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Misinformation in the News

By
Real Estate Agent with Sky Realty South Austin

OK... I admit Im a news junkie, I turn the TV from CNN, FOX news, ABC news, CBS news, back to NBC news, sometimes I watch other stuff  too ...  like  CSI Miami, but the tv is background noise for me, and I flip channels here and there... meantime  I get alot of information from various viewpoints. 

This morning while listening, I rarely watch it, I heard an analysts speaking about the houseing market, OK, we know the media rarely has good news about the housing market, but this segment was fairly positive, until the anaylyst stated, well if you are buying a $200,000 house or an $800,000 house the $8000 tax credit is sure to be helpful.

HUH, then I did turn around and look,  because we have all blogged our hearts out about the $8,000 tax credit being a bonus, a good thing for a first time home buyer, but never have I been able to figure out how someone with an income of $75,000 can buy an $800,000 house.  Maybe I'm missing something here? Can someone explain this to me?

Just another example of people getting the story from someone who doesn't know or realize or understand the whole picture.  Making misunderstanding and confusing statements to the buying public is not good journalism.  (Even if they thought they were doing us a favor).  Don't muddy the waters, don't misrepresent the facts just to make it sound good, because somewhere someone is going to have to try to explain away your error.  After all, we heard it on the news. (bytheway, I heard it on CNN

Posted by

South Austin Real Estate

Comments(12)

Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

nail on head for you Gail ...we all are trying to correct and clarify  the incorrect (media) information!

Confusion and fear are the #1 Reason for the paralysis buyers are feeling..they just cant make a "move' or decision because of all the mixed messages.

Mar 28, 2009 02:32 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Are you telling me that the media "creates" the news? instead of getting facts? hmmmm....shocking! :)

Mar 28, 2009 02:35 AM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

Michele, I agree, the media with its Professional Journalist are very much to blame for the confusion and fear in alot of our market.

Karen, I know, Iknow.  :)  :). 

Mar 28, 2009 02:41 AM
Brian Lee Burke
Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO
Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Isn't that that truth. It's confusing as it is then add some sugar and spice = news and you get, well "news". ~Rita

Mar 28, 2009 02:46 AM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

Kenna, oh so true, just fix it up as you go along.  In our information society is absurb what passes as information.  :)

Mar 28, 2009 02:50 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Gail - Perhaps it's not really misinformation if you think of married couples qualifying for the tax credit if they make $150,000 or less.  With a 20% down payment, they would probably qualify for a home in that range.  However, the $8000 wouldn't provide much incentive for someone in that boat.

Mar 28, 2009 02:53 AM
Suesan Jenifer Therriault
JTHIS-Professional Home Inspection Team - Blakeslee, PA
"Inspecting every purchase as if it were my own".

Gail, isn't it the truth. Whatever happened to the days of responsible journalism. I think Karen's right, instead of reporting the news, they just make up the news.

Mar 28, 2009 02:56 AM
Connie Lou Barnett
Real Living/Home Realty - Owensboro, KY
GRI,CRS,CRB,SRMM,ARA,PRS,SFR,QSC

I think the Media causes a lot of problems by talking about their opinions instead of the facts.

Mar 28, 2009 03:30 AM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

Jason, at 20%down that would reduce the principal to $640,000 could still be iffy.. but perhaps you are right. Certainly a thought.  Thanks for stopping in this morning.

Suesan, I believe there is not much responsible reporting nowdays.  and Even LESS real journalism, yet those are the folks who could help turn around the economy with some real helpful articles.  Maybe helpful doesn't sell though.

Mar 28, 2009 03:32 AM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

Connie, opinions and wishful thinking perhaps.

Mar 28, 2009 03:46 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I don't think there has ever been much of a shortage in the way of misinformation on the news. I usually get a kick out of their "experts" on a lot of topics.

Mar 28, 2009 08:02 AM
Jay-Paul Lowry
Riverside, CA

perhaps he meant a couple. i believe that tax credit goes up to $150k for married couples. but it wouldnt be a suprise to me if the drive by media was wrong again.

 

JP Lowry--President--Preferred Financial Funding

Mar 29, 2009 05:37 AM