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If you spend enough time reading the papers and watching the news, you'll notice a subtle bias when reporters talk about mortgages and real estate.

It's usually in the verb choice or use of adjectives.  Reporters serve up a healthy dose of connotation to go with the facts.

With respect to mortgages, you'll see talk about:

• Unscrupulous lenders making a "quick buck"
• Homeowners falling prey to mortgage lenders
• Adjustable-rate mortgage payments spiraling out of control 

This cartoon is another example.  It implies that interest only home loans are for people that can't otherwise afford homeownership.

That's patently false.  Interest only loans are used by all economic classes of homeowners -- not just those that "can't afford their homes".

Sure, there is some truth to the cartoon; there are homeowners that use interest only home loans to way to "get onto the housing ladder". 

But, let's make an important distinction here -- this cartoon is a statement about the homeowner and not the loan type.  It's also meant for comic relief.

There are other obvious examples of journalistic bias and it happens every day:

• Bias against adjustable-rate mortgages
• Bias against fixed-rate mortgages
• Bias against paying off your home quickly
• Bias against not paying off your home quickly
• Bias against using a mortgage broker to find a home loan
• Bias against using a local bank to find a home loan

Our opinions can be subtlely shaped by the words and imagery we absorb from news sources.  We would all do well to stop and ask the question: Stripped of opinion, what is this story really saying and how does it relate to me personally?

Every homeowner is unique with his own special set of circumstances.  If you're having trouble gleaning meaning from the news, ask a friend to refer a trusted loan officer. 

Get past the bias and seek the facts as they relate to you.

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Dan Green is an active loan officer. Email or call 513-443-2020. Dan is on Twitter at @mortgagereports.