China’s real estate community has spoken, and it wants more investment transaction data.
Last week I launched the first Mingtiandi reader survey to find out what you – the readers of this site thought would be the most useful new features to add. The survey was mailed to more than 500 of the most avid readers of Mingtiandi and I received more than 30 responses.
Detailed Results
About the Statistics
The clear preference was for Mingtiandi to include an investment transaction reporting system, with readers on average ranking this feature at 3.58 out of 5. This high ranking was achieved despite 8 respondents giving that feature a score of only 1 out of 5, so there are clearly some readers who really want better reporting on investment deals.
The battle for second place is much tighter as the proposed Developer Stock Price Reporting system was ranked on average at a level of 2.94, followed by Property Listings ranked at 2.87.
The Agency Reputation Tracker and Agency Research Comparison both achieved a ranking of 2.81, so those items will receive a bit lower priority for development at Mingtiandi.
Next Steps
Following all of this reader input, I’ve come up with a plan for expanding the coverage of Mingtiandi. This plan, like all plans is subject to change without notice.
Developer Stock Price Reports
While the readers have stated their preference, at Mingtiandi we look for easy wins, and the Developer Stock Price Reporting system is much easier to build than the Investment Transaction Reporting System.
Basically, I build a system to pull data from finance news feeds, channel it into an online reporting system, and display some nice charts for you on the site.
Readers can expect to see the Stock Price Reporting System debut in Mingtiandi during October.
Building an Investment Transaction Reporting System
This project is a bit more involved and it means setting up a transaction database, and fusing it with an online business intelligence system that users can view the results of on the site. I’m aiming to have that done after Chinese New Year.
Agency Research Comparisons
I will aim to make these available quarterly on the site following the release of the agency market updates. Expect to see this in January as well.
Property Listings
I’m still figuring out how to make this easy to update without having to call dozens of developers each week. Do you think I could count on my broker readers to send me information on their available deals each week?
Some Sample Reader Suggestions
In addition to the multiple choice question, I also got some great suggestions from readers about how to improve Mingtiandi. Some things I hadn’t thought of before, and I appreciated all your contributions.
Here are a few of the suggestions and my response to each of them.
Hi, I really enjoy your daily newsletter! Being an architect I would selfishly enjoy more information about the design aspects of the real estate developerments. Who was commissioned? Why?
OK, OK, I will start searching for more design related headlines.
International Investment by Chinese Investors and Developers
Mingtiandi covers this pretty regularly – just check the Outbound Investment category page, but we are always looking for more.
I am usually on a train, taxi, bus or john when I read it so it needs to be in mobile format. Also a visible reference section on the latest regs on foreign investment restrictions would be good.
You are obviously someone who needs uninterrupted access to Mingtiandi, so I created a new mobile version in answer to your plea.
Follow news and developments from real estate associations like BOMA China or Corenet.
OK, but isn’t news about business events even more tiresome than the events themselves? (Just joking). But seriously – how about we aim for announcements of events before they happen. Maybe a real estate industry event calendar that you could subscribe to? Then we can always report on any results of the events if they make the press.
Provide sample property sales – historic and current. Example – typical 120/M2 in CBD sold in 2005 for XX, in 2012 sold for YY (for A grade office and residential).
I would love to include this feature, and if anyone can point me in the direction of a good information source, then I will be happy to start slicing and dicing data. Suggestions?
I would like to see more logistics sector news
My website, RightSite.asia covers logistics and industrial news pretty thoroughly in Chinese and English. Check it out!
Leasing transaction information
Once again, I would be very happy to report on leasing transaction, but I just need the numbers. If any brokers or developers out there want to start sending in information on their latest deals, then I will be glad to report on this.
Links to other property research sources, including other markets.
Alright, so a page of reference links with information sources for real estate professionals. I think this could be arranged. I love suggestions that are easily implemented.
See you are busy now really working on your site Mike. Mom
Mom, stop writing to me at my blog. This is a serious business enterprise and you are embarrassing me in front of all these people!
About the Survey
While I like to have fun with this blog, this was a serious survey. The survey was distributed via email to the most active readers of Mingtiandi, as well as being available on the site directly.
I used the SurveyMonkey online survey system to conduct the poll, and potential responses to the question were randomized to prevent any unnecessary bias based on order of appearance.
I hope you enjoyed contributing and I thank all of you for your responses.
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