The farewell post!
Ok. Shutting down all access to the blog was overdone and led to a lot of speculation.
Lets clarify: The issue with the REBGV was minor and was dealt with immediately. They were concerned that the 2008 housing market graph shown on the November market update post could be construed as being somehow created by or endorsed by the board. That image has been altered and all older versions of it have been removed to address their concern.
No one has told me to close the blog and I have not been offered $25,000 to stop publishing this site (geez, i wish!). I don’t believe (as some seem to) there is any conspiracy by the board to try to shut down blogs or hide news about the market – that seems about as unreasonable as trying to get a meteorologist to stop reporting the weather because you don’t like that it rains so much here.
I’m closing this blog because it feels like it’s run its course. Originally I found humor in the widespread excitement over the Vancouver housing market, and the popular view that this was somehow a market that was not affected by any normal economic fundamentals or cycles. As the market peaked and started to decline there was less opportunity for humor and this site became more technical. A lot of the topics covered by this blog are now found in the local dailies and on the evening news, so it’s begun to feel redundant.
When a hobby becomes an unpaid job it’s no longer fun. For the most part lately I’ve been linking to news stories and sorting through spambot posts to make sure that all of comments on this site are at least posted by humans, if not always on topic or sensible. The grouchy note from the REBGV was simply one more thing that made me think “how much time and energy do I want to spend here?”. I will likely be making the archives of this site available to someone else to host, and for now the wiki remains open. If anyone has any problem with the content of the wiki they can edit it themselves.
There’s a mix of sadness and relief in making the decision to stop this blog. I appreciate the range of discussion and community that this site has built, and wish you all the best of luck whether you rent, own or somehow manage to live for free. Be nice to each other.
For me its time to move on to other things!
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December 9th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
The fact this site is shutting down is proof that Vancouver condos are the best investment in the world period. Other than SUVS. I’m stating my own blawg called VancouverSuv.info where all you SUVs investors and rich asians can talk about condos and SUVs. No boat talk (one sank yesterday) and only sane bears are allowed.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Pope, thanks for all the work you put into this. I hope that, like VHB, you’ll poke your head in as Blogger Emeritus with the odd commentary and contribution.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
VCI will surely be missed. Pope, thank you for providing a forum where truth and sanity prevailed. Enjoy your newfound free time.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Thanks so much for all your hard work in keeping this site a happening place for so long. It was my daily morning ritual.
Best of luck in the future.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Pope:
You are the proprietor, “da boss”. its yours.
I came on board a bit late, but found the VCI blog fun fascinating and ultimately educational. My thanks for simply doing a great public service and creating and hosting VCI.
When I logged on this morning, I was truly shocked to see your announcment.(and yeah, to be honest all sorts of conspiracy theories went through my mind as I am sure others did too).
Things can run their course, but IMHO view things are only getting warmed up. I see HISTORY in the making as we speak…a major event in this Global meltdown.
I think VCI may be more important (and perhaps more necessary)more than ever NOW in a lifeline/lifeboat/lifesaver to the impacted, affected and/or undecided. Updated news on the collapse is F-A-R more important NOW than past news on the upswing. We are now in a quasi war -zone economically
I would suggest you keep this VCI blog alive a bit longer, maybe others can lobby for this as well, or say their good byes. Some may have seen the earlier post and not realize you have brought it back later today
At the very least , could you give us a final time and date that you “sign off” so we can submit final comments?.
Cheers, Seasons Greetings to all , all the best,thanks again (and hope you reconsider ?!?)
NO-LYMPICS
December 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
This site has saved me money. In return, I will host the site if you’d like, for free.
Others can volunteer to edit and maintain it, but as far as hosting is concerned, you’ll never have to worry about paying for that again.
Contact me via email and I’ll make it happen.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Thanks ever so much for all your hard work.
I enjoyed reading this forum, found it entertaining and informative, and I’ll miss it.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for all the hard work over the years… I’ve been following the story since the early VHB years. I don’t think the blog should be ended yet as the housing scene has yet to run it’s full course. It’s not up to you to carry the load when so many others are engaged so hopefully we can all shift over to new sight and keep the info flowing.
Thanks gain for all the work
J
December 9th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Thank You!
