Richard, a good spin doctor can certainly make stats look different than they really are. Many seem to go brain dead when a stat is presented to them. It is a statistic, therefor it must be true.

But you are right, stats are in the eye of the beholder for sure. 

RICHARD WEISSER    Interesting post and very true.  I once read a book titled "How to Lie with statistics"  and it covered the same subject.

Yes, stats can be misused.  On the flip side, it's interesting that around 80% consider themselves to be above average drivers.

I remember when I took my first stats course.  I went from believing in numbers to not trusting them anymore!

Hi Richard Weisser -

Good take on the subject.  I really don't have much faith in stats.  It's just a bunch of yadda, yadda to me.  Looks like we're in for a lot of white noise between now and November 2016.

If a stat states the blatantly obvious (like your title), then we're the dummies for paying attention!

Good evening Richard,

Yes it is how one wants the numbers to work for them and also hope the audience is not smart enough to check to see if they are true.

Make yourself a great day.

As Disraeli famously said, "there are lies, damn lies, and statistics".

Richard...we need your wisdom back on this forum...come on back

Where there is a politician, there is a statistic being found or twisted to fit their need.

Richard Weisser I too have missed your everyday posts! I will bet 90% of us wish you were back and the other 30% do too!

I di't put much stock in stats or in polls.  Especially if politics are involved!

Richard, statistic abuse drives me crazy, especially in the context of electoral politics - at every level!

"Baseball is 90 percent mental and the other half is physical."  

- the late, great Yogi Berra

Stats could be twisted anyway you want to your advantage.

You really do need to make money to spend on certain levels. This shouldn't surprise anyone really.

Stats are designed to prove our particular point rather than find truth really.

I laugh at some the figures and stats quoted all the time: Like;

People that buy more gasoline tend to drive bigger cars. 

Good morning Richard Weisser,

Great article and I love how you call it out because statistics can be interrupted so many ways. As  comments "a good spin doctor can certainly make stats look different than they really are."

Statistics reminds me of an old saying...figures don't lie, but liars figure. 

Richard, Every day we're given a chance to exercise some critical thinking.  And every month when I do market reports I have the choice of "50% drop in home sales compared to last month" or "September Year To Year comparisons flat".  Both are true, one causes panic, the other sets a realistic expectation for this time of year.

Is that why every little town, village and  hamlet boasts the "Top Real Estate Agent in the Country"? ... I've never been able to figure that one out.

 87% of statistics that you read on the internet are totally made up.

--- Abraham Lincoln

Worksmithing is an art and can be used to support a stance, take the brunt off of a wrong or simply shed new light on the topic.  It's all in how you present, spin and defend.  Nice post Richard!

Good post.  Statistics in Real Estate are always interesting.  Take the "median" home price and "average" home price, there is a difference but most people don't know what it is.  Then there are statistics by county or city, which may vary by zip code.  Statistics definitely give the user an opportunity to use correct information but present it with the angle which best benefits the presenter!

Richard Weisser we all know how to skew statistics - and use it to our best advantage!

Someone is #1 in specific area because he/she sold the only home sold in last 3 years!

I guess, it's a human nature to prove the facts by misguiding general population - and at times, use some stats that has no meaning at all, like the title in your post.

Richard- this is so true.  Numbers-stats are real, but you have to look at who's doing the interpreting. 

So many of the statistics out there are manipulated to sway people in specific directions.  Especially the ones provided by the government or special interest groups. 

Hmm -- it is interesting to see how folks can manipulate and spin statistics for their own ends.

Hi, I enjoyed your post and it's current message. Glad I came across it the archives.