Once again, you can find out the truth by yourself.

He has to make something up to cover his family expenses.

Remember that Freddie and Fannie still hold more than 70% of the all loans, you are living in this area and you can take the advantage of that.  You can ask your friends who are working in Freddie and Fannie about the real number and trend.  I am not sure if the housing price will drop in DC area.