Our community here on ActiveRain is most fortunate. The founders have created a platform that provides a relatively safe and encouraging environment for fellow real estate professionals to interact with one another. We can come here to get our blogging feet wet, as it were, and have literally hundreds of helpful members cheering us on! Each time that we log on to ActiveRain, the flood gates of FREE relevant expert advice and knowledge are opened up, allowing us to fill our minds with helpful information.
Since becoming immersed in the social networking fray over the past several years, I've enjoyed a wide range of experiences on numerous platforms, spanning a variety of disciplines and interests. It's been interesting to observe how people interact on these varying networks, and how the respective site administrators deal with issues of impropriety or questionable behavior.
Many of the larger social networks simply do not have the time or the resources to deal with such things effectively, resulting in a uncontrolled 'free-for-all.' This is especially true on some of the political and gaming forums. Unless you have some pretty thick skin and aren't adverse to colorful language, it's best not to frequent such sites.
The ActiveRain Real Estate Network has three foundational documents that serve to help define our vision, purpose, philosophies, and expectations.
They are as follows:
ActiveRain’s Weltanschauung: The Guiding Principles and Philosophies of our Organization. The ActiveRain World View.
ActiveRain Community Guidelines: A short concise List of the ActiveRain Do's and Don'ts so we're all on the same page about what constitutes inappropriate behavior.
ActiveRain's Terms of Service: Some additional information aimed at making your experience on ActiveRain more enjoyable.
All three of these documents were created so people could better understand our mission, and assure them of a more valuable and beneficial experience on the network.
One of the main overarching tenets that is communicated throughout these documents is the importance of treating one another with respect and civility. We invite and encourage spirited debate and discourse. We desperately need opinions and views that are contrary to our own, to challenge, stimulate, and reinforce our thinking. However, we must do so without resorting to behavior that degrades, slanders, or attacks other members. Whenever we encounter differing views, we can elect to 'respectfully' disagree without compromising our professional integrity.
By treating one another with respect and civility, we offer the Consumer World a more favorable impression of our industry, and further contribute to the overall success of our community.
This is the place where I say that I hate Claire Culver. Well, I don't hate her. I just hate MeMes. They need to go ByeBye. They were fun the first 2 or 3 dozen times I got tagged. Okay, so I'm a party pooper. Send me to bed without dinner!
These are the rules:
Create a blog post with a link to the person(s) who tagged you.
List these rules in your post.
Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
Identify seven of your friends or contacts whom you will "tag" to be part of this meme. At the end of your post, list their names and the links to their blogs.
Let the friends whom you tagged, know that they've been tagged.
7 Things about Me that You couldn't care less about and have no desire to Know!
1. The night I proposed to my wife-to-be, she fell asleep.
2. I was the drum major of my high school marching band.
3. I called my Mother on the phone while I was 500 feet underwater.
4. I just recently lost 35 pounds.
5. A few Summers ago, the popular rock band 'Relient K' spent the day going crabbing with us and ate dinner at our house.
6. My oldest son, Ben, just wrote, published, and recorded his first song.
7. I was once the Youth Pastor for First Baptist Church of Honolulu Hawaii.
Now seriously, isn't your life so much more richer from knowing all these tantalizing tidbits?
In an effort to keep the few friends I still have, I respectfully decline to comply with Rules 4 & 5.
During a recent trek into the deep interior of the Rain Forest, to study the grazing habits of the North American Blogger (Posticus Obsessivus), a new species was discovered.
Commentus Deleticuswas first observed playing what appeared to be rudimentary game of 'Hide & Seek.' When encountering a comment on their blog that presented an opposing or contrarian opinion, this variety of blogger would eradicate the comment in its entirety, and quickly retreat back into their writer's lair.
Hello? McFly? There's a reason why it's called 'Conversational' blogging.
They say that if you 'AIM' at nothing, you'll hit it every time. This is especially true as it relates to our real estate business and the need for some consistent, intentional, and well-conceived planning. I am always amazed at how many people never take the time to honestly assess/evaluate their past year's marketing efforts, and then establish some realistic, measurable goals for the coming New Year.
Creating an effective Marketing Plan doesn't have to be overly-detailed or complicated. You don't have to be a Rocket Scientist or Spread Sheet Wizard to formulate a meaningful list of goal-oriented activities to keep you 'on-task' throughout the year.
One element of your 2009 Marketing Plan should include establishing a few strategic goals regarding the use of Social Media. This would obviously include blogging, as well as involvement in a few select social networking platforms. Now I know there will be a few nay-saying blogging purists who feel that imposing any kind of structure can tend to put a damper on a writer's 'creative flow.' Well, if your blog is simply a creative outlet, then just ignore my advice. However, if you're using your blog and other forms of social media to attract potential consumer clients, by all means, read on!
Let's begin with blogging....
