Don't Believe the Headlines

"If it bleeds, it lead!"  This old adage from the newspaper industry is demonstrated daily on the front page of the morning paper and the teasers for the nightly news.  If you are looking for doom and gloom it is easy to find but so are the rays of sunshine.  The Washington metro area is statistically at or near 100% employment and new jobs are being created daily.  According to NAR, for every two jobs that are created one new homeowner emerges.  Interest rates are at record lows, yesterday you could get 5.85% on a 30-year fixed rate conforming loan -- the lowest rate since 2004.  Inventory is up, buyers can visit a house a second or third time before making a offer, and negotiating price and terms is again common place.