Call them nesters. Call them smart consumers. Either way, you"ll have to call them at their new number. They"re moving.

They"re the men and women who"ve looked at the national and economic turmoil over the past couple of months and seen an opportunity-to reevaluate their priorities and take advantage of historically low mortgage rates to buy a piece of a neighborhood and stability for their families. And help bolster the economy in the process.

Following a series of ten interest-rate cuts enacted by the Federal Reserve this year, mortgage rates are now at their lowest levels in more than 40 years, a phenomenon that has lured consumers to open houses and model homes around the nation. At press time, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage stood at 6.42 percent.

For home buyers, low interest rates result in lower mortgage payments. Often, this means renters can own a home with a great deal more space and many more amenities than their apartments offer for roughly the same monthly outlay.

Over the past several weeks, Americans have rediscovered a sense of community and the importance of family, friends and home. People shopping for a home are resolute about establishing a sense of place and permanence, and they"ve come to that decision at what is-from a lending standpoint-the best possible time.

The Talaska family, who purchased a Sacramento KB Home in mid-September, took advantage of the low interest rates to make their dreams of homeownership come true. "We feel that it is a great time to buy a home. With a daughter and a baby on the way, we didn"t want to wait," said Kara Talaska.

This fall, independent real-estate research firm The Meyers Group published an analysis suggesting that those who opt to buy are far from alone. "Expect more negative headlines and a decline in consumer confidence, but be prepared for housing demand to remain strong in many markets," the report states.

With the interest rates available today, it"s not suprising that families like the Talaskas are making their move. For every percentage point dip in rates, a buyer"s monthly payment can be significantly reduced. For many potential buyers, the lower interest rates can mean the difference between qualifying and not qualifying for a home loan.

Which is why it makes sense for families who are thinking about buying a new home to take advantage of today"s historically low rates. Those who believe it"s wise to wait until rates "bottom out" could end up missing their chance. And if rates should drop even lower, families who have already purchased a home can always consider refinancing.

Now is the time for consumers to take advantage of-from a lending standpoint-the best time in more than 40 years to purchase a new home. Today"s low interest rates will make the dream of homeownership a reality for many families. Those who wait, may miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.