It was fun reading your blog daily.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I’m surprised by the sense of loss I feel that your blog is closing down. Like others, I understand the amount of work it must take, and the grind of doing something that’s no longer enjoyable. I hope that’s the reason, though little hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I read the correspondence between the REBGV and you…
Farewell, and many, many thanks for your blog.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Another bear realises that investing in the stock market instead of buying condos was not a sound financial decision.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
sure john, whatever. most of the regulars here aren’t heavily inested in stocks either, at least not for the short term.
a common complaint here has been that there weren’t many safe places to make money. the current melt down in global stock and real estate markets is proof we were right.
I for one am glad I ignored the hype and will miss this useful site.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thanks for all the laughs, Pope!! I think the fun’s just getting started though, where am I going to chat with all the other bitter renters? This looks promising:
http://housing-analysis.blogspot.com/
December 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thanks for keeping the blog alive and all the customization work as long as you did. When VHB shut down I felt withdrawal and bounced around a few blogs, got my methadone like fix from Chipman until I got the real crack-like high here. Anyway, your blog has been part of my daily lunchtime routine right after I update my spreadsheet.
Does anyone have any suggestions for where I can get my fix next?
December 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Pope, let me know if you need space to host the archive of this blog.
Btw, I don’t think that the emails from REBGV were that innocent.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
With a tear in my eye and money in my bank account I would like to thank you for being the voice of reason and for hosting the Best Re blog for the best RE in the world. Thanks we will all miss this blog…
December 9th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Thanks for all you efforts…will miss this blog. It’s kind of like losing a friend.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for all your work, your blog was always on my daily readings.
Can you not use ads and make some $ out of this? All of us would love to see this going and for you to get compensation for your work!
December 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
REBGV is like a MAFIA
December 9th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
this is sad…
good luck to all.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
thanks and bye!
December 9th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Thanks and take care!
December 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
is the REBGV the only source that is allowed to create charts concerning vancouver real estate..i dont know where they get off with there objections
i object to all real estate boards that refuse to open there books to the public for scrutiny
i object being spoon fed self made statistics given to us with the *just trust us* attitude
i object to there exorberant salesmen fees
i object there claim that the MLS is there exclusive property
and i strongly object there poor conduct
thanks to pope for all the time that you spent maintaining your blog
December 9th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
As a reader of Ben Jones’ blog from the beginning to VHB’s to Pope’s I must say that I am duly impressed by the efforts that have gone into these blogs.
I also must say that an enormous amount of effort has gone into the blogs by the commenters as well. Without each other we would not be in the enviable position that we are in today.
Thank you to EVERYONE bull and bear alike who has contributed to the great debates on the real estate bubble.
Thank you especially to the big bold brilliant blog owners who have made these incredibly informative debates possible over the years of the housing bubble.
Yes, I agree that there will be excitement as the bubble finishes popping, but in my opinion the most excitement has been had and future excitement will be mixed with conflicting feelings of sadness as we see those once arrogant individuals around us realize how big the doodoo is into which they have wandered.
Thank you POPE. You have saved me hundreds of thousands and I thank you for that. At the same time I don’t expect you to keep doing this forever for nothing, especially under the intimidation of the REBGV. It’s just not worth it.
I welcome the new bloggers on board and will enjoy the debate as it continues.
Happy trails…
December 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Well, what can we say other than that VCI will be missed?
One Elvis favourite does come to mind…
Thank you, Pope… Thank you very much.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
The pope has left the building…:)
December 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
good bye pope thanks for the memories. Been a reader here for 3.5 years i believe. Can’t remember exact date. I just remember your post about how we have the skytrain here in Vancouver. “the magical train in the sky”Got to go back and find it before you pull the plug that one was a keeper.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Thanks again Pope… I hope it does continue through RJ. My Fridays won’t be the same without the Free-For-Alls!
This market is just starting to plunge, the best is yet to come… oh well… I think I understand why. Take care.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I found it http://vancouvercondo.info/200.....in-us.html only two years ago. Time doesn’t seem to fly watching this bubble.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
A huge thank-you to The Pope, and also to everyone else who has ever put the effort (and risk?) into running a blog to help build the Vancouver housing bear community.
I’ve been lurking (and rarely posting) on this blog and others for years, and all I can say is it has always been a great relief to see other bloggers and posters with an analytical background who are unable to explain the Vancouver housing market without using the words “speculation” and “bubble.”
December 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Other ted: 3.5 years? Your math is as bad as an over-excited speculator
Lessee now.. December 9th 2008, minus December 1st 2006.. carry the 8.. divide by two.. Uhmm.. That was posted, lets see now..
27 years ago!
December 9th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Hello All,
First, I’d like to repost what I posted earlier in Rob’s blog.
