Four years ago today the first post here was published. To be honest, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, or even why I was doing it.
Four years later, I’m still not exactly sure what I’m doing. And sometimes I wonder why.
But do it I must. Over the years, this little corner of the Internet has gone through name changes (we started out as the “Arizona Real Estate Blog”), a domain name change (I bet no one remembers that we used to be at BuyGilbertHomes.com), hosting changes and Lord knows how many theme changes and modifications.
I distinctly remember the first time TPREG got 100 visitors in a week. I wondered then why in the world almost 15 people a day would come by to see my ramblings. That over 1,000 unique individuals will stop by today still blows my mind.
And really it is for you, “Oh avid reader”, that I continue down this path. Don’t get me wrong, I love the business this thing generates. And certainly that is a large chunk of the answer to the “why do you do it?” question.
But that’s not the only reason. As corny as it sounds, this silly blog is a part of me and my life.
I can’t begin to describe how much I’ve learned in the last four years from this endeavor. For that I thank all the other bloggers, in real estate and beyond, those that comment and email, and those I laugh and share with “In Real Life”. Hopefully I’ve been able to pay a little of that knowledge forward. I’ve met so many people, and experienced so many things as a result of doing this that I can’t fathom ever giving it up.
On this fourth blogiversary, I want to express my sincere appreciation for everyone that’s ever stopped by. Ever read a post, ever left a comment, searched for a home, or ever linked to something I wrote. And of course to those that found us here and trusted us to help you buy or sell a home, you have my deepest gratitude. A lot of people have stopped by this blog and your support, contributions and readership over the last four years has made this one remarkable journey.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And hang on, because the next four years ought to be a wild ride!
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Oh wise one, thank you for helping lead the way. Thank you for being one to lead the way, stub your toe, test the waters for those of us who haven’t been at it for 4 years! Happy Birthday my friend!
I’ve laughed with you, cried with you and learned with you. Jay, thank you!
Looking forward to the years ahead here at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy and our years ahead where we get to hang out at different events around the country.
Happy Birthday! And, in “blog years”…..this makes TPREG……4×7=28? 36? or…?? Definitely, a seasoned veteran. HBirthday.
Happy 4th birthday to the best darn blogger … anywhere
**howard´s last blog post..Spoleto Festival USA 2009
Happy Birthday my friend.
keep on truckin, congrats on making it 4 years and here’s to more!
Hi Jay! I am new to your blog — first visit yesterday — but have already found it useful and entertaining. I look forward to following along in the coming years. Congrats on 4 successful years so far!
Happy Fourth Blogiversary! I’m sure this is just the very beginning of your wild ride … I know that I feel privileged to tag along and see what happens. Only good things to come, my friend…only good things
As usual you were ahead of the curve. Happy B’day!
**BawldGuy Talking´s last blog post..When It Makes Sense To Refinance — Watch Out For Stealth ‘Boot’
Happy 4th bloggin Bday!
Happy Birthday Jay and TPREG – While you make many of us look like beginners, you have shown us greatness. Thank You!
**Paula Henry´s last blog post..Seller, Protect Yourself!
Happy birthday Phoenix Real Estate Guy! This is truly one of the real estate blogs I always enjoy reading, no matter what the topic.
Keep it up!
Happy B’det to one of the best bloggers and human beings on the face of the re.net. Jay, you ARE the Phoenix Real Estate Guy. http://www.thegothamguide.com/image.axd?picture=2009%2F3%2Fbidet-beer.jpg
**jfsellsius´s last blog post..2 Months of Free Animoto Video
Four years! Wow! That’s a lot of blogging! Congrats on making it to your 4th birthday, and best wishes for many more! (Blogging DOES seem to be addictive, doesn’t it?)
**Paige´s last blog post..Rather sad
Thanks everyone for the well wishes!
(And a special thanks to Joe for the “Bidet O’ Beer”. I think…
)
Four more years
Four more years
Four more years
Can’t wait!
**Shailesh Ghimire´s last blog post..BBB of Greater Arizona Gets Social
And the legend lives on! Looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve for year 5
Happy Blogiversary, Jay!
