24. Buy Now or Later? According to an article in the New York Times on August 9, 2008, economists were predicting that the average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage would increase from 6.7% to 7.1% during the next year and home prices would decline by 9% during that same period. In August 2008, the Johnson family was considering purchasing a $400,000 home. They intended to make a 20% down payment and finance the rest of the cost. What would their monthly payment have been if they bought the house in August 2008? A comparable house in August 2009?