I've learned a lesson while I was off line here for several months. Sixty Minutes or 20/20 or someone did a piece on Foreclosures and really focused on California. I realize that TV skews things as much as the News or even each individuals own perception of a situation or story. I also realize that what is happening with foreclosures and refinancing in CA seems to be far different than what I thought.

I was under the impression that consumers were put into adjustable rate mortgages because they were overextending themselves in order to afford the home. If you are responsible and have good credit, you should be able to refinance to a fixed mortgage. The blame goes all around in my opinion. I believed that if you can't afford a home or be responsible, you shouldn't buy it.

However, this news story struck me far different. To exaggerate, it was as if they were selling stolen merchandise for pennies on the dollar. If the buyer was confronted 3 years later and the merchandise was seized as evidence, oh well, they lived for free for 3 years. Or even worst, the sellers/finance companies were PAYING people to buy the homes. If you buy this home for the same price as your rent, we will give you $50,000. I think there needs to be some people going to jail for fraud!!!

I deeply sympathize with those individuals who are going through foreclosure due to job loss and medical bills.

So, Steve, to specifically answer your question, every situation is different and just because you are in the same location doesn't necessarily mean that you know the situation. You stand a better chance of knowing it. However, I began questioning the validity of answering ANY questions, local or not.

It's the story of the Blind Men and an Elephant.

The following is from Wikipedia:
In various versions of the tale, a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one touches a different part, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then compare notes on what they felt, and learn they are in complete disagreement. The story is used to indicate that reality may be viewed differently depending upon one's perspective, suggesting that what seems an absolute truth may be relative due to the deceptive nature of half-truths.

Sincerely,
Ruth

Fri May 9 2008, 10:46

>>>> I would be wary the agent that has to much time to answer every question everywhere and not out doing real business in the field.>>>>


I think a huge amount of consumers agree with you.!


: ^))

Sat May 3 2008, 21:21

While I agree with what everyone has said I most agree with Carol. Being licensed in New Mexico is the only place I physically practice it does not change the fact that general questions can be answered by anyone. New Mexico is a reciprical state with Colorado,Wyoming,Montana, Georgia and Oklahoma therfore the real estate laws in those states are the same as New Mexico.

I also learn everyday from this sight and like hearing responses from agents all across the country even in my local market. They answer the question objectively without having a vested interest in the transaction. I value their opinions to reinforce what we say locally rather than have the same bunch of agents always answering everbodys local question.

Prior to this thread i did not know agents were ranked that way, it does not sound like a good system. I would be wary the agent that has to much time to answer every question everywhere and not out doing real business in the field (in New Mexico can be a real field).

I do agree that stats should not be determined by how many questions you answer but maybe only by the thumbs up or down you receive.

Sat May 3 2008, 13:37

I am adding my two cents to this thread because I think that I am erroneously being used as an example in another thread. If my location info next to my photo were longer, readers would be able to see that
I am actively licensed in two states. I reside part of the year in both states. There are other agents on Trulia that do the same and I am somewhat familiar with who they are.

I do not take "thumbs down" personally, although I admit that I did at first. In my opinion, I don't think the thumbs down button is necessary. If a reply is out of line, a report button is sufficient. If a reply is inaccurate, then I think someone should follow up with a reply to open the discussion. Sometimes the tone of voice or frame of mind can be misunderstood in an answer, or even a question.

I do, however, appreciate the thumbs up button. I have also learned to give a thumbs up to an answer instead of my own reply when I see another agent who gave a sufficient answer, if I see that my answer will simply be a repetition.

I learn something every day from this site. I read the questions from all areas and I enjoy reading the valuable answers that are given.

PS I would like to suggest a spellcheck button for questions and answers. I have often deleted my entire answer and reposted it to correct a typo.

Tue Feb 26 2008, 15:07

Hi Sylvia,

I'm not sure what's insulting about my pointing out other agents that answer questions illegaly, unethically, and just plain wrong, as a direct result of those agents not being local to the market they are responding about.

