• Is this a silly picture I found or a resume of a Salt Lake Tribune Real Estate Reporter?

With Utah's unemployment being below 3% for a year and under 4% for two years, the tribune is feeling it too.

• The story's headline, which said, "Utah's housing boom now a bust," was misleading and inaccurate. The story only cited statistics regarding home-building permits; the story did not mention existing home sales or the pockets of new-home construction that are doing well. The headline led Tribune readers to believe that all segments of Utah's housing market are doing poorly. If such broad generalizations are going to be made in headlines, the Tribune needs to include information about each part of the housing market in the story.

The Tribune article quoted an individual who said, " ‘People are afraid to purchase' a home right now," a misleading statement that could cause buyers to miss out on great appreciation opportunities. It's a disservice to the Tribune's readers to suggest that prospective Utah home buyers shouldn't buy now when the National Association of REALTORS® projects Utah will see home prices increase anywhere between 7 and 10 percent in 2008. That means the buyer of a $200,000 home could miss out on $14,000 worth of appreciation by waiting to buy.

The story suggested that Utah buyers have been unable to obtain loans when in fact financing is readily available and affordable. Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, with interest rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage near 6.38 percent, much more affordable than the double-digit rates seen over the years. For buyers who would have needed subprime loans that are no longer available, safer FHA products will be able to help serve their needs.

Utah has strong market fundamentals - good job growth, population gains and low unemployment, which will keep demand for housing high.

Real estate markets are complex and the Tribune's readers are not served by misleading generalizations that don't tell the entire story.