Jamie - please don't get rid of the blog - it is my favorite Baltimore Sun Blog - I read it every day!! My heart breaks to hear that it is interfering with your work/life balance. If reducing the number of blog posts will help you unwind at home - let's do it!

Beth, that's very kind of you -- thanks for understanding.

I hope everyone realizes that this isn't a ploy to fish for compliments or the like, by the way! This blog is a two-way street, and I'd rather not change it without your input.

Jamie,
Life is too short to get too stressed out. However, I think the blog is helpful to your readers, and also your career. In your business, exposure and name recognition do matter.

Thus, as a balance, I think 1-2 posts/week makes the most sense.

We are no longer in a housing boom, or even a bust now, it is most accurately described as "housing doldrums." There simply isn't that much housing news these days.

Aside from telling all of Baltimore how homeowners can exploit the loophole in the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act by drawing up a lease agreement with someone who is sympathetic to their situation, what else is there right now?

The most interesting threads you have had have delved into the social justice and morality side of things: taxes, bailouts, foreclosure abuse, how corrupt and self serving is the typical real estate agent?

Thanks for the suggestions, DR and Josh. (And don't worry, Josh, that PTFA post is coming. Monday's the plan.)

Jamie, I think what you do is really important. I've learned so much from your articles and the comments of others. Is it possible for you to write fewer blogs/articles and then on the days when you are relaxing, maybe a guest blogger can post something? I like the idea of giving people an outlet to talk about housing because it is such a primary cause of our recession. Like Josh, I also like the posts about social justice and moral issues. And the posts about Baltimore City are always interesting as well because half of the readers think the city is a nightmare and the other see it as a vital part of our future as Marylanders.

The first three are all good suggestions for lightening the load.

I'd suggest also re-blogging from other sources occasionally, as a way to keep the beast fed.

I am in total agreement with Beth! I love the informative blogs thatTthe Sun provides, but cutting back to implement more of a work / life balance for its journalists is certainly understandable and encouraged.

Not only do you give a lot of excellent information in your posts and articles, I also love that the comments contain even more info. I'll admit, I find the comments here to be some of the most civil ones I've found for the Sun online.

Hey, did anyone else step up to do the profile like the one I did for my house? I'd love to see what other people are buying!

I've never followed a blog before, and since I've bought my house over 8 months ago, I'm still reading! I do like the idea about reposting from other locations, there was an article in the Washington Post a year or so ago about squatters that would have been interesting to read out in the Baltimore sun, I'm sure the city has the same problem.

Jamie, thank you for all of your hard work. I hope that you maintain the blog, however; if you are ready to move on, I would suggest handing the torch over to another blogger completely instead of reducing your activity or going on 'hiatus'.

I'd like one prominent realtor each week to guest blog and have a truly honest discourse about market conditions. I dont think any are brave enough though and certainly wouldnt say anything that wasnt out of the realtor playbook ( its a good time to buy and sell, blah blah blah)

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! It's useful to know that at least some of you would be happy to have "here's a link to an interesting story" posts.

Amy, I love the civility here. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling that people with strong and sometimes opposing opinions can get along. As for the home profiles, I had someone else lined up and almost ready to go -- photos and everything -- but she was never able to find the time to answer the associated questions. (I can sympathize with the time problem.) Getting that restarted is one of my priorities when (OK, if) the daily workload eases.

Nick T., the Sun blogs have to be run by Sun folks, and I haven't gotten the sense that there's anyone else at 501 N. Calvert Street with an interest in taking over, or even sharing the load. (When I went on maternity leave in '08, no one stepped in for me.) But if someone is willing, that would be a definite option.

elweedz, weekly guest posts by experienced real estate agents could be very interesting. Thank you for the suggestion!

Jamie, I vote for fewer posts. Please keep the blog going. We moved to NC (largely due to inability to find a decent home in MD) and even now I sometimes stop by to read your blog. It was very helpful to me when we were still searching in MD and it was nice to see from the comments that there're still some sane people out there. :)

Thank you for your work.

Jelena, thanks for coming back even though you're no longer in Maryland. (I remember your frustrating search for a home from your comments.)

I know how easy it can be to get sucked into dragging work home, but you have to protect your off hours! We will still be here if you post fewer times each week, and I think looking for guest bloggers or even reblogging other links are great ideas. I love reading your posts and would hate for you to get burned out!

Jamie, I've always found your blog to be full of good infomation — in your postings and in the comments that follow. While I hope you will continue to post once or twice a week, I'm also a big believer in a work/life balance, and having some breathing room and downtime in your life is very important! Links to other articles or Web sites that might interest the Wonk readership would be just as welcome as a full-blown post! Hang in there!

I'd like to see something every once in a while as maybe a self help in updating your homes or where to find housewares to keep your home Baltimore themed or even odd things that you can't find in the stores. For example, my floor register is 12by14 but we had to shorten it to 10by14 for the trim, you have to special order a 10by14 from lowes or home depot and it doeson't look as good. So I went to Second Chance who sent us over to Housewerks on Baynard & we found the most amazing 10by14 steel grate that is 100 years old and it looks great.