I think you’ve found your calling for a career, Powayseller- freelance writer. I think that a reporter should play devil’s advocate a bit more and ask more pointed questions that require a well thought out answer. Softball questions such as, “how does the housing market look to you?” and then not following that question up, doesn’t cut it IMHO. Here’s what a typical phone call might look like:

Ms. Wedner: So, Joe Economist, what’s your outlook on the housing market so far this summer?

Joe Economist: Well, I think that all indicators point to a leveling off in median price, but it’s nothing to panic about…we are just getting back to more normal market prices.

Ms. Wedner: But isn’t the median price considered an infererior indicator because it tends to lag behind true market conditions? And don’t you see some potential concerns with the increasing inventory of homes and the latest population figures from the US Census that show San Diego is actually losing people?

This is just an example of how a reporter can actually put a little elbow grease into it and dig for the scoop on a story, rather than just lob softballs. Keep in mind, I was able to come up with these questions in about 5 minutes, and I am a ham-and-egger when it comes to this stuff! Ms. Wedner is a business analyst and it is her JOB to do this! Is the LA Times hiring?