—————–
Hi All,
I am personally very sad that the VCI site has gone down, as it consisted of my main interaction with people with similar RE opinions.
I like this blog (Rob’s) as well, but somehow the atmosphere there was more to my taste, maybe becasue of the points system, or maybe because of it’s neutrality, which obviously cannot be expected here as it is by definition a realtor’s blog.
I cannot crticize the Pope for taking it down, since it was his effort that supplied our needs. I am sure it wasn’t easy.
Pope, thank you very much for your wonderful blog, I truly hope we will meet one day in a house warming party.
Best regards,
arit
—————————————-
POPE:
Would you consider passing management to a volunteer among us. I volunteer. This is a group of people which I would like to stay in contact with.
We could manage it (not as well as you, given), and keep it alive. Hosting by RJ, technical side by me, posts by selected members, on a weekly rotation decided by the ‘new management’. You are out of the picture, become a regular poster, but you keep veto powers.
How’s that?
regards
arit
December 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Thanks for all the effort and great insights, Pope. I’m sad to see you call it quits, but I can definitely understand, given how much work you must have put into this blog. You can retire the blog knowing you’ve provided a hugely valuable service to all Vancouverites.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
The snow starts flying in the mountains and Pope calls it a day. Coincedence?
I think not! But maybe…
Thanks for the venue Pope, it has been very amusing. Godspeed.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Thank you Pope for all of the information and humor. Logging on to this site has been a daily ritual for me for several months. Thank you to all that have contributed your time and experience to enrich this site. I am sure I will be reading from many of you on other sites and I will be reading them until this wild ride is over.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Have you ever thought of monetizing the traffic that you get? I’m sure you get a boatload of traffic. Some Google adsense ads, a few paid links to brokers you trust and this blog could be a revenue stream. Failing that you might want to try selling the blog. There are a lot of bloggers out there that would consider the traffic you get a dream come true. You’ve put a lot of work into this site and you might want to get paid for it before closing up shop.
Anyway regardless of what you decide – I appreciate the work you’ve put into the blog.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
You will be missed.
At least we will always have the “BOV 2008!” lol
If you ever bump into me you have to confess your identity.
Talk soon,
PB
December 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Thanks for all the work you’ve put into this site, Pope! Your site was one of the important ones that kept me from upgrading to an extremely-overpriced house that would be worth less now than it was then, in early 2007.
I’ll miss your site, it’s been part of my morning/lunch/afternoon routine for the last couple of years!
Best wishes,
M-
December 9th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Thanks Pope for this great site, and all the best in your future endeavors.
If you ever thought of returning (this suggestion also goes to Mohican et al), please consider:
- a roster of volunteers to moderate contents
- a panel of guests
- google ads, adsense, etc.
- paying ads from mortgage brokers :O
- paying ads for rental, cars, boats
- feature to accept donations
December 9th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
thanks for all of the honest and accurate information over the past. good luck to you pope.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Wow Pope..I’m gonna miss this place. words cannot describe how much this and other similar blogs have saved my proverbial a$$. The amount of knowledge I have gained from the posters has changed the course of my life from what could have been terrible disaster to overwhelming hope.
Once again I cannot thank you guys enough for showing me the truth.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
You are a legend Pope! Thank you so much for your efforts; if only journalists, politicians, economists/analysts, realtors, etc had your integrity and honesty. I sense this came somewhere higher then REBGV, Bob Rennie and his croons! Eat shit bulls, the boat is going down big time.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
how about 1 last friday free-for-all
probably hit a 1000 posts in 4 days….
like a blogger kegger…..
December 9th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Thanks Pope
December 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Thanks Pope for your time and effort in this blog, which not only provides Vancouver RE information, but also delivers a lot spiritual comfort to the bears during the harsh days in the past.
I second arit’s opinion: is it possible to revive the blog through a management board? I can contribute to by some volunteer tech work, hosting or monitoring.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I don’t have the tech skills to help…. but I sure do like the idea put forth by Arit, RJ, CZ and others. I would even make a conscious effort to click on Google ads to help the revenue flow.
In any case, THANK YOU POPE!!!! Good luck in all your life.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
This site was good to teach bears a hard core lesson that VANCOUVER REAL ESTATE NEVER GOES DOWN Thums up2 never lose,satv never back off from bullish attacks informer never let any one wait for answer,”nobody” never scare to break self patting score shield installed by bears how ever this site was turning ugly,ignorants without boundries bears were crossing every limit they could have avoid with self fisting tools they forgot that one day they will become homes owners then more first time buyers will be sitting and following their foot steps they might beg for currently bears and future owners bankruptcy what about those who will lose their job in recession,die in depression what then what nothing when or what because the pope always wrote a saying on the bottom keep it civilized but who fucking care what he means to say?,who knows who is behind the poster?who knows if you never ever wanted to buy a investor in stock market killing the buyers and sellers emotion in real estate,A non residence hater who want to ruin the society or what else.
