We have more readers here than video-watchers, so let’s just discuss the last ten years, rather than do a show.
When this blog started ten years ago today, I saw a great potential for realtors to use blogging to demonstrate their talents and abilities. I thought if I could just get a few months’ head start then maybe I could beat the rush.
The rush of realtor blogs never materialized.
But as we moved through 2006 and 2007, it was clear to data-driven consumers that there was trouble brewing. Real estate blogs written by non-realtors were flourishing, and I started commenting on the bubble bursting – and backed it up with MLS data.
The blogs that helped me build an audience:
Ben’s blog, with lots of help from CA Renter, a local commenter:
http://thehousingbubbleblog.com/index.htm
Rich Toscano’s blog, where everyone got into fights with powayseller:
Calculated Risk and Bill McBride, who ran many of my foreclosure videos:
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/
and Bubble Markets Inventory Tracking:
http://bubbletracking.blogspot.com/
I have met the authors of these blogs, and expressed my appreciation in person. But I’d like to thank them publicly for their dedication to educating the consumer, because without them, bubbleinfo.com would not exist today.
As the bubble began popping and the mass media got more interested, a writer for the L.A.Times named Peter Hong took interest in bubbleinfo. He came to visit one day and rode around with me while we discussed the market and saw some of the evidence.
He had the great Don Bartletti contact me for a photo shoot, and the next thing I know, I’m on the front page of the Los Angeles times – above the fold!
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/02/business/fi-real-estate2
My phone started ringing at 7am that day, and the first call was from ABC News Nightline. A couple of weeks later, their reporter Vicky Mabrey spent 1.5 days with me, and the clients who were featured in the video ended up buying a handful of houses from us – even though I had never met them before the day we shot the video!
The article in the Times and the Nightline show both ran in April, 2009, which was the same month we hired Richard Morgan to assist us with helping buyers. It also happened to be the low point of the San Diego Case-Shiller index!
The added media exposure, combined with the bottoming of the market caused the blog readership to explode. We were working 100+ hours per week and scrambling like crazy to help everyone we could! Richard and I have closed over 150 sales with people who came from the blog – thank you very much!
Our peak year was 2011, when we closed 73 sales, and a third of them were with blog readers. Back then, the Google Analytics for bubbleinfo.com was showing around 12,000 unique users each month.
But in 2012 there was a gigantic shift in the market that changed things forever – the banks stopped foreclosing.
We had hired two great assistants and thought that, between REO listings and blog buyers, we’d be pumping out 70-100 sales every year.
But in 2013, we received no REO listings. So I began a deliberate shift in the content of the blog in hopes of appealing more to sellers.
It was a big gamble.
Sellers are notorious for their lack of investigation – they just want their price, and grab an agent they think can deliver.
But I believed that showing pertinent data AND demonstrating my abilities would cause some sellers to hire me to assist them. It hasn’t been an easy road, but 10 of the 21 listings that I closed last year were with sellers who came from the blog!
I say it hasn’t been easy because I think I have lost some blog readers who were interested in buying, but haven’t seen enough buyer-related content here. But I still work with buyers!
Of my closed sales over the last 12 months, I’ve maintained about a 50/50 split between sellers and buyers. I hope that buyers can benefit from all the content here, and that you contact me when ready – I want to help you!
But I have to keep a steady dose of seller-related content to keep sellers interested, and keep demonstrating why you should hire me to sell your home.
It has been a great ten years! With over 5,200 blog posts and 2,000+ videos, it has been a fantastic outlet for me to share an insider’s view of the marketplace with you. Thank you for being here, and let’s all stick around for another ten!
If you, or someone you know, is thinking of moving, I’d sure appreciate a call!
Thanks for all the work you put into the blog Jim. It’s great to have an agents honest perspective. I found you on this blog and it’s what got me to send you some Fannie Mae properties back in the day. Won’t forget those beautiful homes we sold together!
Hello again Wes – another guy who was left to do some fancy dancing when the banks stopped foreclosing! Good to hear from you, and I hope business is great!
Jim you are as close to the the real deal as I have ever witnessed firsthand in my life nationwide, not just here in the SoCal bubble.
