Ontario Tax Sale Property Forum
Sheriff Sales / Foreclosures => General Discussion => Topic started by: cityhunter on December 12, 2010, 09:58:31 PM
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I see the posts on the main page but cannot see the thread when i click. whats it about?
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In the last week I've introduced the concept of a private forum. When people reach a certain level of posting the board becomes open to them.
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This is in my view an excellent idea. It allows those who post regularly to post freely without having lurkers benefit from any information that is posted in this section. More importantly, it provides an incentive for members to post more frequently so that they too can also enter this area.
Keep the posts coming.
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It will also create a lot of useless posts as people try to run their post count up!! lol I'm all for it though even if I can't view it....yet.
See....useless post #1!! ;)
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Feel free to respond to this with another useless post. Soon you too can see the useless info (to date) contained behind closed doors. ;D
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I can't wait to become part of the in crowd....maybe I will just bribe my way in!!
Ok, that was the last of my useless posts....well, except for the ones which may be unintentionally useless.
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Need more tax sales to talk about :)
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Hmm seems like there may be a lot of useless posts, as I would hate to miss out on those private forums... but I was wondering just how many posts will be required to gain access?
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I don't post much. As some would say I'm a lurker? Or do I just keep my mouth shut as you guys seem to know a lot more than the everage person.
I have been watching this forum for quite sometime. Even before I reg. I always stopped by and took a look at what was being said.
I did however buy my first property against everyone's advice. This property was a lot on an island? I feel I did do quite well, except I way over bid as I was the only bidder, should have bid just the ask, hence the advice everyone was say it was a waste, snake ridden, wetland etc...
One question what is the limit that one would have to post to attain the "advance" status?
Take care,
Ice
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Most of you guys have a long way to go (did anyone say "useless posts to post"?). Look at me, I am over 130, less negative karma than Rob, not there yet. :o
Just another post of mine :D
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I know tha Rob is wondering what would be the appropriate level of posts for entry. I think that this is a question that has not yet been finally resolved.
Some of the posts in this thread demonstrate the reason for the private area. There may be situations where regulars whish to share info with other regulars and non-lurkers.
I think that the best reason for having this private area is that it will create an incentive for members to become more active. This forum is without a doubt the quietest forum that I have seen.
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I know tha Rob is wondering what would be the appropriate level of posts for entry. I think that this is a question that has not yet been finally resolved.
Some of the posts in this thread demonstrate the reason for the private area. There may be situations where regulars whish to share info with other regulars and non-lurkers.
I think that the best reason for having this private area is that it will create an incentive for members to become more active. This forum is without a doubt the quietest forum that I have seen.
this is a tight lipped business and I don't see it changing.........
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Most of you guys have a long way to go (did anyone say "useless posts to post"?). Look at me, I am over 130, less negative karma than Rob, not there yet. :o
Just another post of mine :D
The number of posts needed for entering the private posts seems to be somewhere between 150 to 240. Netpred is the advanced member with the lowest number of posts at 240. The highest platinum is 133. PFM1011 has top spot at 716. It will take a lot of typing to try to gain entry with "useless posts".
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this is a tight lipped business and I don't see it changing.........
Actually right now very little is going on there like the main board. I don't think we have a had a situation to justify its use and to be honest with you I don't see it having much influence on the main board.
In some ways it is a changing marketplace out there as we all come to grips with the influences that OTS is having and adjust our strategies to cope. A lot will depend on the quality of future offerings and no one can predict that.
In the past in a smaller group in theory it was easier to stake out territories and then informally help one another in a promising situation. The spotlight OTS is throwing on all tax sales greatly reduces the potential rewards for that. From what I know of the key players in the market the members in the private area also do not
have enough market presence to have a significant effect. Certainly some key players and most likely the most regular key players in this market are in the lurker category.
For me personally given what I am involved in there is not a lot I can be helped on other then a technical question which will be more related to the development side of the cycle rather then the tax sale purchase side. This is an already purchased property so it is not of concern to the rest of the board in general.
One observation I can make is in future to be successful in this game I think you will have to do some specilization. In the wild wolves mark their territory by scent. Here it maybe the same although if I tried to do it in the wolf manner It is tough on my computer. Happy hunting
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My view is that private forums create an "elite" group. I see nothing wrong with individual members sticking with the PM route if they wish to keep certain info close to their chest, or even form a clique, but a private forum harks back to public school where the "popular" children had their "special" friends.
