I’ve moved the blog. You can find the new one here.

There’s nothing like the Dub, and tonight the Giants play the Brandon Wheat Kings.  I can’t go and I’ve got two tickets.  If you’d like them simply contact Chan at coronetpm@gmail.com . You can either pick them up at my office or the deli up the street.  

Yesterday’s post wasn’t much of a mystery.  I really just meant what I said: the blog is getting boring and needs a facelift.  My initial position was that more in-depth numbers were the answer. The challenge is that I don’t have time to do the work, which means I need to pay someone else, and that costs money, hence the solicitation of opinions on cost recovery solutions.

They say a good lawyer doesn’t ask a question unless he already knows the answer, and to a certain extent that applies here.  I’m not surprised that few people want to pay for access to the site, nor am I surprised that many people would put up with ads. 

They also say don’t ask a question unless you want to hear the answer.  In this case I heard a few things I didn’t expect, and I’m so really glad that I asked the question.  There are lots of good suggestions about how to improve the blog.

What does surprise me is how some people construed the sentiment that “The blog is stale and needs a facelift” with “I’m tired, not having fun and want to throw in the towel”.   Sometimes there isn’t a hidden agenda. Sometimes the question isn’t in code.  Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.    I do appreciate the concern.  I also think its an object lesson in the way communication is filtered.   We all see things from our own perspectives.  For some, the solution to this blog’s challenges is to shut it down.  I have to ask everyone to put themselves in my shoes for a minute, though:  What kind of a Realtor would I be if I adopted that solution? I tell people that real estate is a great career if you like dealing with people and like solving problems.  If you apply that thinking to this blog is clear that shutting it down isn’t a real option.  There has to be (and frankly, there is) another solution.

I appreciate the business advice as well.  Blogging is new marketing tool, and the rules are still in flux.  There are many who argue that blogs will not generate business, but I can testify that I have actually made a few deposits in the bank that can be directly traced to the blog.  The amounts don’t justfy the time spent on it, but for the time being the combination of income and fun are rewarding enough (its no surprise that I like to argue, and from time to time there is some good give and take here).  That said, its a bad businessman who doesn’t consider his costs. It was a question that had to be asked. Besides, who wants a Realtor who shirks from challenges, doesn’t want to compete and can’t count money?

 Thanks for the input.  Changes are coming, but I’m not going anywhere.  Have patience. My “geek  tendency” (as one emailer called it) is low - new technology and software is a challenge at times.

This blog needs a big facelift.  Its getting really stale.  

I’ve never maintained that numbers have predictive value, but I do like in depth numbers as a way of seeing what’s happening.   I think we all recognize that there are hot and cold spots throughout the market, and daily numbers can illustrate them.

The problem isn’t the data.  The problem is that there isn’t enough time to massage it, re-organize it and present it. 

Its been suggested before that this become some sort of user pay site. There are different ways to pay: put up with ads, donate to the blogger with Paypal, pay for access, or be some sort of sponsor. 

Is there any interest among blog readers to contribute toward the costs of more in depth analysis of the numbers?

There were 302 new listings yesterday, and 116 sales, for a sell/list of 38.41%.  Inventory reached 9,789, and of those, 2,319, or 22.37%, had been on the market over 90 days.

Its funny how we reach conclusions.  Someone found a listing with the comment “Over 40 new 2 story homes with fully finished basements…” and concluded that there was one listing showing up in inventory counts but actually 40 properties for sale - 1 listings, 40 properties. 

A search based on the same comments turns up 4 listings from the same Realtor, acting for the same builder.  A search based on occupancy equalling “under construction” or age equals “0″ turns up 14 listings (unless you leave out “detached”, in which case you get 8 listings).  

Clearly, the comment “Over 40 new homes…” doesn’t mean that 1 listing covers 40 homes.  The Realtor in question is just describing the sub-division. 

But, there is still a discrepancy between 14 new listings on MLS and the claim of over 40 new homes.  What’s going on?  A look at a website indicates that these homes are under construction.  Some of the lots have plans selected for them, but the majority still don’t.  You can turn up, pick the plan, write the offer, and watch your home get built. 

 Does that mean that MLS inventory numbers don’t accurately reflect what’s on the market? I’m sure that you could argue it either way (is a vacant lot without a plan for its house actual  inventory? Maybe, maybe not).

Does it mean that MLS is manipulating the numbers to keep unsold inventory hidden? Um…wait a second, how do you hide inventory when you advertise it on the web? 

MLS inventory is the total of all the active MLS listings on  the service.  Its not all properties for sale.  Every one making up the total can be traced to an individual property, and requires at least three parties (seller, broker, agent).  All three have a direct interest in having the property promoted (they don’t get paid otherwise).  I’m curious how anyone can imagine the Board supresses listings.

There were 323 new listings today and 150 sales, for a sell/list of 46.44%.  Inventory reached 9,533, of which 2,370, or 24.86% were over 90s.

 Yesterday there were 286 new listings and 148 sales for a sell/list of 51.75%.

There were 229 new listings yesterday, and 98 sales, for a sell/list of 42.79%.  Inventory hit 9,364, of which 2,324,  or 24.81%, were over 90s.

I also received an email today promoting brand new Orlando 1 bedroom condos for between $195,000 and $205,000.  Who’s ready?

Rob is now out of time so Chan is BACK!!!

there were 319 new listings yesterday and 116 sales. A Sell/List of 36.36%. Inventory reached 9393 (of which 2498 or 26.59% were over 90s)

There were 238 new listings today and 91 sales, for a sell/list of 38.24%.  Inventory reached 9,235, of which 2,606, or 28.22% were over 90s.