September 24, 2005 was a Saturday, and early that morning I started a free account on Squarespace to begin this blog.
At the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger was our governor, Kayla had just started her freshman year of high school, and I had more hair!
I had already been warning sellers that this party wasn’t going to last, and I thought that if I could produce a steady stream of data to make my case, they might be more inclined to believe it, and take the appropriate action.
Boy, was I wrong.
But home buyers were interested in the locally-based data, and thanks to a few breaks from Rich Toscano and Bill McBride, the audience began to grow.
Ten years later, here we are!
Join us on the evening of September 24, 2015 to talk about the good old days! I will practice on Google Hangouts between now and then, and we’ll do a live broadcast to discuss the last ten years.
Have a specific topic you’d like to cover? Favorite moments? Video clips?
Leave your ideas here in the comment section, and we’ll build a show – and hopefully have some special guests too!
Happy Anni, JtR!
Bubbleinfo has been a great public service in addition to presumably quite good for your business.
I wonder how many readers made or saved how many millions based on the information here over the past 10 years.
Here’s to the next 10!
Happy 10th, JtR!
I discovered bubbleinfo back in April, 2006 when I had the good fortune of seeing you featured in a LA Times online article: “The Hunter S. Thompson of Real Estate.” I’ve been addicted ever since.
Can’t put into words how much I’ve learned from you about real estate, and I thought I knew quite a bit before. Your counsel to me–even though I didn’t live in San Diego County at the time–was an important factor in deciding to make a major move back in 2010. I will never forget your kindness (or your funny phone messages).
Your ability to talk about RE in clear terms and videos from the street–with a bit of your famous JtR humor thrown in–are what has kept bubbleinfo one of the premiere real estate sites.
Yep, I wake up and go to sleep with bubbleinfo. <- Wait that sounds weird! *Grin* What I mean is it's my homepage.
Now onto another ten, and can't wait to hear more from Kayla. Best wishes to you both for continued success…
Congratulations on 10 years of a great website, Jim!
Thanks – maybe you can join us on the 24th?
On September 24, 2005, the signs of trouble ahead were already surfacing. Subprime lenders were feeling it:
http://articles.latimes.com/2005/sep/24/business/fi-loans24
New Century had a record month in August — originating $6.1 billion in loans, nearly double the amount of August 2004, making it the No. 2 sub-prime lender behind Ameriquest.
About 25% of New Century’s business is in interest-only loans, which are popular with consumers looking to buy homes in expensive markets such as California because they help keep monthly payments low for a fixed period of time. But lately, as interest rates have started to tick up and home prices continue to rise, doubts have arisen about borrowers’ ability to afford such mortgages.
New Century said it would work to reduce the number of interest-only loans it approves, by increasing the price and by introducing a 40-year fixed mortgage, said Ed Gotschall, the company’s finance chief.
(18 months later, New Century was out of business, and their 7,200 employees sent packing)
The average 30-year fixed rate was 5.77% in September, 2005, but everyone was getting neg-am and interest-only ARMs.
My first blog post:
https://www.bubbleinfo.com/2005/09/24/20-25-appreciation-per-year-how-can-that-happen/
Congratulations and thank you for all the years of insight. 🙂
I wouldn’t be living in the house I’m living in now (which has appreciated 200k) without your experience and professionalism.
Thank you again.
You’re welcome, and thanks for your contributions over the years! You have added great insight for readers.
I got started a little early this morning – didn’t proof the title of this blog post, and can’t change it now without losing the link to subscribers!
Congratulations Jim! I still remember driving up to Pala with you to check out a bargain. You’re the best and I still follow your site weekly and suggested to others.
Keep it up!
Mark
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/11888-Rancho-Heights-Rd-Pala-CA-92059/79571883_zpid/
I loved that house!
Hi Jim,
I’m way over here in Atlanta, Georgia. I started following your site just before the crash in 2007.
Why do I follow a real estate site in San Diego? Because you give great real estate advice. I’ve passed this on to my kids (daughter in California) and friends and recommend your site to EVERYONE who is about to buy or sell. Especially first time buyers.
I know you don’t do this alone, so a big thank you to everyone who helps you with the blog & your business.
Topics for the hangout? I like all the tips: what to look for in a realtor, selling your home (pricing), staging-to do or not to do, etc.
Also, your videos. Your tours are great. I have to tell you, your honest take on each home is what I like. If it’s weird, you point it out. If it’s great, you highlight that. It’s the honesty and clarity of your approach that I like.
Keep it up.
Thanks,
Folks in Atlanta
Thanks jd – it turns out that realtors around here aren’t as fond of my videos, so I’ve had to scale them back a bit. Transparency isn’t everyone’s friend, apparently.
Jim,
I’ve noticed that. As my kids would say, “Haters gonna hate.”
Jim, I have been a reader of your site since 2007. I am so grateful for your willingness to be transparent, all the data, guidance, and willingness to tour every tear down that I fall in love with. Thank you and I look forward to partnership for many many years to come.
All the best!
Sooo oooold!
More shrimp on your 60th?
Hello Jim, you know that I read your blog a lot in your early days.
You’re really the “un-realor”. It’s clear that you have a clarity and sense of honor an integrity that not as common as it should be in the world of real estate.
I’ve expatriated, so I’ve lost most of my interest in real estate in the USA. But I still read your blog from time to time and I hope you keep up the good work.
My favorite blog posts were when you post videos of you driving around that old pickup truck. I laughed so hard at some of the things you would say while driving that thing.
Wow – greenlander! It’s been a long time!