Breakdown of participants on this board

all of the above. front porch and urbandigs are realtors. stevejhx is the grim reaper. And we are still trying to figure out who the heck rufus and perfitz are.

90% renters in fantasyland thinking they're going to get a classic 6 for 75% off.

So, for instance, hotproperty, based on such a lovely response, I would assume you make your living in real estate.

Don't we all live in real estate? If you do not live in real estate, then you are homeless!

Never mind, I mis-read your response...

Perhaps I should rephrase my question. What is the ratio of "suckers who think they can learn something here" to "real estate geniuses who will set them straight"?

uwsmom, it feels like 1 to 4 to me, but I'm new. Loads of schadenfreude flying around here--deserved or not.

I'd like to know what kind of jobs do the regulars have which allow them to post on a hourly, if not more frequent basis?

Seems 50/50 to me.

All I know is, this is one of the most depressing boards on the whole damn web. However, my reality isn't near as bad as most of the doomsayers try and make it seem, so when I go out in the real world, things actually seem pretty good. I mean, when I went xmas shopping last wknd, there were tons of people doing the same (seemed like any other year). But, many around here would have you believe that everyone is unemployed and every other business is closing, and we're a few steps away from becoming a third world country. Ehh... times might not be rosy, but they just don't seem as bad as everyone wants them to be. Personally, I'm an owner, and looking to buy another place. I still can't find any "bargains".

this board is just like the DotBust 3COM boards, except we're still about 1/3 way to the point where the 'hopeful' crowd start disappearing, which is when the bottom will be in place, just like back then.

in the meantime, get used to the infinite number of 'bottom-callers'.

uwsmom, I think this board still has good nuggets to offer and there are people around here that genuinely like helping people. There is a lot of snarkiness, which seems to really bother some, but I believe most of it is just good natured ribbing and I wouldn't take it too seriously.

uwsmom, agree with JuiceMan here. There's still a good nucleus of people here who are ready to offer genuine help/answers as best they can - they come from all areas, I believe, though arguably the most useful info comes from owners (past and present) or people who work (or have worked) in the industry, in some capacity. Yes, there are probably some brokers here hunting for clients, as well as people who are unflinchingly convinced renting is the only way to go (why they all continue to post here would make for an interesting psych case study), but if you can wade through the snark (which I don't mind, as long as it doesn't get ridiculous and overwhelm too many threads, which happens sometimes), there's still some good info to use around these parts.

Doomsayers or schadenfruede, if you look closely enough there is some data to be gleaned on this board even if 90-95% of the postings are part of the ongoing flame war.

For example, where else would you find extensive research on market comps done for you for free?

All of you. "had me at hello"

Reading between the lines, there are owners protecting their property and doom bringers marketing their shorts.

... and potential buyers spreading fear to get better prices.

aifamm...yes basically Bulls and Bears....

I don't have a personal financial interest in RE & owned 2 apts in Manhattan for 10 years (between 1996-2006) and was bullish as one could possibly get until 2005 when housing cracks became apparent in the left cost and Florida. By 2006 I became convinced that the historic bubble like rise in RE values in certain markets combined with the free wheeling credit markets could become problematic for the baking system and the economy.

Okay, so now call me a BEAR but that may change over time as RE valuations become in line with economic reality. If the past is any gauge, visibility will one day return to the Manhattan economic front and there will still be plenty of time for buyers well beyond that point. I don't play the predicting price game but they usually will reflect economic fundamentals, levels of taxation, fiscal health of the state and employment levels.

Agreed - there is great info to be had here, and there seem to be some helpful, seemingly knowledgeable people on the board. However, from my limited time, there seem to be even more people who just like to "see" themselves talk. Such is life on the internet I suppose. You definitely have to do a great deal of wading to find a few nuggets!

When I was selling my apartment I was obsessed with reading SE--made me sick but....Now I find myself turning to it when I want to remember why I moved. Though many of the people who participate are great, it's all about the pursuit of real estate and money. Obviously SE is about real estate but people talk about an apartment that costs a million as if it's just above the poverty line

uwsmom... I'm just an "ass---e" where's exit2....

strange how i asked for a general sense and am getting personal confessions =)

Some of us are actually looking for information because we intend to buy. Sometimes I have learned more on this board than what my broker was willing/able to tell me. There are some solid characters here and I applaud them. They are easy to spot after a while.

Every time I see this post, I subconsciously read it as 'Board participants are having a Breakdown', which might be true.

I'm neither bear nor bull. I'd like to buy an apt, but doing wait & see cuz I think prices will decrease.