Consistency is Key
For any meaningful marketing effort to be effective and result in sustained success, you must be willing to commit the necessary time and resources. Blogging is no exception. Regardless of whether you publish here on ActiveRain or on your own WordPress blog, consistent contribution is vital to gaining readership and achieving worthwhile ranking. The magic question is naturally 'How Often" should I post? One size doesn't fit all, and no two bloggers should be shoved into the same mold. But let's look at this question from a different perspective:
"How often do you want your readers to come back to your blog? Once a day? Once a week? Once a month?"
Today's Net-savvy consumers have become increasingly demanding for fresh, relevant information. Yesterday's news might as well be Last Year's news. Rest assured, if a visitor comes to your blog in December, and finds that your last market report is from September, they'll move on to find something more current.
One good strategy is to create regularly 'repeatable' features/articles on your blog, like monthly market reports, that will help to keep you on task. Some additional examples would be a weekly or monthly "Featured Listing," a "Local Business Profile," or a multi-part series, such as "Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying." These posts will help to supplement your regular published content, and fill in the blanks when a temporary spell of writer's block hits.
A word of caution is warranted at this point. Don't over tax your expectations to the point where writing becomes a chore or a burden. Nothing will quench your inner muse more or take all the fun/enjoyment out of writing than imposing unrealistic goals.
Content is King
There are no easy formulas or short-cuts for success when it comes to blogging. Some may attempt to gain coveted Search Engine ranking by employing various 'gimmicks' purported by self-proclaimed SEO experts. While these so-called 'techniques' may help to drive traffic to your blog, they don't 'engage' visitors or give them any reason to 'stick' around. Generating good, valued 'consumer-oriented' content offers your readers meaningful information that is specific to their interests/needs. Publishing this kind of content to your blog requires that you grasp the 3 Knows of Business Blogging:
'Know' Your Stuff. A primary aspect of blogging is to establish your position and perception as a local expert.
'Know' Your Audience. You understand who you are writing to, and what information is most vital/helpful to them.
'Know' Their Language. You can relate to your readers in ways that are relevant to their culture.
Blogging is such an effective medium for real estate professionals to utilize because is allows the consumer to become an active part of the conversation. It enables you to convey a sense of your unique personality, passion, and perspective through your writing. It takes stale static information and breathes new dynamic, interactive life into it. Blogging can effectively eliminate or significantly reduce the typically uncomfortable 'courting' period between agent and client, giving consumers a better understanding of who and what you are before ever meeting you.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~
In the next installment, we'll discuss setting some realistic measurable goals for implementing the use of social networking into your business for 2009.
In their latest e-mail installment, TechCrunch, the Internet watchdog, whistle blower, and soothsayer profiled about Twingly, the social blog search engine (similar to Technorati) that has recently launched BlogRank as a way to identify the 100 most important blogs in 12 different languages based on a proprietary ranking system.
As I scrolled down the list of the Top 100 ranked sites, I was pleased to find many that I already subscribe to and read consistently. They include:
There is a tendency for many of our members to become somewhat isolated within the comforting confines of ActiveRain, and never venture out into the greater blogosphere, beyond the realm of real estate, and see a much larger, global picture.
I want encourage you to embark upon an adventure today - to journey outside your comfort zone, to step out into the vast reaches of the Blog Galaxy - and discover new blog frontiers! Begin to develop a strategic subscription list in your reader of the blogs you find of most value.
Expand your horizons, expand your mind, expand your success!
VA offers an Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan, IRRRL, for veterans with no qualifying on credit or income. (Please note exceptions below) This loan is for the purpose of lowering the veteran's interest rate from one VA guaranteed mortgage loan to another. The new loan must be at a lower interest rate than the existing loan unless the loan being refinanced is a VA Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
Generally, no credit, income or underwriting is required to close the loan automatically. As stated above, there are exceptions that will be covered at the end. The IRRRL must have a lower principal and interest (P&I) than the current loan, unless an ARM is being refinanced, the new loan is a shorter term or energy efficiency improvements are included in the IRRRL.
The closing costs may be financed in an IRRRL but no appraisal is required. If the payment increases by 20% or more due to any of the reasons above, the income and debts must be underwritten. A statement showing how long it will take to recoup all closing costs (both included in the new loan and any paid outside of closing) must be signed by the veteran, acknowledging the effect of refinancing the loan.
NOTE: If the current loan is delinquent, it is still possible to refinance under this program but will require pre-approval from the VA. In the case of a delinquent loan refinance, late payments and late charges, plus reasonable costs if legal action has commenced may be added to the loan. The program is not one that can be done without income verification.
It is possible to do an IRRRL for a veteran and new spouse, the widowed spouse of the veteran, the veteran and a different spouse, the divorced veteran alone but not for the divorced spouse alone or the widowed spouse if she/he was not on the original loan. There could be income requirements on these exceptions.
IRRRLs are available for properties that are not currently occupied by the veteran or spouse of an active service member if he or she previously occupied the property as his or her home.
