Q: You've shown us houses off and on for a couple of years.

At this point, we think that maybe we just won't ever be able to buy on Vashon. We're thinking of moving to Tacoma where we can afford a house. It's very sad to leave the Island, but the media has us really scared about the high interest rates and the foreclosures and everything. We can get a condo in Tacoma pretty cheap.

A: I would encourage you not to give up on Vashon. As I recall, you were qualified for up to $350,000 the last time you were looking. We have about 25 homes under $350,000 at this time, the highest inventory in that price range for many years. Many of these homes are in good locations and in excellent condition.

Regardless of what the media is saying, there are excellent conventional loans available at very low interest rates. In addition, the FHA has just come out with some excellent packages to help folks with low down payment still get into a home.

There is a lot of hype about real estate these days, but Washington State remains a strong market and Vashon Island even stronger. Our inventory of homes is up, which is a bonus for buyers. Properly priced homes are still selling and buyers are getting good loans.

I find it frustrating that after waiting for years to have a decent inventory of nice homes to sell, we are having trouble getting buyers to come out and take a look. That is especially true in the lower price ranges. Now is the time we've been waiting for! Investors are certainly taking advantage of the situation to buy up these properties for rentals, but lower income buyers are scared off by the news media.

Don't be fooled by all the hype. This is a good time to buy and become homeowners instead of permanent renters. I don't want to disparage Tacoma, which is a great city with lots to offer, but let's face it: it isn't Vashon Island.