Many experts agree the time may be right to purchase a second home because home prices are rising throughout the United States after decreasing by as much as 50% from their highs only a few years ago. Inventories for houses available for sale are also down in many markets, keeping prices buoyant. Mortgage interest rates are relatively favorable for prospective buyers, as they remain near their 40-year low of 3.37% for a thirty-year fixed interest rate, and near their all-time low of 2.65% for a fifteen-year fixed loan.