Goodbye IHB

I am available to the new IHB for some change management consulting if you guys want to get on top of this...



A retainer is required and each supportive forum post counts 1.5 points toward working off my fee ;)
 
I do think there is a bit of overreaction on both sides.



The idea of value-added real estate service is something that people who aren't IHB "experts" need. Who better to fill that role than the main people behind IHB?



Part of the bitterness is probably more related to Shevy over Deuce. I don't think the responses on the forums would have been as negative had IR2 been involved.



Over on the blog, those who aren't forum regulars and don't know who IR2 is are complaining more about the concept of IR becoming a Realtor, IHB turning commercial and the choice of a broker whose track record and analysis is questionable. Those are valid complaints.



It is strange how IR is going to become that which he ridiculed so much but it makes sense. If someone sees what is wrong with an industry, then he is in the position to improve it. I think people miss that getting caught up in the "greed" or "commericalization" aspect of it all.



I do think that his explanation needed more meat behind it. Rather than just go into the reasons why people should use IHB, he should have explained more of why he decided to go that route. Also, the whole Zovall as a mystery man did not rub me the right way. I know he's a great guy but I think there should have been some blurb about how he is more of the technical arm behind the IHB website etc etc instead of the Wizard behind the curtain.



As for all the talk of deletions and IP bans on the blog... I think that's a big no no. First and foremost, a blog lives on comments and threatening to delete opinions that don't agree isn't right. Removing inflammatory remarks are fine but they should be just noted as so.



As for deleting posts on this forum, I firmly disagree with that. Especially because the remarks are from long time posters and when I look at several posts in a row that say "Edited by zovall" it just smells like censorship.



I really feel that instead of turning IHB into IHB 2.0, they should have just created a new site. They can refer to it as much as they wish in the blog articles and even use the same templating etc etc but making it a separate entity would probably have gone over much better.





And one last thing, I find the name Irvine Housing Brokers ironic because IR's reasons for doing this is because he sees value in real estate OUTSIDE the Irvine area. And if the people visiting this blog or more interested in Irvine properties, isn't that not the correct market to target? Just wondering.
 
[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1239147644]It is not appropriate to publicly attack the Administrator. That's what the PM button is for. Use it or you deserve to be banned.</blockquote>


LMAO....location check: Are we still in Irvine???
 
[quote author="zovall" date=1239135982]

I understand that many of you are upset. But there is only so much of it we can take. Reread the responses in this thread and think about whether you would have put up with them. The sense of betrayal runs both ways. </blockquote>


I read last night, I reread this morning, and I have a new thought.



You're telling me you didn't expect this response 100%? Please. A retarded blind/deaf/mute could of seen this coming!



You and Larry brought this on yourselves, and have zero reason to be butt hurt.



It's still none of my business, but I feel obligated to share that I'm offended by your response to the response of those IHB users who feel violated.
 
[quote author="vicstah" date=1239117087]IHB isn't our business to run. We are not the ones paying the hosting bill, writing content, generating traffic, and setting up the get togethers.</blockquote>


Hi, Vic. You are certainly entitled to your opinion and have many good points. However, I would have to say that just about the entire forum content comes from unpaid moderators, bloggers, and industry professionals who participate. These posts generate traffic and keep people coming back. Yes, we do set up events. I am one of the event leaders and coordinating another meet-up as we speak. I do it because I love you guys and the smiling faces are enough payment for me.



Thanks for reading.
 
[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1239147644]It is not appropriate to publicly attack the Administrator. That's what the PM button is for. Use it or you deserve to be banned.</blockquote>


When the resident troll overnight becomes your biggest fanboi, <em>here's your sign.</em>
 
On the side note, if your new venture brings you profit, but want some more juice...then I guarantee for every dollar you give me, I'll give you 10 the following week!



You charge fees --> give earnings to me --> I make you a multi-millionare --> I become a billionare --> I eventually own you.



We also can give the option for IHB'ers to buy in...hell everybody can come out a winner!
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1239147761][quote author="asianinvasian" date=1239147644]It is not appropriate to publicly attack the Administrator. That's what the PM button is for. Use it or you deserve to be banned.</blockquote>


LMAO....location check: Are we still in Irvine???</blockquote>


I'm just going by what seems to be standard practice at all other internet forums. IHB so far has been very, very lenient compared to other sites.
 
Wow... quite the weekend it's been, eh? After catching up on all the blog comments and threads here, I'm still not sure I completely understand the business.



So correct me if i'm wrong, but my understanding of the relationship is:

- <em>"Zovall and I are going to do what we have been doing, and we are going to give Shevy customer leads."</em>

- <em>"I wanted to find someone who would provide the services I thought were important like providing value estimates, analyzing investment properties, and giving a realistic evaluation of the market. Shevy does this."</em>



The main problem I see is not so much a conflict-of-interest as in a lack of value to the client. To me, the value having IHB involved in a transaction is IR's research and analysis, not Shevy's.



