IHB Housing Consumer Digest and Surveys

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bkshopr_IHB

bkshopr_IHB

New member
I am interested in how many of the 1,080 registered members here are waiting to buy a home and what is the price range. Zovall, can you help me setting up a poll? How many were about to buy but delayed their decision because of IHB. I could not imagine the influence of IHB on the non registered users.



In order to place IHB at the top of the wanted list by builders and developers IHB needs to quantify shoppers data that no other marketing entities could do by reaching out to a greater and farther away home buying audience that visit this blog.



Potential home buyers often found this site through Google and other search engines and read about the honest and non-sugar coated advice offered by some of savviest and smartest industry people and home shoppers in the housing and RE industries. The questions and answers have been candid and helpful. No one totally believes marketing PR generated by builders and developers in So Cal.



The research abilities of the moderators and members are sophisticated in backing up financial theories. I also would like the home shoppers to share their likes and dislikes of certain model complexes in So Cal Project surveys. Housing consumer digest as a part of IHB could be the launching of something really big for this site and elevate its importance to a whole different level.



Think about the theme like IHB investigation exposing the construction defects at Brightwater at Huntington Beach by Hearthside Homes.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1209027431]I am interested in how many of the 1,080 registered members here are waiting to buy a home and what is the price range. Zovall, can you help me setting up a poll? How many were about to buy but delayed their decision because of IHB. I could not imagine the influence of IHB on the non registered users. </blockquote>
That would be a great sidebar poll for the main blog.



<blockquote>I also would like the home shoppers to share their likes and dislikes of certain model complexes in So Cal Project surveys. Housing consumer digest as a part of IHB could be the launching of something really big for this site and elevate its importance to a whole different level.



Think about the theme like IHB investigation exposing the construction defects at Brightwater at Huntington Beach by Hearthside Homes.</blockquote>
While I think the idea is awesome, anything that became official would open up IHB to lawsuits if anyone decided that their project or building was getting a 'bad' review. It wouldn't matter if the information was correct or not, the lawyers would bankrupt the official owner of IHB with legal fees. The Brightwater thread is a great example because our posts there are all expressed as opinion or facts backed-up with evidence. But if IHB, as a website, came out and said "Don't buy anything at Brightwater in Huntington Beach, they suck" the papers would be served before you could hit the refresh button.



Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
 
Right now, anyone can set up a poll in the forums. When you click 'New Topic', a couple rows below the Message text box is a link to add a Poll. Only the 1080 registered users of IHB can vote in one of these forum polls.



We are working to add Poll functionality to the main blog. All visitors will be able to vote on the Polls on the main blog.



Thanks for the ideas, we are definitely listening.
 
My only thought on using a poll here is, how do you control your sample? I suspect that you are looking for the opinions only of people who plan to buy in Irvine, or even greater OC, but the polls are open to all registered members.
 
[quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1209073438]My only thought on using a poll here is, how do you control your sample? I suspect that you are looking for the opinions only of people who plan to buy in Irvine, or even greater OC, but the polls are open to all registered members.</blockquote>


Perhaps, the survey could specify that it was specifically for those planning to purchase in Irvine and provide a choice that was for those not planning to purchase in Irvine. That way you could also see what percentage of people here are specifically targeting Irvine.
 
I don't think I can articulate this better.



[quote author="skek" date=1209105770]Sounds like a great idea, and what a way for IHB to evolve as the real estate market corrects itself.



IHB could offer a Consumer Reports-like service. Each time a new development opens, a team of mystery shoppers - IHB bloggers and members (including both RE experts as well as home buyers who are targeting that neigborhood and price range) can visit the model homes, tour the neighborhood, ask questions and report back their opinions and impressions. That information could be summarized and published, much like the way Consumer Reports tests appliances or one of the car magazines might test drive a new model of car. The reviews could range from pricing to amenities to livability to feng shui, to traffic and weather, to use of space and the green-ness of the development, to the competence and professionalism of the sales staff. Lord knows that IHB has that kind of expertise from which to draw.



In this scenario, IHB would become an impartial source for opinion on Orange County housing. It would offer an unbiased opinion that a potentia buyer won't hear from realtors or homebuilders, both of whom have a vested interest in the process. Risks might include litigation (although not likely if the reviews were structured as opinions and an effort was made to give the builders an opportunity to respond/present their case) and the need to remain free from influence (i.e., IHB would have to think about whether to accept advertising from RE sources). Also, no one would ever accuse IHB of being in the pocket of the real estate industry, but IHB might currently be perceived as having the opposite bias. I don't think that's accurate, but it might be something IHB would have to overcome in order to earn the reputation of a Consumer Reports.



IHB might even weigh in on future developments, like Orchard Hills and Laguna Crossing, using its members' tastes, preferences and economics to encourage the best use of the land.



BK, does any of that fit with what you are thinking?</blockquote>
 
It would be no stretch at all to consider this type of service to be journalism. Assuming a good faith effort to get the facts right and a fair opinion that is clearly expressed as such, the laws slant heavily in journalists' favor.
 
It is very important to keep the posts with factual information as well as emphasizing the positive attributes of So Cal projects. Opinions should be backed up with photos and support findings. The idea is to provide a tool for the consumers in making a informed decision. I wish when I bought my 4 previous properties that there were someones out there helping me making an informed decision. The mistakes I made were costly and did not provide me a better quality of life.
 
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