Trulia has established a way for a person to ask a question about a local market. Personally, if the question isn't at least asked of Arizona, I don't ever answer it. Even in Arizona there are questions I still don't answer, because this is a pretty big state, and real estate is local. On top of that, my commission believes that I'm supposed to be an expert in any area of real estate that I practice, and so answering questions about areas that I'm not an expert is unethical in my commissioner's eyes.

So why do you risk answering something wrong, illegal, and/or unethical, as you note below? Why do you risk that? You gave as a reason, you can't resist something that's challenging. Hmm, if it's challenging AND from outside my area of expertise, than I'm definitely not answering that question.

Let me get super specific. I saw an agent (I think he was from Chicago, and this comes from his blog), say that in his area, empty, vacant homes appeal to the broadest cross-section of buyers. In North Scottsdale, homes over $1M that are empty and vacant are cold and uninviting. They scream, "I need to be staged." If a Trulia user asked, "should I stage my North Scottsdale home?" The Chicago agent would say, "no way...it adds clutter and makes the home look smaller than it is." While I would say, "Absolutely you need to stage your North Scottsdale home."

Seems like a benign question on the face of it. Seems like something that "anyone" regardless of area should be able to answer. Yet it isn't. Real Estate is local. It's meant to be local.

I would recommend this, if you want to be challenged by the question, then re-ask it of your local market, and answer it there. Or re-ask it on your own blog, and answer it there. Re-ask it on your next newsletter or even as a q&a in your own local newspaper. There are lots and lots of ways you can enjoy that creative outlet, and challenge yourself, AND keep it local, thus avoiding any risk.

Finally, I didn't start this thread to ever point fingers, so I'm sorry if it feels that way to you. I started this thread to see if the folks at Trulia would be willing to make changes to their system, so that professionals would be encouraged to act like professionals. The specific problem I see, is that because agents are ranked by how many questions they answer, agents feel compelled to answer lots of questions. So if you aren't in an area that has lots of questions, you start answering questions elsewhere.

In my opinion, the Trulia system is bunk, and I'd like to see it changed. I've found other agents that would also like it changed, and a few that like it the way it is.

So again, Sylvia, I wasn't ever trying to point a finger, such that you or anyone specifically would feel insulted. Pete promised me changes months ago. The only change they've made is adding an indication of where I'm from beneath my name. It's a start. But the finish line is still a long way away, in my book.

Sun Jan 20 2008, 22:24

Sylvia,

Steve is a big boy, so he can answer on his own behalf ......

I'm "very surprised" you would even comment ...

You're one of the "very few" at Trulia that "actually" takes the time to read a question, think it out and answer it clearly - one of the few bright lights .... on the other hand, the vast majority are becoming droning billboards, and as time goes on it could degrade your overall value ....



Happy hunting.!

Sat Jan 19 2008, 04:31

Hi Steve:

I don't mind your question and answer, but what i mind is your interpreting my reasons (or quite a few other knowledgeable and dedicated PROs) for answering the questions on Trulia. And, as a matter of fact, with all the time I (or as I noticed, some of the others) put on Trulia to answer questions, I find you comment a bit biased and insulting.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Here is my answer to another similar post, and I am pretty stubborn, I still stand by what I said -

I sometimes answer questions in a different area when the question is generic - how do you prepare house for sale, what do you think of my agent's performance, why did this happen, etc. You will find other agents do that also.

However, I don't answer specific questions about an area, such as what's the market condition in Sarasota? Although I did answer a question about how much is a house listed for - you get that from Realtor.com and sometimes the consumer just don't know where to look for. That's very specific question, and no knowledge about a specific location is involved. Also, personally, I moved several times, so when somebody asks what's the best feature about a certain area, I might answer that.

Most Realtors can't resist answering a good or challenging question - that's why we are on Trulia. Although I agree with you, real estate practices can be quite different from area to area, so we can risk giving incorrect answer to a certain area, which could be a perfect answer to our own area. So, if I do answer an out of area questing, I will qualify that by saying, "I am from Marin, CA", etc. Hopefully, I don't do that too often.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
To be honest with you, the ones who give quality answers will give quality answers and will set their own boundary disregard of where they are from; and the ones who give marginal or erroneous answers will do so even if they are answering questions straignt from their own area.

