It seems everywhere you turn these days, there is another disturbing headline or negative prediction in regard to the state of the national housing market. We are set up to expect everything from a recession to another great depression, and everything in between. How are we supposed to separate media hype from actual facts and how much impact does the press really have on whether or not people are buying or selling their homes? If as some believe, the decision as to whether or not to purchase or place your house on the market is largely psychological, the repercussions of negative media statements may be partially to blame on the slowed housing market in some areas of the country. In reference to last year's housing slow down, Ellen Renish, regional Vice President for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) stated, "What happened to us is the media". But, how accurate is the media's portrayal of the national market for your area locally?

As an example, while headlines warned of a widespread bottoming out of the housing market, a comparison last year between a number of East and West coast states actually showed many of the westerly states reported increases in appreciation upwards of 17 percent while those on the east coast saw a decline in home prices. In other parts of the country such as California sellers continued to keep prices high determined to cash in on the appreciation boom of previous years causing the market to stall for a time as buyers largely refused to accede to their demands. And while current value is high in the Midwest, with large homes priced to sell at around $200,000, there have not been any increases in the number of sales reported likely because of the high number of job shortages and the ramifications to the local economies.

Contrary to the picture afforded by the media, the NAR is predicting the latter part of 2007 will actually show an overall strengthening of the market nationally. It is rumored that the worst part of the housing slump has passed, with the neighborhoods that benefited the most now showing the largest subsequent aftermath. As sellers become more and more willing to reduce their asking prices and interest rates stabilize there will be an increasing number of good deals to be found. It is just a matter of knowing when and where to look and who to ask.

Logic dictates if you want to know the facts about an area, its economy, its resources or its housing market, you must go to the source. It is just not feasible to believe that you can make an informed decision as to the condition of an area's market simply by reading the opinion presented by someone who does not live, work or study the trends in that place. When you decide to sell or buy a house, be sure to contact a trusted real estate professional in that area who can provide you with the knowledgeable guidance and direction necessary to make the process an effortless and even enjoyable one. Even if you are relocating to a new area, your Realtor will be more than happy to connect you with an affiliate who specializes in that locale.

Just remember when it comes to real estate it is true what they say, it is all about the location.