Question: What makes first tuesday Journal different from other websites that offer real estate news?
Answer: first tuesday Journal is a resource geared specifically to real estate professionals in California. It is not funded or biased by ads or trade associations. Rather, it is funded directly by California real estate professionals who take first tuesday educational courses.
The first tuesday Journal has existed since 1978, first in print and later in its current online form. Its goal is to inform and educate members of California’s real estate profession, unique in a media landscape which caters to national audiences and end users of real estate (buyers, sellers and renters).
Where do you get your information?
We reference a wide variety of data sources, including the U.S. Census, California’s Employment Development Department, CoreLogic and Zillow, to name just a few. We read all of California’s major news sources for potential local real estate updates and direct our readers to this news when it impacts your practice. Most importantly, we always tell our readers where our facts and figures come from so you can be sure you’re receiving accurate information.
Our editorial staff combs through legislation for new and pending laws that may impact California real estate professionals, and provide updates on a monthly basis. Going deeper, we publish full digests of the most important law changes, highlighting how they impact you, our readers.
How is first tuesday Journal funded?
We are funded by money from first tuesday’s educational wing, which provides licensing, continuing education and state exam prep courses for real estate agents and brokers and mortgage brokers.
The journal began as a benefit for all of our students to keep up with updates between license renewals, but now it is free for anyone to access and read.
Does first tuesday Journal have a political leaning or bias?
With our long-term market presence, our end goal is always to help the real estate market reach a sustainable and healthy market, not to endorse any short-lived political goals. Therefore, we strive to keep political bias out of our writings.
But, due to the politically-sensitive nature inherent to some of the topics we report on, some of our readers may disagree with the stances we take.
Some of these contentious topics include:
- tax aspects of real estate;
- immigration laws as they impact the housing market;
- federal and state housing policies; and
- zoning issues.
However, we do not shun readers who disagree with our stances. They are welcome to form their own opinions with the data we present alongside any stances or insights found in our articles.
Related article:
Letter to the Editor: Why are first tuesday writings politically biased?
Why don’t you report on other parts of the country?
We often receive requests for information on housing trends or practices in states other than California. However, our journal focuses solely on the Golden State, though occasionally we comment on national trends that impact California (e.g. federal tax changes).
The local nature of real estate necessitates a local approach, and our offices are located in Riverside, California, with a network of professionals across the state.
Do you have a question for our editorial staff? Email your question to editorial@firsttuesday.us.
