick Move-In Homes and homes that can close by 12/31/10.

• 4.0% (4.722% A.P.R.) fixed for 30 years
• Minimal closing costs
• Visit a sales office for full details

Payment information based on a 30 year fixed  FHA loan with a sales price of $200,000 and down payment of 3.5% for a loan amount of $197,343 (including up front mortgage insurance premium), and an interest rate of 4.0% (4.722% APR). Monthly principal and interest payments are $942.14 for months 1-360. Mortgage Insurance, monthly taxes, HOA and hazard insurance are additional and are not included in the above payments. Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice.  Restrictions may apply. This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101, L-146109-102. South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions supervised Lenders License Number S-7,691. Available on non-contingent sales written between 9/24/10 and 9/26/10 and lock rate by noon on 9/27/10. Extended Rate Lock a vailable on FHA, non-contingent sales with approved credit only.  Prior sales excluded.  Homes must close by December 31st, 2010.  Extended Rate Lock Promotion ends when funds are exhausted. Quick Move In Homes must be able to close within 60 days. Prior sales excluded. See Sales Representative for complete details.

To learn more about this StanPac special, e-mail Leslie Loveless at lloveless@stanpac.com or call her at (800)787-0414.

Available on FHA, non-contingent sales with approved credit only.  Prior sales excluded.  Homes must close by December 31st, 2010.  Promotion ends when funds are exhausted.  See Sales Representative for complete details.  Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice.  Restrictions may apply. This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101, L-146109-102. South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions supervised Lenders License Number S-7,691.

In case you didn’t see our tweet or Facebook post about it, The New York Times published an opinion piece last week titled “A Dream House After All.” Written by economist Karl Case, the article explains why, despite this tough economy, owning a home is still a smart move.

So why is it still a good idea to take the plunge into home ownership? Here are a few of the benefits of buying a home now, according to economist Karl Case:

• Home prices, on average, are down by 30 percent.
• Interest rates are hoving around record lows.
• The interest you pay on your mortgage can be deducted.
• Capital gains. If your home appreciates in value, when you sell it you’ll make money.
• Read the rest of his points here.

Plus, might we add, there’s a good reason owning a home is considered one of the American dreams. There’s security, comfort and happiness in coming home to a house that’s all your own (no matter where you choose to live…but we think the Triangle’s the best!).

If you’re shopping for a new home in the Raleigh area, you don’t want to miss Standard Pacific’s special rate! This weekend (August 27– 29), we’re offering Raleigh-area home buyers FHA 30-year fixed for life financing at 4.375% (5.077% APR).

E-mail Leslie Loveless (lloveless@stanpac.com) or call 1-800-787-0414 for details on this financing offer…or, of course, drop us a line on Twitter,Facebook or ActiveRain.Click here to learn more about new Standard Pacific homes in the Raleigh-Durham area.

This financing example is based on a 30 year fixed FHA conforming loan with a 3.5% down payment and a minimum credit score of 620. The mortgage has a 1-0 Buydown with an interest rate of 4.375% (5.074 % APR). The interest rate is reduced to 3.375% for Year 1. Based on a sales price of $215,000 and a loan amount of $212,143 (including financed up front mortgage insurance), monthly principal and interest payments are $937.88 for Year 1 and $1059.20 for Years 2 – 30. Monthly taxes, HOA assessments, mortgage insurance and hazard insurance are additional and are not included in the above payments. Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101, L-146109-102. South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions supervised Lenders License Number S-7,691. Available on non-contingent sales written between 8/13/10 and 8/15/10 and lock rate by noon on 8/16/10. Homes must be able to close within 60 days. Prior sales excluded. See Sales Representative for complete details.

If you’re shopping for a new home in the Raleigh area, you don’t want to miss Standard Pacific’s special rate! This weekend (August 14– 15), we’re offering Raleigh-area home buyers FHA 30-year fixed for life financing at 4.375% (5.074% APR).

This financing example is based on a 30 year fixed FHA conforming loan with a 3.5% down payment and a minimum credit score of 620. The mortgage has a 1-0 Buydown with an interest rate of 4.375% (5.074 % APR). The interest rate is reduced to 3.375% for Year 1. Based on a sales price of $215,000 and a loan amount of $212,143 (including financed up front mortgage insurance), monthly principal and interest payments are $937.88 for Year 1 and $1059.20 for Years 2 – 30. Monthly taxes, HOA assessments, mortgage insurance and hazard insurance are additional and are not included in the above payments. Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101, L-146109-102. South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions supervised Lenders License Number S-7,691. Available on non-contingent sales written between 8/13/10 and 8/15/10 and lock rate by noon on 8/16/10. Homes must be able to close within 60 days. Prior sales excluded. See Sales Representative for complete details.

If you’re shopping for a new home in the Raleigh area, you don’t want to miss Standard Pacific’s special rate! This weekend (August 6 – 8), we’re offering Raleigh-area home buyers FHA 30-year fixed for life financing at 4.00% (4.683% APR).

E-mail Leslie Loveless (lloveless@stanpac.com) or call 1-800-787-0414 for details on this financing offer…or, of course, drop us a line on Twitter, Facebook or ActiveRain.

Click here to learn more about new Standard Pacific homes in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Special financing available on non-contingent contracts written and accepted between August 6th, 2010 to August 8th, 2010.  Homes must close by August 31st, 2010.  Not available on prior sales.  Loans must lock by 12pm Monday August 9th. This financing example is based on a sales price of $215,000 with a 3.5% down payment and a minimum credit score of 620. The mortgage is a 30-year fixed rate FHA conforming loan in the amount of $212,143 (including financed up front mortgage insurance) with an interest rate of 4.00% (4.683% APR) and monthly payments of $1,334.56. Monthly principal and interest, taxes, mortgage insurance and hazard insurance are included in the above payments. Monthly HOA assessment is additional and is not included in the above payment. Interest rates, payments and terms of this loan program, and the sales price, are examples only and are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. This loan program is available through Standard Pacific Mortgage, Inc. licensed by North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender License Number: L-146109, L-146109-101 , L-146109-102.