This rebgv objection type of issue have been brought here before when JESSE posted a rebgv graph modified by VHB but jesse replied oh internet is free from all that bs now you guys understand what does that mean to modify some one else’s properties that was just a graph think about those units those were targeted for attack think about triliions of worth of projects in the wiki do you think those people would be sleeping nicely when they know while they are at work or sleeping at home some idiots are taking shats on their properties?
In search of usual suspect this site was become a source of misleading info,incoherent itself,gibberish it self it went off topic itself the pope him self found himself struck as leader of same supramacy that was target in it’s attack,the pope truth hearts but your exit was mandatory.
serving 67 to 314 idiot you never had any rest british columbia’s population is at 4.5m the pope you deserve some rest and you need to gain your knowledge how to provide employment to people who lose their jobs.
If Drachen ever succeed to buy home at the percent he dreamt of then you can claim that your mission has paid off.
Thanks for all those civilised moments all bears and bulls has learnt lots out of it unless it went out of whack.
Good Luck hope you were a god when a bear who ask god if you really exist then please help me GOD appears to ask the bear what’s your problem? bear respond hey God I am hard worker have some down payment but i missed the boat by narrow margin.God says ok i can reverse a once life time oppertunity for you i can spin the wheel back for you the point where you missed the boat.
Now we have to see if bears get in or stand in greed for further crash!!!!!
Thanks ladies and gentlemens and the pope all the best.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
hey satv:
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.....94182.html
December 9th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
THANK U POPE! all the best in 2009.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Looks like VHB was right!
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.....30946.html
December 9th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
oh yeaah nutbags! remembers browntown recommend buying luved ones for xmas- wheelbearoh’s and stocks in “acme helicopter”! blog might stop but printing press keep firing up rockets! good regards real estate guru nutslaps! turn out the lites!
December 9th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
wait!
what if satv started a bull blog!
would you all follow it?
December 9th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I loved checking this site out, however, I don’t blame you for wanting to shut it down. Too much stress and hassle and is it worth it. Us posters don’t realize what it takes and how much anxiety it can create.
My only thought is, do we live in a democracy that free thought can be struck down by threats of lawsuits!
December 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Adieu, Your Eminence,
Just as we sorted out the sign-in thing, that I could post again…
I wrote a great, rambling fare-thee-well, but it got lost – because I was not signed in… Suffice it to say that you have beat me to it. It is hard to be fresh when all is so stale. I have avoided my own blog for a few days now, and have been pondering a life without it.
All the best pope, and thanks for all the fish.
solipsist
December 9th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Hey Pope.
Thanks for the years of spot on coverage.
I emailed you on vancouvercondo.info [at] gmail.com proposing something.
Do you ever check that email? Is there a better way to get in touch?
December 9th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Vote wisely next may,
December 9th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Pope, sad to see you go!
Great job with the blog and the best of luck to you!
December 9th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Pope,
You rock. Sad to see you go. Its alway exciting to see you comment on the blog
December 9th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
hi pope,
thank you for such a great blog. You are the seeker of truth amongst the pile of sales dung seeping from all the crevices of all the unscrupolous sales reps. IF it were up to them 150 year mortgages are what you call extended affordability. I for one believe you have major positive karma coming your way to be who u are and trying to help others. I’m sure I speak for a lot of readers here, each one of us owe you a beer, even john.
But you would probably die from alcohal poisoning before you got thru to everyone. But whaat A way to go!
peace and good fortune…friend of the common man
December 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Long time reader. First time poster.
I’ve been reading your blog, Chipman, the former VHB and a few others for a couple years now. I’m struck by how when the inevitable happened the steam came out of the endeavour in more than one case. Like the pleasure was being wrong and when you were right, it just wasn’t fun anymore. Anyway, something to ponder over your free time.
What I’d like to suggest, though, is to post less frequently. Like monthly. Give it some thought. Your voice is valuable, but it doesn’t have to drain you. Let you run it, not the other way around.
Either way, thank you for your clarity, your commitment and your perseverance. There were times in the early days when I thought my own ideas about real estate were crazy. It was nice to find a few voices online that felt the same.