I have never met another realtor as giving and hard working as yourself who lives and breathes real estate.
Any potential buyers or sellers pondering the question if they should use Jim as their realtor should jump at the chance to work with one of the greatest to ever do it and in my eyes one of the very few left of the last of a dying breed. They don’t make guys like Jim anymore and anyone ever trying to fill his shoes I think will have a very hard time even getting a quarter of the way there.
Jim is old school in one sense, he is willing to get right in there and roll up his sleeves and do all the hard work and fight for you and your interests and over delivers every time. Which is very rare nowadays in a world filled with so many other hack realtors looking for a quick buck and their personal interests at mind and their own pockets.
That Nightline episode is what drew me in and I have been hooked ever since my friend.
Cheers on the 10 years Jim!
Thanks jp!!
There is a big difference between fighting for the clients’ best interests, and just making deals.
I submitted an offer recently to a listing agent who first chastised me for it being a ‘lowball’, though it was only 7% under list on a house that was on the market all year with no price reduction. Then she wouldn’t counter – she said she always just talks it out on the phone with the other agent to get agreement on terms, and then counters with all the ‘right’ terms for the buyer to sign.
There is a big push in the industry to build the big realtor teams loaded with newby agents who don’t know any better. As a result, buyers are solely under-represented, and instead just told to hurry up and sign.
Congrats on the big anniversary, Jim! 10 years of continuous blogging is a massive achievement! I’m proud to be one of the 10 sellers that hired you from the blog last year (though I’ve been reading daily from 2007).
Also congrats to you family, as I know they stand behind you and help prop you up!
I’ve always known you were awesome…hope we can work together again soon!
Congrats on 10 years! This blog has been a fantastic place to learn about what is happening… I have enjoyed your videos for years. From the ice cream truck at the foreclosures to the Carmel Valley tramp stamp, they’ve been terrific.
Thanks again for all the excellent help and guidance you’ve provided to me and to my family and friends. I think you’ve helped us sell or buy 7 or 8 houses, and every single one of the families involved had a great experience with you and your team!
Cheers to another 10 years!
The Carmel Valley tramp stamp!! Where do I come up with this stuff?? I don’t know about you, but I still LOL every time! I also remember you and Rob Dawg having a full conversation at my house – probably about nuclear physics?
You have been one of the most dedicated clients in making sure your people came my way – thanks a million!
I’d like to thank Jim and Donna for bringing me on 6 years ago, it has been a great experience so far. I would also like to thank all of the those buyers and sellers that have trusted Klinge Realty to represent them in selling and buying their homes.
Thank You,
Richard
Thanks Kwaping – I hope you move back soon!
Thanks Marie – I’m glad you are reading here!
I’d like to add my congrats to you, Jim, for your 10th anniversary. I wouldn’t be in the (out-of-CA) home I’m in today without your advice. A friend actually videotaped my new home in January, 2011 and Jim was able to give his 2 cents by doing a voice over from San Diego.
There are few people working in real estate today that have the integrity, the knowledge and experience that Jim has. Whether a buyer or seller, you REALLY do need good help and Jim is the guy you want representing you. He’s proven time and time again, that he is a master at negotiations and how to get the best price whether he is representing a buyer or a seller.
And now to another 10 years, Jim! A heartfelt thank you for all you’ve taught me about real estate.
And for the record, I still believe you need to offer “keyboard insurance” for bubbleinfo readers with your famous LOL moments in your videos…
You do know Poway seller is a stripper now. Went of the deep end. Not a joke.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1514384507/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1443199945&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=schahrzad+morgan
Enjoy your view of the SD insight here in South Africa and thanks to CA Renter for his earlier Info and graphs.
One more thing, Bloody Hell is it 10 years already! Time flies 😀
Wow, 10 years. I think I have been following you for 7 or 8. Your blog has truly been an education.
Jim, you are a true professional and I have been honored to work with you over the years. It is obvious to anyone who has worked with Jim that he is of a quality cut well above his peers.
Best
I expatriated but I still read your blog from time to time. Great content and great insights.
Ten interesting years. No, the -next- ten. Take good care of my sister.
Wow, 10 years! Thank you to Jim for all of your help and assistance over the years.