Best of L.A. Land 2008: Your picks?

What were your favorite posts of the year?  To refresh your memory, here are some of the most-commented-on L.A. Land posts from Peter Viles (and one guest) from the first half of 2008:

-- A tipping point: "Foreclose me ... I'll save money" -- Jan. 23, 231 comments

-- Guest blogger: 'Please cover the other side' -- Feb. 20, 116 comments

-- California freefall: Home prices down 26% in February -- March 26, 296 comments

-- California foreclosure "surge": Up 327% from '07 levels -- April 22, 260 comments

-- Update: Congresswoman denies foreclosure report -- May 21, 338 comments

-- In Escondido: Buy one (house), get one free. -- June 1, 98 comments

And your picks are? ...

-- Lauren Beale

Thoughts? Comments

Comments

[HulaGirl]

Awww, I miss everything on the old Pete Viles blog. We had some real dust-ups and rollicking debate - some real characters and pithy comments. Almost as much fun as watching my house flip over like the Titanic.
I miss y'all..Happy New Year

[Cal]

I enjoyed:

A house in the hills for $400K? Foreclosure and opportunity in Highland Park

And the related:
Update: Meet today's homebuyers. Seriously.

and:
Credit squeeze: The problem with down payments

[Cal]

How could I possibly have forgotten:

Cuomo sees 'rampant appraisal fraud'
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laland/2008/03/cuomo-sees-ramp.html

It still makes me laugh but I'm a nerd and am easily amused.

[Milla]

thanks, super cal!!! i (sorta) enjoyed those too. this blog was a notable part of my 2008, even though it won't be so relevant in 2009. with peter gone and all, you know. but it was fun while it lasted.

[Jeff]

too many great ones to list. that said, it's not just that Peter's gone -- I think many folks feel like 2009 is a whole new housing world, and the 2007-2008 frenzy and finger piointing isn't as applicable.

[Laker]

I think those posts about the buyers in LA were good. Especially Milla....
So, dear Milla, can you give us an update on your house? I think you are now about 9 months ago...
According to zillow it is now "worth" $378K, but I've seen some comps in that area in the $300K range.

[Milla]

remember, laker, that i didn't buy my house as an investment, so its "worth" isn't important to me until i sell. and after nine months of homeownership, all of which have been quite fantastic, i have no plans to sell. you can get further updates at me bloggy: millatimes.com. not sure that i'll be around these parts much in '09. good luck with your own house hunt.

[Lola]

The article that had the most impact on me was the one where Peter asked high net-worth individuals (people making over 300K year) if they are considering taking advantage of the latest real estate "deals" now that prices have declined. After hearing an overwhelming "no" from those readers, and taking a good look at our measly 180k salary, I decided to do as those smart folks are doing--renting until the house I want in the area I want is within the price range I want.

[sfvrealestate]

Lauren, were any of those posts that you cited the ones that made it on to Drudge?

[Lauren Beale]

Probably. I'll ask Peter Viles. Peter? You out there?
Lauren Beale

[Pete Viles]

Hey Lauren, hey SFV ... yes, as best I can tell, three of those posts were picked up by Drudge: California "freefall," the foreclosure "surge," and the Richardson/foreclosure story. You can tell a drudge post by the large number of anti-California comments.

FWIW, I think Drudge missed a good one from LA recently, maybe because the Times undersold the story: the murder at an illegal party at a foreclosed mansion in Studio City over the New Year's holiday. MURDER IN FORECLOSED MANSION PARTY. That's a Drudge item if I've ever seen one.