I believe that many homebuyers – those that believe they deserve the right to buy a home, particularly via a low down payment and FHA loan – are being led down a primrose path, only to find frustration, confusion and disappointment.

They have come to believe that nice homes in good neighborhoods can be bought at a pittance with a 3.5% or 5% down payment. In reality these buyers find themselves in shark-filled waters, competing with all cash investors, and lose out on a home that starts at a low price point, receives 26 offers, and ends up double the amount listed.

Even in the outer reaches of Fairfield, Pittsburgh and Brentwood, with large 2-5 year-old homes, time and time again buyers coming in with FHA loans are repeatedly beaten out by investors or financially stronger buyers.

I believe these FHA buyers are being completely ignored, and time and time again, they are being placed at the bottom of the pile. I believe that I am not the only one experiencing this phenomenon.

I thought these loans and tax incentives were for the hard pressed, the ones at the bottom that so believe in the dream of home ownership. Instead I see that these tools cannot truly help those realize this dream.

I feel my social worker background coming out and want to expose this travesty. Let me know if you are having a different experience; I would love to turn my skepticism into something positive!