"NO!" says a recent study by the University of Akron, Ohio.

A recent New York times story "What's Lurking In Your Countertop?" highlighted one purchaser that ripped out her granite countertops because her inspector suggested the levels of uranium in it were too high for her pregnant daughters health. This story angered many in granite/marble industry, such as the Marble Institute of America, who say the story "follows the playbook used by two of the largest synthetic stone manufacturers who seek to increase their own sales by raising fears about natural stones".

The facts are this:

While granite is known to contain uranium (which can produce radon) and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.

The frenzy created by this NY Times story helped sell their paper and create a buzz, which is exactly what they wanted to do ... but, I'll trust the academic and health researchers over a journalist seeking a shock-factor article.

To spur activity in the real estate sales market, the federal government has once again stepped up to the plate ... and struck out, in my opinion.

In an attempt to help 1st-time homebuyers, the gov't is offering a $7500 tax credit for qualifying purchasers (call for details) ... it has to be paid back, so it's just a short-term loan of sorts ... but, given the state of our national debt, and the other more critical areas of need, is it really the government's responsibility to interject funds here?

We just don't get it, do we? One of the main reasons the housing market is slow now is due to the concept that everyone "deserves" to be a homeowner. Just a few years back, everyone with a heartbeat and a 500 credit score qualified to buy a home. Now, there are more foreclosures than ever. That very sense of entitlement is how we dug ourselves this hole to begin with ... and to fix it, the gov't has just picked up a larger shovel by throwing more money at the problem and encouraging more and more people to buy.

Now, don't get me wrong ... as a Realtor, I hope this program increases sales, and I would be happy to share the details of the program with anybody that has an interest ... but, as a tax-paying citizen with a sincere interest in the well-being of our economy as a whole, I just don't think this is the long-term answer.