ASIAN GOODS FACE A PLUNGE.(BUSINESS)

Byline: WENDY KOCH Times Union Washington bureau

WASHINGTON -- American consumers probably will see prices fall on products from Asia -- toys, electronics, clothes and cars -- as a result of the Asian financial crisis.

But the big impact won't be felt in time for Christmas.

Consumers buying a house or refinancing their mortgage might see an immediate benefit because the Federal Reserve Board, in response to the Asian economic turmoil, decided last week to keep interest rates low. The result: Rates on fixed 30-year mortgages are about 7 percent.

The Fed refused to raise rates to slow the robust U.S. economy because Asian economic woes are …