<strong>Million dollar question:</strong> Would I be getting IR's personal expertise, analysis, and opinion on my transaction? Or is he merely the source of the referral?



If the answer is no, that's the most glaring thing in my opinion. While it's true that IR's work here has earned our trust and respect, it doesn't mean his credibility is transferrable to just anyone. Yes, his referral does have some weight... but the key word is: <em>some</em>. At this point, the connection between IHB and Shevy is still vague. All we know is IR met him a few months ago and was impressed. It doesn't help that what content is available on Shevy's site isn't up to the standards that most of us are accustomed to from IR.



BV is right in that we should give Shevy the benefit of the doubt. But Ipop's also right -- hey, you guys taught us to doubt in the first place! If Shevy's got the goods, let him be free to come here to the forums. It's unfair to characterize the readership as an angry mob that would tear him apart, otherwise how would one explain the overwhelming goodwill that IR2 has earned. If he's the guy doing all the leg work, the main concern of a client shouldn't be whether they trust IR/Z, but do they trust Shevy?



In general, it's all gotten way too personal on both sides. IR/Z doesn't <em>owe</em> the readership some answers, but I'm surprised they wouldn't <em>want</em> to address the concerns of this large pre-built base of word-of-mouth marketers and potential clients. The take-it-or-leave-it attitude is surprising. Conversely, it's out of line to call anyone involved a sell-out or question their integrity. But it should be fair game to ask, "<strong>Where's the beef?!</strong>"
 
Irvine Renter,



Good luck with your new venture, I hope you are wildly successful and some day we read about you in the Wall Street Jounal as one of the 10 wealthiest people in the universe. You will be successful as long as you provide value to your customers.



NanoWest
 
Looks as though I missed all the fun. Censoring is a quick way to lose people, once you start losing people it will be a quick road down hill. I wish IR best of wishes but if people can no longer speak freely then I am sorry I missed the talk of starting a new blog.
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1239097029]I just think this whole thing is lame. It's kind of like me pretending I was straight, playing up my husband.....only for me to out myself as a lesbian. WTF!</blockquote>


<img src="http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/submariner2/tvanchor-1.jpg" alt="" />
 
On censorship: IMO, you should not delete comments unless they are extremely hurtful or vulgar. The folks who are lashing out and calling names are making statements only about themselves and reflect absolutely nothing on those whom they attack.
 
I am sad to see people go. I have realized here and there the "missing" members and their missing posts in other forums.

They really made this forum interesting.

Its a shame it had to all happen this way.
 
For those who feel betrayed (assuming you're still here to read this), I say cut IR and Zov some slack. People are reacting to a perceived outcome. To assume the ship is going to sink when the iceberg is still a mile out may be premature. There's no proof that the ship can't steer clear. Considering all that IR and Zov have given to this site (whether you like the blog postings or not) I wouldn't doubt it if they also feel betrayed by those who have chosen to jump ship and thus completely disregarding what integrity IR and Zov have shown in the past.



Concerning Shev, we simply don't know all the facts. Even if we did, it's still their call to make based on their priorities and values. Whether it bites them in the butt down the line, we'll need to wait and see, but at least give it a chance.
 
Now that I have had time to calm down a little bit myself...



I would just like to encourage everyone to hang in there, at least for the time-being. There has been a lot of back-and-forth and everything has gotten heated... that is the worst time to make a big decision such as ditching the site that you have been a part of for a long time. We know that IrvineRenter has a good head on his shoulders. Also, from the initial blog post, it sounds like he is open to feedback and will re-evaluate his feelings on the brokerage as it progresses. (Not trying to put words in your mouth, IR. That is just my interpretation.) I don't think anyone should jump ship until we see how this plays out and allow him a fair chance to make adjustments as he sees fit. Thanks.
 
similar to SoCal78, me too had some time to calm down a little bit, but only get stired and get truly pisxed when Zovall started censoring things here.



FOOD FOR THOUGHT, IR: For us long time bloggers, we do feel betrayed by your latest new ventures. The reasons are listed in this trend. Trooper summarized it well in one of her earlier posts which I won't repeat. Why use your tremendous skills to convince us that we are wrong? The worst part is not your business concept, it is you arrogantly choose to stay silent, with Agwee attacking on Sunday, and Zovall attacking on Monday. Big mistake, IMO. IR, if you are trying to leverage what you have established here, ignoring us long term bloggers is a huge mistake, and you are about to lose the great goodwill and respect we have established which will be a key asset for your business. Maybe you don't care, which is fine. But by doing so, you just throw away some of the very assets you are trying to leverage. Regardless what you decide to do, good luck. You don't need our approval, you don't owe us any explaination. You only hurt some of the very folks that who have supported you, respected you for the past two plus years.



Since you are partners with Zovall, maybe you should talk some sense out of him, so he can quit being a soup nazi. He is making things worse for you, not better.
 
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