… Pauline Millard of The Huffington Post makes it:

“… more than ever accuracy and knowledge of one’s subject matter is important, even as media budgets shrink…. The media will play a large role in [the United States economic] recovery, which is why it’s all the more important that what they report, especially when it comes to the housing market, has to be accurate and relevant. Now is not the time to find random numbers in obscure sources … and pass them off as gospel. It’s important to find sources to comment on both sides of the story, not just the point the journalist is trying to make on deadline…. Buyers may be fewer than in years past, mostly because mortgages aren’t being handed out like Cracker Jack prizes. These buyers are going to be naturally cautious, but they shouldn’t be misled by irresponsible reporting by journalists.”

We couldn’t agree more.

The sensational “the sky is falling” headlines are what sell newspapers. In short, if it bleeds it leads.

That’s often an unfortunate reality when it comes to reporting in general and real estate foreclosures in particular. The media has incredible power of buyer/seller confidence, which in turn affects their behavior and, ultimately, the market.

So if most of the reports that home sellers and buyers see are all “doom and gloom” then who can blame them for having pessimistic and anxious feelings about the big real estate-related decisions that need to be made?

No one.

Here’s the skinny: The real estate market is currently not the best it’s ever been, but it has been much worse. Interest rates are the lowest they have been in years and, more likely than not, so too are housing prices. And, as the report indicates, people are looking to buy — not everyone has run for the hills!

It’s actually a great time to buy if an individual and/or family has the financial means to do so. And more folks would more than likely realize that if that message was spread consistently.

In the meantime, try and read between the lines and see the real estate glass as half-full. Just check out Foreclosure.com for proof that we are indeed in the midst of an amazing buyer’s market … deals are around literally ever corner!