What Should Reporters Ask their “Experts”?

[powayseller]

I e-mailed back to Ms. Wedner as follows

A true investigative journalist doesn’t blindly copy what other people say. They question its validity. The stuff these economists told you doesn’t even make any sense. You are too offended to even consider that you have been duped.

A real reporter of the likes of John Stossel or Danielle DiMartino of the Dallas Morning News asks a lot of questions, and doesn’t take “experts” at their word.

I can see why the LA Times is losing readership. The “reporting” that you describe is more like a 6th grader taking notes in a class, than a college senior working on an investigative thesis.

I have investigated this story, and that’s why I know much more about this than you. I tried to help you. Your defensiveness was an obstacle though, so I have to let it go.

[powayseller]

Next In Line, welcome! Why did you think we would not “take it easy” on you? Several new posters have said to take it easy, so I’m wondering if we’re really rough on people… What questions should a reporter ask? Are you also saying that we should keep track of reporters’ stories? Do you have any examples from U-T writers or others? You could start a thread; it would be interesting to see some of the old stories, and how they compare to today.

[SD Realtor]

PS I only wish the reporter would call me… I think that the data that John presented would be a very interesting piece of information to pass on to that reporter.

Also I would ask the reporter about the stark decline in number of sales, the drastic reduction in revenue predictions from ALL of the large homebuilders for the next year, and the substantial increase in just about EVERY leading statistic there is regarding a slumping market including a rise in NODs, foreclosures, cancelled, expireds and withdrawn listings.

[Next in Line]

powayseller,

Thanks for the welcome. It was more of a joke – I like this blog because there are some serious thinkers and it seems some industry people. Some of the blogs I’ve seen on this subject are total rants with little info, analysis or critical thinking. After all we (bears) could be wrong or only half right about a downturn. I’m not up on SD, I live in OC and I think we are “Next in Line” for some yoy declines. I will keep my eye out for articles – old and new. One last thing I got interested in this topic since 1/2 to 2/3 of everyone I know have gone into real estate for part or all of their income so I get some inside info and hear a lot of sales slogans.

[rankandfile]

I look forward to your input, Next in Line.

[kiki]

PS, I think you have started a great thread. I admire you for taking the time to write to reporters and journalist to open their minds.
You are doing this for so many people that are no even aware. You could be changing their lives. I am sure there are thousands of people that do not understand ARM or underestimate it, many other think that houses will appreciate forever. The sooner this madness is gone the less people that will be affected.

I however have, I hope, a constructive feedback. I hope you will not take it as an attack. I think you need to improve your manners (at least in writing to people that disagree with you). Even if the person is a jerk you have to be better person and make your point without offending. In this case Comparing the reporter to a 6th grader will not make her listen to your feedback. I do not know how you wrote to her in the first email but if the tone was the same, attacking her for her bad job (excuse me if I am wrong- I am guessing that was your tone) will not help her to be open to listen to you. In case of a blog I think we can be more lose – a joke here and there or a comment born from frustration – although I still prefer to keep certain politeness level but there are other instance that you need to follow certain protocol.

*****************
If you accept a suggestion, I would have approach a journalist as reader that has been following the market for X months, experienced in person the selling of your house and are aware of houses that are sold at less for what they were purchased, plus have done a lot of research on the topic that has make you consider yourself maybe not an expert but person very educated on the topic (for sure more educated than an caverage seller or buyer or potential seller or buyer) . Plus given that you do not have a job related to the industry and will not be affected if the bubble burst or not (which I think is true, even if you buy your house at the same price in 5 years, you won’t loose money, true?) you do not have any bias – that some realtors or economist might have when reporting.

Based on your research you think there is data/analysis that is not being properly reported or being reported at lot and that you would love to hear the “specialist” take on certain questions like (and you can list your questions)
*****************

I agree with you that is a journalist’s job to research and ask the tough questions, and it is frustrating that their answer is “why should I refute if they are the experts”, I understand if they are interviewing Einstein but in RE they could do a simple google search on housing bubble and more than a million links will come up with many blogs explaining in basic English why a there IS a bubble in RE especially in California.
I just think that your tone and attack approach is the factor that impacts negatively and causes people to be more defensive than collaborative.

Regarding your initial post I have a question. Why do say Sony has left? Actually Sony moved their HQ from New Jersey to San Diego on March 2004. Why I still do not know, but a lot of people that move bought during the time when inventory was at is lowest and the last thing they want to take about is prices not appreciating or declining. Maybe you are talking about a factory line?

[powayseller]

kiki, great idea! I will definitely change my approach with the journalists, because they are just uninformed. But the economists are another story… No slack for those guys, since they are *expected* to know better. Thanks for your ideas.

I made a mistake with Sony – I meant to say RCA? It was a TV factory in Rancho Bernardo.

[powayseller]

Kiki, I should tell you that when I first started writing reporters, I was very nice. My thinking was that they just don’t know what’s really going on, and I would be the nice guy and tell them, and then we would start seeing better stories come out of them.

But after months and months of market declines, I have lost my patience with them. So with Ms. Wedner, I really took her on. But I have dozens of e-mails on my computer written to various newspapers, including the U-T, which are VERY nice and informative, in the manner you proposed. I’m so fed up with shoddy reporting. Maybe I should just take my original e-mail to KPBS and the U-T, written in Dec. 05, and copy THAT to the reporters.

[kiki]

i guess i understand you. i guess that if i try many time at some point the patience is gone.

i hope you find a journalist that will listen to you and your ideas, as i said before, by informing people you can change many lifes!

[rankandfile]

I have to defend Powayseller here. I’ve also noticed a change in her tone from earlier posts. I guess you can bang your head against the wall only so many times before you start to get a little honery.

Sometimes we have to remember that we are human and show some emotion…especially when things don’t change from trying to be civil, or politically correct. I personally don’t think we should apologize for showing some emotion once in a while. It’s not as though PS was coming across like Michael Savage or Howard Stern. Making a reference to a 6th grader was clearly done to stir the pot, to shake things up a bit. And I don’t blame her for doing it.

[powayseller]

Thanks rankandfile, I do try to stir up the pot. But I need to learn to be strong without alienating people.

[Peace]

Powayseller, I love your style, maybe because I have the same problem you do with “experts”
It’s like having to tell a doctor or nurse to wash their hands, it’s different than telling my kids.
Maybe you do need to alter your approach when dealing with the public, but please keep up the good work here and say it like it is! Thank you!

[SD Realtor]

I agree PS… Dont change your style. I think you are especially effective…

Perhaps you should call VOSD because I think you would do very well there… SERIOUSLY..

[carlislematthew]

Thanks rankandfile, I do try to stir up the pot. But I need to learn to be strong without alienating people.

PS, why not make your own web site? If someone doesn’t like your content then they just won’t come back. It’s *your* site and you can say it how you want to – rude, kind, whatever. On a shared forum like this you have to consider others and be civil. We’ve seen what happens when these rules break down.

I think I recall you saying one time that you’re from a computer science background. If so, the website should be particularly easy. If not, and need a little help then you can always ask the forum. There are tons of computer types here, including me.

I guess there’s the question of what your website will contain, but that’s another issue. Please, don’t do another blog. This “blogosphere” thing is getting totally overblown!

[powayseller]

What’s VOSD? I don’t want to start my own website. I like researching and writing when I feel like it. When my kids need the computer for homework, I need to get off. That’s how I like it. A business owner asked me to consult for him, so I am working on a proposal. I teach piano too. Thanks for the ideas, though, but I am more interested in economics and analysis/research than in hosting a website. I will ride on Rich’s coat tails on the website part.

[Author]

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