After years of pointing to skyrocketing sales and price data to hype the market, the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors is now taking the fifth as the market has turned less favorable for the group. From the Santa Barbara News-Press:

“Over the past several years, the News-Press has obtained sales and median price data for the South Coast from the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors. The group recently told the News-Press that it now refuses to make this data available to the newsroom. Other associations of Realtors across the county willingly continue to share sales and price information with the paper.”

Is this the “grown-up” version of taking your ball and going home when you don’t get your way on the playground? This is a foolish decision that’s going to do more harm than good. But perhaps no one will notice
Home sales on a slide across the county [News-Press]
Santa Barbara Realtors ‘Refuse’ To Share Data [HousingBubble2]
If It’s Bad News, We Won’t Tell You [Walk-Through/NYT]
Santa Barbara Association of Realtors Refuse to Release Sales Data [BubbleMeter]