And Trulia tries, but Trulia has it's own agenda and it's own pace also.

Just my two cents. - I really should try not to answer any more of these questiosn - just add to my count again :-D.

Sylvia

Fri Jan 18 2008, 20:34

PS: Steve

.... the guy with that slicked back hair and those funny fuzzy blue shoes does an honest job of helping folks out, and isn't afraid of a skirmish here and there with his own comrades.

... just don't tell him I said so or his head will get bigger then the Graf Zeppelin ....


-

Fri Jan 18 2008, 19:46

You're a brave man Mr. Steve Belt,

Be careful, you might get a thumb in the mail .l.o.l...

You've hit the nail right on the head.! ... this is a great site, But .......

It just stuns me how the agent in LA answers the property value question for the family in Pittsburgh, or the agent in New York answers the guy in Mobile about what home inspector to use ...... Most of these folks probably can't spell Pittsburgh, but they're going to tell some poor guy living in Pittsburgh and sitting up late with his 4 kids "aaaall" about it. ---- that just ain't right.

What everyone forgets is, this poor guy might listen and spend too much or too little ... or maybe buy a ham sandwich with no mustard, because he thinks these answers are coming from Pittsburgh or someplace close ---- (that just ain't right.)

Another item I think is very odd ... it's always (usually) the same 6 or 7 people that answer these and 237,189 other questions here, it's like speed dialing for the American Idol ... it's sad that grown adults talk the talk, but cringes at thumbs down(?) boosting their "whatevers", but excellent at avoiding any "real discussions" to help the buyers and sellers that read through these pages.

If a Trulia user poses a question and has one single doubt and doesn't agree, "-boom-" it's like the sword of Damocles has landed. .... "or" ...... the poster gets the same old answer that the last 1,487 Trulia users got - " that information is based on the top 100 Voices, so-it-must-be, it has to be true.! " -- really.? it reminds me of the Wizard of Oz .. "* The great and powerful OZ has spoken *" ..

All kidding aside, here's the "very sad part" about it all ..

I've been using this site for chasing properties for about 7 months(?) now ... I've been actually only reading Voices for about a month, and we've had some minor disagreements on some minor issues, you say tomato and I say To ma toe' ....

But as this thumb "thing" - I can answer 50 questions faster than you "thing" - you must be wrong "thing" - I live in Seattle but I know the values in Memphis "thing" has progressed --- "your readership", like the buyers and sellers in the market have been watching, reading and not liking it ---- (not good ...)

Like you Steve ... I'm also getting contacted from Trulia users outside that have either asked questions or maybe started a topic here, and they either get stonewalled or they get that canned " information is based on the top 100 Voices " ... unless it's coming from the Vatican, they don't care - and they move on. ---- (thats not good.)

The worst thing.? (.. and not to hurt anyones feelings) but agents and brokers are not held in the same light as they were 10 or 12 years ago, not even 6 or 7 years ago ... and as more and more things progress (or get diluted in this unsavory market) more and more consumers are going to get a much dimmer view of your industry ...

Buyers and sellers need to be talked too, not talked at ... the average consumer will maybe purchase 2 or 3 homes in a lifetime and each time is more special then the last ... but when they come here, they feel like their talking to 50 droning billboards. ---- (not good) ...


Steve, don't worry about those thumbs, I've got 985, 986, oop's 987, "missed me" 988 ..




;^)

Fri Jan 18 2008, 19:25

Nearly 3 months after I posed the question, and had some level of assurance from Trulia that changes were coming....almost nothing has changed. I still routinely get thumbed down for pointing out the great advice offered by non-area experts. I still see many pros hoping to boost their stats by answering every question posed. I still see a "community" that by-and-large, I wish I wasn't a part of. We can now see a bit of the city/state we are from, but not the whole thing. It's an improvement, for sure, but

However, 2 recent Trulia users contacted me outside Trulia saying they acknowledge all of the flaws I'm talking about, but still think the site is useful. They find it comical the way some agents behave, but overall useful. I find it unethical, but can't deny that it is providing a service.

