
As I write this article, the Washington, DC, real estate market continues its solid footing. Prices are either stable or increasing—always a good sign for existing homeowners and real estate investors alike. But solid footing does not mean devoid of challenges, nor should it. In fact, challenges abound. If you are a first-time buyer trying to purchase a new home, you probably need to depend on your family’s financial help to afford it. If you are a seasoned homeowner trying to downgrade to a smaller place, higher rates on new mortgages make potential savings marginal at best. And if you are a real estate investor, the competition is tough, and you get outbid regularly. Do we need to order cheese with this whine, or can we rise to these challenges to learn and make money? Let’s have a reality check.