With his position and influence he should have been the last person to cast stones.

Look for job and commercial influences, hospitals, educational influences and recreational centers. and compare your subject area to other similar areas in all directions.

Laws of substitution also apply in valuations, what a good or service might be valued at is influenced by other goods or services that may be substituted that provide the same or nearly the same benefit. 

A sale contract can be voided, at the seller's discretion, if the seller was "unduly influenced" by the buyer. 

My obligation always is to deliver the best risk adjusted return on every invested dollar.. so unlike some, emotion influences no part of my decision..

@Rick Bassett Dodd Frank reform and changes in tax policy will definitely influence the price of the SFH market.

Or is my financial standing a big influence on this?

In fact, it was the podcast that got me to read the book, as so many people mentioned it as one of their influences. 

This was the hotels paying for influence in San Diego, pure and simple. 

The biggest influence/motivator for me is when I'm in an airplane, looking out the window, seeing the whole city right below me.