Elvis gives some great feedback here for what he wants as a PRO. Basically, noting that the thumbs down thing doesn't work in its current form, yet it continues. In repsonse to sharing his opinion, he got a thumbs down. Thank you sir, may we have another? I've only got 6 above....

Fri Jan 18 2008, 15:02

I see many answers about Hawaii from several agents who don't work or live here. With its exceptionally different issues concerning lava zones, tsunami zones, etc. I don't feel as though other agents should be answering these questions. Even a visit or two to our islands does not an expert make! Make no mistake, Hawaiian real estate is like no other in the country.

I, personally, don't chime in unless a question is in one of my two areas: hawaii (Big Island specifically) or San Francisco and Marin County, where I am also licensed and live part of the year.

I agree with the rest of the panel that the rating is practically useless and without value. It does indicate activity only and not knowledge or experience.

Fri Jan 18 2008, 10:21

Pete -
I like how Ruth has Oak Park, IL under her pic. Is there any way to add our home state (or area of expertise) to the little information block next to our picture and name?

Sat Nov 3 2007, 14:12

Pete, the only way to make the "thumbs up/thumbs down" thing useful is to get rid of it. You can still have a "report this post" button.

Filter would be nice, too, LOL!

Sat Nov 3 2007, 14:07

Patrick writes;
Right J R, the answer to "Should I go FSBO", regardless of location, is always NO! Anyone can answer that! However, a question like what are the schools like in a specific area should really be dealt with by a local agent with direct and informative information, perhaps a child in the school system themselves... Not by an out of area Agent who just wants to answer as many questions as they can on a forum to be ranked. If I were the person asking the question I would rather have an answer from someone who knows directly, not from someone who just wants to provide a link to their own site and be the first to answer the question.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Patrick, you can't get rid of trolls and self aggrandizing egoists. Anyone who would answer the question "what are the schools like in (whereever)" would be an idiot if they didn't know the schools. If the question isn't answered, however, I see nothing wrong with tell the person that they can get that information from the department of education in that area, or whatever.

Sat Nov 3 2007, 14:05

Pete:
Yes, the physical location of the person responding is not emphasized enough. Also, there is no search to find profiles of people in your area. The ranking system for a location is based on anyone who answered questions from that location, so it turns out to be misleading. If possible, it should be ranked by profile location, not answers location.

The value of the number of questions asked is only good for comparing it to the number of useful answers or best answers. Seriously, I think using Jim Walkers TUBA scoring is a good idea.
http://www.trulia.com/voices/Using_Trulia/More_Statistical_F…
http://www.trulia.com/voices/Using_Trulia/Not_a_question_Mor…

Steve
You make a good point about the laws. But we are not allowed to give legal or financial advice either. I think people are generally good about giving their disclaimers. By having people from different areas make mistakes and get corrected, we learn about what might happen if a buyer transfers from one state to the next. I see the abusers of the system disappear more quickly than the people good people annoyed by them.

Thanks for listening,
Ruth

Sat Nov 3 2007, 14:00

I don't feel that Trulia should change the limits and prohibit agents out of the area from answering the questions. New to the site, I can already see that some questions for a specific area would require knowledge of local market trends and state laws. But, there are also questions in specific areas that can be generalized, as long as the real estate pro referrs them to contact a local real esate professional in the area. They then can be guided by offering information about further questions to ask or what other information they may need to know, as well as direct them to the person/group who can best help them.

Sat Nov 3 2007, 12:50

Right J R, the answer to "Should I go FSBO", regardless of location, is always NO! Anyone can answer that! However, a question like what are the schools like in a specific area should really be dealt with by a local agent with direct and informative information, perhaps a child in the school system themselves... Not by an out of area Agent who just wants to answer as many questions as they can on a forum to be ranked. If I were the person asking the question I would rather have an answer from someone who knows directly, not from someone who just wants to provide a link to their own site and be the first to answer the question.

Sat Nov 3 2007, 12:49