Good luck.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Pope, please take up people on their offer to keep running the site. We’re right in the middle of the crash and I want toread a no bs take on what’s going on in the real estate world. Please. and if not, then thanks for the months of entertainment and information.
Anna
December 9th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I’ve quietly enjoyed your blog and VHB for some time now. Always informative, sometimes thought-provoking, and occasionally illuminating. Best of luck.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Hey Your Holiness,
Thanks so much. Between you and VHB I was saved from the fate that awaits so many others in Van.
In all sincerity I’d like to offer you and Mrs. Pope (if there is one) and any little poplin’s my services. I’d be happy to swing by and make your guys a fantastic dinner any time you like in appreciation. Just hit me up at my own blog…. http://www.thelaughingchef.info . God knows you did enough for all of us, gratis…
And browntown/satv I swear to God if you start bombing my blog with idiot comments you’ll see the business end of my Shuns…..
December 10th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Thanks Pope I always liked the fact that you were trying to keep humor in the mix.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:28 am
long time lurker, first time poster.
THANKS POPE. for *years* before i found this blog i thought i was going insane, with everyone telling me that “real estate will only go up” and “you’ll be priced out if you don’t buy” and “you want to make money don’t you?” — but time and time again, the numbers and the math just never added up.
meanwhile, so many of my contemporaries and colleagues slapped down a few grand, or all their savings, or nothing, and bought a place (read: CONDO) over the last few years.
meanwhile, each friday night, for the last two years (or abouts), i’ve gone to sleep snug, reassured, and a bit smug, reading your blog. (don’t think my girlfriend was too impressed, however, with my friday-night reading ritual!) more importantly, it’s given me ammunition + knowledge to decode the propaganda and resist the hype machines of unscrupulous realtors and the local media that propped up the ponzi scheme for so long.
thanks for keeping me sane, man. this blog has helped illuminate thousands of vancouverites! sad to see you go, but i’d be overjoyed if you stuck around.
Vancouver Real Estate Apocalypse: Spring 2009!
December 10th, 2008 at 7:21 am
What a long, strange trip it has been………
Many thanks, and all the best
December 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am
“So long, and thanks for all the fish!”
Really enjoyed reading your blog, Pope. Hope to see you around the blogosphere.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Mea culpa, shutting down the blog without warning was a jerk move, this is obviously as much your site as mine. I’ve got a lot of offers for help and options to mull over, but I’m leaning toward making this a community run blog. While I decide, I’m going to leave the site running and give warning for any major changes.
So this is farewell for me, not for Vancouver Condo (dot) Info. The conversation will carry on.. Maybe we’ll do one more Friday Free-for-all as suggested. Thanks everyone!
December 10th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Given all the work you’ve put into to maintaining this blog, I think you can be forgiven for one off day or more. It is not always easy for us posters to fully appreciate the work and worries that go into maintaining a blog. Getting less than polite legalese emails isn’t something that would make my day either. Even benign tumors are tumors.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Add mine to the chorus of voices…
Huge thanks to you Pope for your ringleader role in all this. I’m gonna miss this place
Good luck with whatever it is you’ll be up to next!
December 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I too am sorry that the Pope has issued his last Bull. ( Sorry for the really bad pun, but I kinda liked it!) Because of you and VHB and others, I sold an investment property close to the top and made some money. It would have been that much harder to do without reasonable, contrarian voices out there.
Thanks.
Best of luck in your future endeavours.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I’ll miss this site terribly. It has been my main ‘fix’ since VHB shut down. We’ve said goodbye to too many: VHB, Coco’s news blog, Fish, and now Pope. All of you have been invaluable to me. It has been very trying, swimming against the current all these years, but all of you (posters included) have provided my family with strength. I still think there is a long way to go, and I will continue to look for help on the blogs as we try to make economic decisions that are best for us. I believe that making prudent decisions is going to be more crucial than ever in the upcoming years. Again, many, many thanks for all of your hard work, Pope. I sincerely hope that your efforts are rewarded with the home of your dreams purchased at an unbelievably discounted price!!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am
hey thanks……..been looking at this for sometime now and have gleen some important info…..Thank you. Your effort has been much appreciated.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I would like to echo the above post( #60), thanks for all the work you have put into this site Pope!
December 11th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
The Pope,
From one blogger to the other, take a break. Do what you think is best for you.
Coco
(Everyone should own a blog for an extended period of time, then you would understand)