Before you read the rest of this blog, write down all the songs that remind you of your life. Don’t deny it! You know what I’m talking about — the songs that the first time you heard them spoke to you on some level.

Don’t read on until you have at least three to five songs, more if you like. The more variety, the more fun you will have.

OK, all done? Good. Read on!

I went to a science museum a while back. At one of the exhibits you could change the music score for different scenes in popular movies. I was fascinated by how changing the theme and tempo of the music would change the way I perceived what was happening in the movie.

For example, the scene from “Jaws” in which a girl is swimming in the clear blue surf isn’t nearly as intense with a happy Caribbean theme playing in the background — until the shark bites her, of course.

But even then, it sort of looked like they were dancing when you squinted through your fingers just right.

This started me thinking about how music and songs could trigger memories and feelings. What if we had a personal orchestra following us around to set the mood of our lives? Look through the list of songs you wrote down. Which of these would you choose as your personal theme song?

You might have several, depending on the situation. Your band might play a sitcom theme when you pull into your driveway at night and dramatic organ music when your best friend calls. Maybe “Welcome to the Jungle” describes your workday, but you’re more of a “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” on the weekend.

What music would you play for other people in your life? Does your boss’ theme seem to be the soundtrack from “Psycho”? And the new guy in the mailroom defiantly exudes that sassy salsa beat.

Try using the music inside you to change the way your feel. If you feel like your personal theme song is from “Titanic,” make a conscious effort to change the channel. If you want to feel funky and feel good, you got to have the music in you.

We have seen historically low home mortgage rates recently. Intrests rates at @4% allow buyers  to get a lot more house for the same payment than a mortgage at say, 9%.  which is the 40 year average according to the Wall Street Journal.

So a buyer who wants to pay $450 a month for  payment and interest, and locks in at  a  rate of 4.75%  could buy a house for around $89,000

A 1%  increase will drop his buying power by $9000.  Plus, instead of paying $75,401.05 in total interest for an $89,000 house,  he’ll  pay $84,986 for for an $80,000 house.

What do you think?  Will rates continue to rise?  Do you think housing prices will drop accordingly?

P.S.  For the morbidly curious, should rates indeed climb to 9%,  our buyer could only afford a $58,000 home and will pay $106,155.02 in interest.

If you’d like more specific information on the Topeka housing market or help getting pre-approved for a home loan, please contact me. I am happy to serve you.