In today's falling rate environment, it is possible that an IRRRL would create significant savings for a veteran. The only way to find out is to check with a mortgage professional such as me. I would be happy to run the numbers and see if this is something that will save you money on your mortgage. Just because it might lower your payment, is not necessarily the right thing to do. It is always better to see what the cost of the loan will be and how long it will take to recoup those costs. That is where I come in; I will work those costs out for you and give you insight as to what should work for you.
authored by Fred Chamberlin, senior loan consultant, Eugene/Springfield Oregon, 541-342-7576
During a recent meeting with one of our local real estate offices, a question came up about how to create an effective Internet presence through the use of social media/networks. A comment was made about how many profile pictures are out-dated, and give an 'inaccurate' representation of the particular person.
It reminded me of the time when I had just begun my real estate career back in Kansas (please, no 'Wizard of Oz' jokes). There was a female agent in a competing office who advertised rather aggressively through printed media, billboards, and even the screen at the local movie theater. There was always an ongoing debate as to whether her glamor shots had been re-touched or enhanced. I remember the first time I met this agent in person. I was having coffee at a local haunt, when a fellow agent pointed her out. My reaction was somewhat embarrassing. It was the first time in my life that I had 'sprayed' someone in a public place. To say that she bore absolutely no resemblance to her ad shots would be an gross understatement. It was a very stark contrast between a 'created' image versus the 'real deal.'
Back in the booming Gold Rush Days, towns went up literally overnight. Rather than investing in strong, permanent structures, owners would construct 'false fronts' to provide an attractive visual aesthetic for their place of business. Many times, behind the alluring 'false front,' was a weathered, run-down shell that lacked strength or substance.
As you invest the time, energy, and resources to create and enhance your Internet presence/image, does it reflect who you are in 'real-life?' When you engage people in conversations on your blog, are they reading 'Your' own unique thoughts, words, and opinions? When you finally meet your clients in person, face-to-face, what kind of reaction will you invoke?
I just wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for our Rain Radio guests today - CEO of Reply.com, Mr. Payam Zamani, and CMO Brian Bowman. I knew that this was going to be a rather 'lively' topic, but I think Payam and Brian did an excellent job at articulating their value proposition, and providing our members with a better understanding of the lead generation industry, and specifically how their company is evolving in the Web 2.0 culture.
Today's broadcast was yet another successful and wonderfully informative session, made possible by our own skillful Rain Radio Host, Brad Andersohn. Thanks as well to all our ActiveRain members who participated in the Rain Radio Chat Room, especially Moderator Elizabeth Nieves, and for those of you who engaged our guests with such well-thought questions.
If you missed today's broadcast, you can listen to it in its entirety HERE!
UPDATE:
During our interview yesterday, Payman and Brian referred to their new product release called "Click MarketPlace.' Here is a TechCrunch article about this new product.
A BIG 'Thanks!' to the agents and staff of Windermere Peninsula Properties in Allyn WA for enduring participating in our meeting this morning!
Richard Bell, Managing Broker of Windermere Peninsula Properties (with two offices serving the North Mason market - Allyn and Belfair) is a member of ActiveRain, along with several of his agents, including Dinah Lee Griffey, Valerie Spaulding, and Michelle Roethle. I had commented on one of Richard's posts a couple weeks ago, and our dialog turned into an opportunity for me to visit their office and talk with their agents about Web 2.0, Social Media, Blogging, and ActiveRain.
I received the following announcement earlier today that social network "Pownce" is calling it quits on December 15th:
We are sad to announce that Pownce is shutting down on December 15, 2008. As of today, Pownce will no longer be accepting new users or new pro accounts.
To help with your transition, we have built an export tool so you can save your content. You can find the export tool at Settings > Export. Please export your content by December 15, 2008, as the site will not be accessible after this date.
Our thanks go out to everyone who contributed to the Pownce community,
The Pownce Crew
I was one of the fortunate ones who luckily garnered an early invite. At one point, invitations were so scarce that they were attracting some serious 'buckage' on eBay.
Launched in June 2007 and opened to the public the following January, 'Pownce' was touted as 'Twitter on Steroids' and offered some really cool discussion tracking features. However, the micro-blogging vacuum had been filling quickly with the likes of Twitter and others, and Pownce never really seem to gain the kind of traction it deserved.
We wish the creative founders of Pownce, Leah Culver and Mike Malone, the very best of luck in their new roles at Six Apart.
"Singin' in the Rain!" Committed to helping our beloved ActiveRain Community reach its fullest potential! With All of us, working together, we can effect amazing positive change in our industry and in the lives of the valued clients that we all serve!
Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)
Our community here on ActiveRain is most fortunate. The founders have created a platform that provides a relatively safe and encouraging environment for fellow real estate professionals to interact with one another. We can come here to get our blogging feet wet, as it were, and have literally hundreds of helpful members cheering us on! Each time that we log on to ActiveRain, the flood gates of FREE relevant expert advice and knowledge are opened up, allowing us to fill our minds with helpful information. 
Posted by 
During a recent meeting with one of our local real estate offices, a question came up about how to create an effective Internet presence through the use of social media/networks. A comment was made about how many profile pictures are out-dated, and give an 'inaccurate' representation of the particular person.
I just wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for our Rain Radio guests today - CEO of 