When I first found this site, I had 2 successful tax sale purchases (lucky I didn't get my shorts in the grinder on either one!) and 2 or 3 losses that could have been quite profitable. I read, avidly, for a few days, learned a lot, registered, then read every single post: it took me weeks of spare time, and was worth the effort, as the folk here are friendly, helpful, and have a great sense of humour. I deeply appreciate, firstly, the effort and thought that Rob put into the creating of this forum, and I also deeply appreciate all the info, advice, and losses and victories that have been posted here. (Also the wild-assed hairball comments, too). This is the only forum, of any kind, that I read regularly and religiously, and it's the only forum I have joined and stayed with for more than a few weeks (lots of boredom out there). Netpred says that "This forum is without a doubt the quietest forum that I have seen"; it may be that there are a number of members, like me, who say nothing if they have nothing to say, but I must comment that, other than the porn, I have enjoyed reading every posting.
I don't log on unless I have a reply to something, but I presume that I would have to do so if I ever wanted to gain access to this new "elite" group, so it would be a giant PITA. As well, I don't suppose I've posted much more than 15 or 20 times, but am not about to start posting drivel to build my count. My inclination is that, if I'm going to be shut out of any section of this board until I post another 100 comments, I will say goodbye as a registered member, and return to lurker status. Do you suppose that the private forum members are going to be jumping back & forth, from section to section, public & private, with their postings? Lastly, consider whether or not the forum would have heard from the elder statesmen who lurked, apparently, for some time before they left some very interesting posts.
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My view is that private forums create an "elite" group
I like the concept. At any given time look how many lurkers have perused this site and the forums, gathering free info but not giving. The private postings [which I don't see] will do a few things.
1. Encourage lurkers to join and contribute.
2 Allow us to share info among a group that also contributes.
3 Excludes the general public that are still learning.
4 Encourage all of us to contribute more.
Perhaps eligibility should not be based on volume alone. Some provide quality info and thoughts which is reflected in their karma.
So the question is when are you eligible and allowed to view the private forum Rob?
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The level of posts required to see the private forum is 200.
Karma plays no part at the moment.
Back in the old days before the internet, most BBS required a post before people could play games or access downloads. Although it would seem to produce lower quality posts, it actually did the opposite because more people participated and the conversations were richer. Everyone's quality of post increased because they had more practice participating in discussion board conversations.
This is a slightly different concept where everything remains how it always was, but for those older members who may have information to share but are considered about sharing it with everyone, this area gives them a new place.
Why did I use only post count to determine who should be part of the private area?
- It's accessible to any member, regardless of popularity to reach that number of posts
- It doesn't require me or a group of people to determine who should be part or not
- It encourages discussion and it gives people a reason to partipate
- It's free and doesn't require a credit card
I understand members who feel they should have access to this forum and will stop taking part in all discussion activities because they are not part of this forum yet. You are free to choose your level of participation. The more you participate the more opportunties and avenues you'll have to participate.
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Rob:
I see by your recent karma that you are on your way to becoming one of the most unpopular members of this board.
The truth is that this was not entirely Rob's idea. I sent Rob an email about this a while ago. I also understand that this sort of thing was discussed a longer while ago but the board was too small to make it work.
There are a combination of factors that have resulted in this situation. First, if you look back one year ago, the record for most users on line at one time was around 160. It is now well over 500. The forum is maturing.
Second, I research (and visit) several properties during a year. This is an enjoyable hobby for me. I only bid on a few. I have posted information about some of those where I have no intention of bidding. Some regular members do the same. Most members (and all lurkers) contribute nothing. Why should those who don't contribute get the benefit of receiving free and endless info from those that do contribute? I do not mind passing on tips, but have only done so via private post (although I will post public warnings where warranted). For example, a while ago there was an attractive property for sale that OTS said was not buildable. According to OTS, there was no permit available. That municipality was in the process of changing the Official Plan and the property might become unbuildable, but it was presently buildable. I researched the issue (it cost me some $), made a site visit and determined that this was not where I wanted to build my dream cottage. I exchanged this info via pm with a senior member of this board who had earned the opportunity to bid on this property. That person now owns this property. If I posted for the whole world to see, the property would have gone for double at least. So, is it wrong to reward those that put in the most effort?
