Bubbleinfo is going back on the air!
We’re going to kick off the this year’s edition of blog talk radio with a couple of all-star heavyweights in the real estate blogosphere:
Re-scheduled – now Tuesday, January 10th, 8pm: Bill McBride, Calculated Risk
Monday, January 23rd, 8pm: Rich Toscano, Piggington.com
You’ll be able to ask questions or comment live on the 60-minute shows by calling (347) 884-8330, or you can tune in right here – they will be live-streaming on the blog.
Do you have questions or topics worth discussing? Leave them below in the comment section!
Awesome! Might I also recommend that you stream live video in Justin.tv? All you need is a webcam and a mic. As well know, video does the best job of pulling people in.
Hi JtR,
As a topic, I was wondering if you had round percentages on certain price ranges that your clients are buying that fit in different age brackets.
Retirees? Young white collard folks with kids/no kids?
Are you seeing any potential buyers running away from prices choose to head east of the 15 for more ‘value’ buys in older areas like Santee?
Great start! See if you can get Tom Tarrant in there sometime, too.
+1 on video stream.
I’m curious about some of the economics of blogging, Is it all for the love, does it drive customers to JTR? Do you track the return on your time? Moderating comments a hassle? JTR why did you split your site into public, private? Does this weaken your public site. CR also had a private housing report that was subscriber only (was that scrapped?) Maybe CR could also comment on getting advertisers on his site…
Looking forward to the show.
you stream live video in Justin.tv
I don’t mind because I am a former champion nosepicker but in a talk-show format, what else is there to see? Is there anything specific?
Question for the show:
Will a new SD mayor have any affect on housing prices?
As a warm-up, I’ll handle some of these here:
Are you seeing any potential buyers running away from prices choose to head east of the 15 for more ‘value’ buys in older areas like Santee?
No, I’d say that the vast majority of buyers we work with are buying in the same general neighborhood they live in, or trying to get a tad closer to work.
I have had a few out-of-towners who rely on mt recommendations for location but usually have enough knowledge that they know about where they want to live.
Some of the problem is that there isn’t a big benefit in going east.
For every dollar you save there are tradeoffs that hurt – longer drive to work (more gas that is going higher in $$), hotter weather, and different schools.
Schools are the big driver, because most buyers are younger (ages 30-50) professionals with little kids.
If you go way out, like Santee, Ramona, Valley Center, etc., you get more for your money, but it is so different there that those buyers probably weren’t looking at the coast to begin with.
But I have had many who opt for the in-between, like Scripps Ranch, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, Vista, SEH, etc., which I think are all good alternatives. But as in all areas, you have to be patient to scoop up the right house, at the right price.
It’s not necessarily anything to “see”, but to engage someone fully, you have to have people occupy two senses. That is why radio works well in the car. Your sight is engaged, so you get focused on the audio. If I am sitting at home on my laptop, too many other things will try to take my focus. Radio doesn’t work so well at home. I’ll still be listening, too.
To answer Jakob – yes he gets clients due to this web site. In 2004 a roommate turned me on to piggington which lead to CR and then JTR. Fast forward to 2010 when we sold and bought a house through Klinge Realty. It’s advertising in a way that is interesting and informative -but gets the name out there. And you feel like you know the personalities and ethics that you are getting involved with (and what you see is what you get, I’d recommend Jim and Klinge to anyone in this area).
And after reading Jim’s comments I guess we’re different in that I ended up with a longer commute but better school district and neighborhood which were more important to us and our young kid (tho he doesn’t know that yet).
Thanks maynard!
Thanks for making a key point. I’ve been frustrated lately by people telling me ( a couple of more this week) that they really appreciate the blog, but they use another realtor.
With me you know what you get – a long-time veteran who takes a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done right.
What has the other agents shown? Do you know anything about them, and their qualifications – or ask them how many houses they sold last year? The agent competency level is extremely low, and the market is rough without good help.
Jim, not that it puts money in your pocket since I don’t live in an area you cover but if I did, I would choose you over any other agent in the area.
I ran into you first at CR and now sometimes follow along here with your blog. The years I’ve spent reading your thoughts and comments on real estate and other topics would give me far more confidence in you, your integrity, and your sense of humor than I’d have for any other agent in your market.
I wish I could find somebody in my area who I could say the same about. As I said, it doesn’t put money in your pocket but you do a lot of good towards improving the reputation of your profession. I’ve run into a few others like you who run a blog online (Christopher Fountain and his brother Gideon) and I think it helps with your business and with pre-informing potential clients before they make RE decisions.
I wish more in your profession inspired the same confidence as you and the Fountain boys do.
Had I cashed out of my place in 2005, I’d have already called you so I could relocate to beautiful San Diego. 😆
Will there be Merlot and shrimp? 😉
Thanks for that reply JtR!
Yes, when I am ready to move on from my place and look in your neck o the woods, this website will be the main reason why.
Its not worth my time or someone earning a commission for being a warm body during the buying process. I think most people that read your blog would feel the same way and how you approach your profession with humor and strong sense of ethics.
Thanks much!
Thanks James.
You be surprised though how many people I hear from who say that they love bubbleinfo and how much they have learned – and then go work with another realtor. I hear from about one person a week like that, and I’m surprised I don’t at least get considered. What is missing?
JtR,
I think its a double edged sword. Your blog really isnt supposed to be generating business directly now is it? Its sort of the sugar or added benefit that is borderline required for the most demanding buyers. If you dont have a website or blog, then there are those that might want to wonder why?
However, on the other end, its similar to why people will NEVER pay for a subscription of the WSJ online haha.
Its ‘free’ information, but the point that is missing in cyber world, is the human factor and that what you do via your blog is in fact coming from a person, not a just a webpage. If you hadnt noticed, even for complex sales, people want to treat these things like they are buying a pack of gum, thus treating the seller like a store clerk, not a trusted professional.
Obviously I cant speak for the folks that dont use you, but my $.02 is that either they already know someone that is close to help them, or they just dont have any morals or decency of their own, to simply like what you have to say, pick up the phone and start the process!
The other thing too, is that since these people dont know you, its a ‘no harm no foul’ mentality. Actually I would put that right at the top of the list as reasons why for as much as it stinks.
If you are ever read about the DISC behavioral model? Look it up. Statistically most of the population are type “S”. This might help you understand a little bit more and if not, its pretty cool reading 🙂
Hi Jim – I was unable to make it home in time to catch the show last night… any chance it will be archived somewhere? Thanks!