California Housing Forecast

Realtor exposed as self-serving salesman. He blocks me from his blog, for asking how much prices dropped in the last downturn. (Hint: the answer is 40% for homes on the water, foreclosures all over Del Mar...) That's why he blocked me... the answer is too uncomfortable.

I like his blog, and would like to keep the link. But am I failing my duty to my readers, by promoting a realtor who puts his commission ahead of his duty to his clients?

Keep the link or ditch it?

He also seems to be under the impression that 'pending sales' is equal to 'actual sales', as well.

I vote to ditch it.

Another Q - do you like his blog?

Your point is noted....many pendings fall out of escrow.

However, we can use the pendings to gauge months supply, if we know the percentage of pendings that go through to closing. Lately, the percentage of pendings that is successful to closing, is falling.

BG tells me her realtor friend says she can't get any escrows to stick.

Another Q - do you like his blog?

Not particularly..

And as for escrows not sticking, I saw that at the foreclosure auction that was held by the REDC (Real Estate Disposition Corporation).

More than half of the properties didn't sell because the winning bidders could not come up with the financing to buy on the spot.

On the subject of actual sales..

The best website that I am aware of for the tracking actual sales can be found at mellissadata.com:

[Link]

Thanks for the link.

I just talked with BG. She's my friend. I'm gonna go with her recommendation. After all, why should I promote a guy who won't let me on his website?

He's outta here....

I would keep him. He is one of the better realtors and though, not perfect, is very helpful with data and opinions.

People are always free to click his link or not. Likewise, with Piggington. These are valid r/e links with reasonable, though imperfect opinions and discussions. They present other points of view and though they may have some bias at time, they are overall good sites -- just as yours is.

Let the marketplace of ideas prevail.

I agree with Evinx.

Also, doesn't the non-link (labeling a link as removed with the 5/28 date) actually bring more attention to that site? It makes it stick out as an anomaly.

Take me off

Lose the guy. Someone who cannot tolerate openness should not be catered to.

I think Jim's blog is fantastic. I read it more than any other blog. I've found very few sources of such helpful and timely information on the North San Diego market. Apparently he's not perfect, but I'm not looking for perfection.

Thanks for the comments. John Woodall is actually one of my friends, and I love that he's so open with me.

So now that Jim has asked to be "off"?.....now what?

I just put the "link removed" up there, so you all would know I kept them up long after they blocked me. The idea was to delete that in a few days.

So now that Jim has asked to be "off"?.....now what?

I think that you should honor his request and delete the sidebar reference to the missing blog link.

He is too sharp for this circus.

Done.

Thanks for removing the link. He's a jackass.

Also, Powayseller is much better looking than I thought. She's actually kind of hot. Can you include a full length picture please.

Thank you.

Walter in Atascadero

I removed the full length picture, as I need to maintain a professional image. I want people to take me seriously. But I was blessed with good genes and never went under the knife.

Just to follow up - I sat down a few times to get to know Jim, and am proud to call him a colleague.