Third, there may be things that we want to say that we don't want the world to see for other reasons. This is a place where I can have those discussions.
Finally, and most important, this is a free site that has been set up and is run by Rob. He is free to do as he wishes. It was in fact a suggestion of mine that he charge a small fee to enter the private area. Rob decided against doing this. So, I fail to see how anyone can complain when they are provided with a free service but want more. If you want more, join OTS.
Rob, thanks for running this forum. It is a great place with interesting characters and discussions. Very few of us understand how difficult it is to put something like this together and then to run it. Even fewer realize that there is no money in this for Rob based on his business model. Perhaps, Rob, if you spoke with OTS Jeff, you might get some really good advice on how to turn this into a profitable venture for you.
The level of posts required to see the private forum is 200.
Karma plays no part at the moment.
Back in the old days before the internet, most BBS required a post before people could play games or access downloads. Although it would seem to produce lower quality posts, it actually did the opposite because more people participated and the conversations were richer. Everyone's quality of post increased because they had more practice participating in discussion board conversations.
This is a slightly different concept where everything remains how it always was, but for those older members who may have information to share but are considered about sharing it with everyone, this area gives them a new place.
Why did I use only post count to determine who should be part of the private area?
- It's accessible to any member, regardless of popularity to reach that number of posts
- It doesn't require me or a group of people to determine who should be part or not
- It encourages discussion and it gives people a reason to partipate
- It's free and doesn't require a credit card
I understand members who feel they should have access to this forum and will stop taking part in all discussion activities because they are not part of this forum yet. You are free to choose your level of participation. The more you participate the more opportunties and avenues you'll have to participate.
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;D
I got a better idea,why not have an exclusive members site ,on the condition members pay for access to a site that gives the locations,ownerships, recent sales. MOST IMPORTANT--site gives layouts of bounderies and aerial photos and neighbours lots ect. This a Price proposal,however if we treat it like condo fees,the charge can be managed. just imagine the savings, Few weeks ago, a buddy of mine bought(tax sale) a vacant land in Napanee--- he still can't locate it. now if we had access to MPAC's computers--no problem.
here is my proposal, it cost $2500 per year for acces to this site. One of us has the account and once tax sales (pin#s and addresses a must only) produces/posts the info on this site. Just imagine--250 members--thats $10 per year.That is a bargain. One individual is a must--can be abused.
Wanna hear a sad story? Ontario spent billions of dollars to computerize all lands in the registry offices under Mike Harris.Once they turffed him out the NDP sold the whole affair to his buddy for peanuts. Today that company charges hefty fees at the registry for searches and MPAC pays $100+ million for usage. Same bastUrds charge the $2500 fee mentioned above.
Ontario citizens got the raw boot,just as they did with the 407. Most don't know that Spain now ownes 407- Bought it at-5 cents to the dollar purchase-shamefull?
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I fail to see how anyone can complain when they are provided with a free service but want more. If you want more, join OTS.
Rob, thanks for running this forum. It is a great place with interesting characters and discussions. Very few of us understand how difficult it is to put something like this together and then to run it.
I agree, good job Rob
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I'm not complaining.
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For reasons I wish to keep private, I've been out of the bidding side for a few years, but keep up with this forum and with the tax sales postings in the Gazette. I really think that the members of the private section would probably confine their posts to that section, for the most part, which would hurt this board overall. I like the fact that a number of members, that have a broad knowledge of the process, have helped the newbees. I have no problem with members using the PM function to keep certain things private, but, again, would like to pose this: why would members strive to post 200 times, when they have no idea of the benefits of the private section, since they cannot acces it; as well, what sort of quality would run with trying to attain that number? I think it would make this forum (the public part, at least) a huge waste of time for the average member, and, as I failed to point out in the previous post, this is what would probably make me drop out.
When I read "I see by your recent karma", I thought netpred was refering to me, and, just now, paged up to see that I have 73 postings. but am afraid I cannot come up with another 127 comments. Maybe I can post 1 sentence at a time. ;>))
I just read Dave2's comment that "I will continue to try and help people private forum or no private forum. I reserve the right in cases where I want the property to help others less". BRAVO! Wish I'd thought of saying that.
I'm still wondering how Les' buddy bought vacant land in Napanee: how did he know what he was bidding on?