The media’s focus on real estate has continued into the new year, but as the good news grows, they have no choice but to report the good news before they spin it. Let me show you how to read between the lines and get at the truth in real estate journalism.

In the Myrtle Beach Sun News last week, the lead real estate article goes into some detail of local North Carolina and South Carolina real estate numbers, national numbers, local interviews and national generalizations. If you can read between the lines and focus on what is important in our local real estate market, and what local real estate experts say, you are sure to come up with something closely resembling the truth. I’ve taken that article and done this for you.

First, here is the article as it appeared in the newspaper. Note that the author switches back and forth between generalities, national hype and local news.

Once you strip out the generalities and hype, what’s left are only those parts of the article that are (a) local, (b) fact-based and (c ) direct quotes from local experts. Click here to see how the story changes.

When you can read between the lines, and focus on what is true and local, the news about real estate is much better for us here on the Grand Strand, and we have every reason to expect that the good news will keep getting better.