Finding housing that is affordable is a challenge for many in the Washington metropolitan area. Longtime homeowners breathe a sigh of relief that they bought their homes when they did, and that their mortgage rates were fixed. They worry, though, that the current “soft” market will mean that their retirement plans will have to be put off because houses are not selling as quickly as they once did. Experts tell us that the housing market is cyclical, and it’s at the lower end of the cycle right now. That’s not much comfort, even if you qualify for a mortgage and can find a home to purchase.