Frequently Asked Questions About This Blog

I feel that there is a lot of misinformation about real estate.

1) The principle of public notice is essential to real estate.
Back in the days of early America, when we lived in villages and small towns, everyone knew who owned what. Public information was discussed on the town square.

Without public notice, real estate would be rife with fraud. That's why we have a County Recorder.

2) Real estate sites and other Realtor sites have the ulterior motive to generate sales.

a) Realtors will they you that they care, so they will try to present data in such as way that, if you're a buyer, you'll feel "protected" in buying through them. In reality, Realtors only care about making a sale.

b) Unlike stockbrokers who are more tightly regulated, Realtors cannot be successfully sued for giving bad advice and leading you down the path to bankruptcy. You're on your own, so do your research and use a discount broker.


3) SDlookup has been censoring my posts which I think is not cool.
It's a private website and they can be as arbitrary as they wish, but I think that their censorship is not in keeping up with the spirit of bringing transparancy to the market place.

For example, they don't want you to point out that Realtors flippers are in trouble, even if the name of Realtor, which is public information, is not disclosed.

Knowing the properties now in trouble, but not yet on the market, will give you a prescient insight into the direction of real estate prices.

4) I want to share my observation with my friends.
Because I'm a nice guy and I want my friend to learn what I've learned.

5) I link to SDlookup but do I recommend them?

a) I use SDLookup because it has a great database of Downtown condo which I like to follow.

b) SDLookup also allows you to view old MLS listings after the house has been sold. If they every take away this feature, I'll link to Redfin because I don't like their censorship.

c) But I don't know Bridget Fanning and I don't recommend her. By that I mean that I'm neutral to her. I believe that she doesn't own the site but is simply and advertiser on the site.
I've been using SDlookup since 2006 and at the beginning, Bridget would respond to post in a salesman's kinda of way -- something like "the building is nice, let me know if I can be of assistance".

d) SDlookup doesn't update "sold" data unless it's from the MLS. If that remains this way, then SDLookup's data will soon become stale as there are many transactions that occur outside the MLS (developer sales).

6) What Realtor do I recommend?

a) I don't think it's time to buy so I don't recommend anyone.

b) If you are stubborn and itching to buy, I think it's best to go use a discount broker who will rebate the commission to you. Do your own research and negotiate a good deal on commissions. If you buy from a builder, drive a hard bargain yourself or be prepared to walk. They need you more than you need them.

c) I like Redfin.com and they have a great database also. If you only search for houses or condos outside of downtown, they are a great site also.

d) I don't like Realtors who are fake. Some Realtors will agree that prices will generally come down, but the house they sell you is "protected" because they sold it to you. Yeah, right! Only in your dreams!!

I would love to see a database of Realtors' transactions and look at the houses that are now underwater, in distress or already foreclosed. I understand that the NC Times built such a database for a series of articles that they are writing.

7) If you are not happy with my blog.
Read this post.

I'll add more items are they come to mind.