**Lisa Sanderson´s last blog post..Water Gap Home Is Not Sold…Yet!
Wow! So it only SEEMED like you’ve been around for-e-ver.
Congratulations Jay. You and your blog are a fine piece of work!
Congratulations on your anniversary, Jay. It’s been a pleasure knowing you and having the benefit of you keen insight.
You may not think you know what you’re doing, but from the outside, you’ve nailed it in my opinion.
Cheers.
Happy Birthday! I am one of your newbie readers and had no idea it had been 4 years.
**James Wheelock´s last blog post..$369,000 :: 7418 Bearden Falls Ln, Humble TX, 77396
Happy Birthday, Grandaddy…
You rock.
**Nick Bastian´s last blog post..Weekend extension of light rail hours takes step forward
Happy Birthday Jay!
Keep rockin’ it
**Ricardo Bueno´s last blog post..Cleaning House: in search of greater relationship symmetry
Good on ya, Jay. Congratulations! Four years s a long time to do anything. To keep a blog alive and vibrant for that long is a stellar accomplishment. Bravo!
**Greg Swann´s last blog post..Multiple blog hosting and your files. A Project Bloodhound inquiry for DIY WordPress publishing.
Great Work buddy.
Blogging for such a long period is not an easy task. I will appreciate you for this splendid work. Bravo!
Happy 4th birthday! Phoenix real estate dude! I checked, you rank for that too!
**Colleen´s last blog post..Country Ridge Homes | Richland Washington
Happy Birthday Phoenix Real Estate Guy!! Sorry I’m a couple of days late (and yes a dollar short), but I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer good tidings to an inspirational place on the Internet for me.
4 more years!!
4 more years!!
**Todd Tarson´s last blog post..Property rights under attack (what else in new??)
Congrats, Jay!
Your insight is always knowledgeable and entertaining. Here’s wishing you many more years of blogging enjoyment!
Happy 4 years of blogging!! You have a wonderfully informative and entertaining corner of the internet here-thank you for sharing and here is to many more years of blogging!
Congrats Jay!
I don’t know why you do it either, but I do know we looked to you when we started this gig 2.5 years ago.. Lead on!
**Chris Butterworth´s last blog post..The MLS Is Wrong
You folks are all far too kind. Surely there is someone out there thinking, “Four years is enough, shut up all ready!”
I appreciate all your kind wishes.
Happy Birthday!! It is hard to imagine your blog with only 15 readers…looking at your little map in the sidebar, I’d say you are having a very nice, positive impact on quite a few people. Thanks for all the great reads!
Jay – as a relatively new visitor to your site (my SEO guy told me to come here), it has been an extremely enlightening experience to find out how much I don’t know about what I do for a living. Your perspective on national trends and major – MAJOR – issues that affect my ability to earn a living (the MIBOR debacle in particular) helped turned me in to an advocate and got me to stop sitting on my hands and just trusting the powers that be.
I relish what the next four years of Jay will bring – and I’m proud to be a follower.
**Joe´s last blog post..April Showers, May Flowers?
Happy 4 years of blogging!! You have a wonderful piece of the internet here that I enjoy coming by to read; congrats!!
Keep up the great bloggin! Happy Birthday!!!
**Margaret Safford-Metro Atlanta Real Estate´s last blog post..Does the Metro Atlanta Real Estate Market Mimic the New HGTV Shows?
It is wonderful to see how far you have come in 4 years! I hope I can put in the hours to get my blog as “big” in a few years! Time and effort sure do pay off; thanks for the great read-I always enjoy stopping by and learn so much great information here. Thank you and happy birthday!
Happy Belated Birthday! I am a relatively new reader and I know I’ll be back for more. Good job and here’s to four more years!
McKinney TX Homes
Happy Birthday! I wish you many more blog years to come. I hope you continue to do what you do and like Trey, I know I’ll be coming back for more.
Frisco Real Estate Texas
Happy Birthday, Phoenix Real Estate Guy! You have such a great blog and you serve as a wonderfuly strong voice in our community-keep up the great work!