by Brian Brady
Commercial Real Estate Finance Expert
Structured Debt and Equity
Licensed Real Estate Broker in AL, CA, and FL
I am biased towards Phoenix. I should be. I lived in the Valley of the Sun for twelve years. I was married in St. Mary’s Basilica, celebrated that conjugal union at Heritage Square, and watch my daughter come into this world at St. Joseph’s Hospital. I’ve lent money on mansions in Mesa and mobile homes in Marana. I’ve dined at Durant’s and drank beer at the Downside Risk.
I love living and working San Diego but have bias towards Phoenix. Bias nothwithstanding…
Phoenix is the epicenter of Real Estate 2.0. That’s fancy term for interaction between the consumer and real estate professionals. It gives the consumer a chance to get to know you (the principle of transparency) and get valuable information about communites (the principle of local content).
Phoenix is the epicenter of Real Estate 2.0. Bloodhound Blog is here. The Phoenix Real Estate Guy is here. Phoenix Arizona Real Estate Blog is here. Boatloads of Bubbleheads are here. Today, I was here with 20 other front-line evangelists discussing the Gospel according to Google. Here are the lessons we learned.
Jon Ernest says:
I hate to play devils advocate….who am I kidding I love to argue. What about Seattle?
January 6, 2007 — 12:30 pm
Brian Brady says:
I was waiting for someone to finally ask that question, Jon.
Seattle has the technology and the tech-savvy people. However, Phoenix is more…pure. Seattle is a “brainy” town. You would expect more philosophical discussion about transparency in real estate, disintermediation, and business paradigms. Seattle folks talk about this stuff at cocktail parties like Los Angelenos talk about show business.
Phoenix is a cowboy town. More respect is accorded the swaggering developer than the intellectual strategist. In most cities, budding business owners court banks; in Phoenix they sue them.
Seattle consumers EXPECT cutting-edge excellence. Phoenix consumers find it.
Seattle is a growing but relatively mature city. Growth in Phoenix is hard, fast, unbridled, and insane. The highs are higher and the lows are lower in Phoenix. As such, Phoenix is the epicenter of the bubble debate (not to say it isn’t present in Seattle).
Seattle is an Ivy League college, Phoenix a State University. Revolutions are plotted in Ivy League colleges and started on State University campuses.
I’m not sure that answers the question, Jon but it’s how I feel today. I may strive for a saintly life but I’ve flirted with a devil’s advocate or two in my day so your comments are appreciated.
January 6, 2007 — 5:07 pm