ActiveRain Success Stories

Joelle Embres, Re/Max Advisors (jsellhomes@live.com): Real Estate Agent in Parkland, FL Joelle Embres, Re/Max Advisors (jsellhomes@live.com) said over 11 years ago,
"I just became a Rainmaker!! Im meeting so many potential clients and Its really increasing my exposure on the web. Just having an account gave me so much opportunity to learn. Now being a Rainmaker I can't wait to see what the future holds!!"
FGP International: Services for Real Estate Pros in Greenville, NC FGP International said over 11 years ago,
"FGP International is a client-focused company that takes pride in partnering with you as you build a great company."
Diane Playan (Rock View Realty): Real Estate Agent in Cayucos, CA Diane Playan (Rock View Realty) said over 11 years ago,
"COMING SOON!!!!!!"
Curt Baumgarth, inactive: Real Estate Sales Representative in Mesa, AZ Curt Baumgarth, inactive said over 11 years ago,
"I have met some great contacts on AR and even more importantly, learned alot about Real Estate, Laws, trends, and blogging info! Thanks to everyone!"
Linda Pollock (Setting The Stage, LLC): Home Stager in Tenafly, NJ Linda Pollock (Setting The Stage, LLC) said over 11 years ago,
"After joining the Activerain Community a few years ago, I was contacted by a local Realtor and have done many successful stagings for him and his colleagues.
It is hard to keep up with the postings of what is going on with our company, and posting on so many networks. Please check out our websites for the most current information at www.settingthestagenj.net www.theclosetdepot.net or www.njhmg.com"
Mykel Martin, Realty Masters & Associates ((909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com): Real Estate Agent in Rancho Cucamonga, CA Mykel Martin, Realty Masters & Associates ((909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com) said over 11 years ago,
"Ever wonder just how far-reaching ActiveRain actually is? You've got to read the blog I just posted at
(http://activerain.com/blogsview/1835682/blogging-on-activerain-is-a-waste-of-time-after-all-who-reads-blogs-anyway-) to find out just how powerful ActiveRain is and why I love blogging here on ActiveRain."
Courtney Cooper, 206-850-8841 (Cooper Jacobs): Real Estate Agent in Seattle, WA Courtney Cooper, 206-850-8841 (Cooper Jacobs) said over 11 years ago,
"Active Rain has really changed the way I do business and I will never look back! Many of my closings from 2008 can be linked back to Active Rain and I already have a steady stream of great clients for 2009 who found me right here! These are people I would have not met otherwise.

The people who work so hard behind Active Rain know exactly what they are doing and are on the cutting edge. If you choose anything at all to add to your business plan, make it Active Rain!"
Dom Naidoo, Malibu to the Marina Real Estate (Westside Properties): Real Estate Agent in Venice, CA Dom Naidoo, Malibu to the Marina Real Estate (Westside Properties) said over 11 years ago,
"I have met a LOT of very well connected professionals on the ActiveRain network. My web presence has grown tremendously! I have already referred deals to other ActiveRain members in different states. I truly would feel handicapped if I did not have this network!"
Steve Avrus, AVRUS | Bank Says No! We Say Yes! (Avrus Financial & Mortgage Services, Inc.): Real Estate Broker/Owner in Boca Raton, FL Steve Avrus, AVRUS | Bank Says No! We Say Yes! (Avrus Financial & Mortgage Services, Inc.) said over 11 years ago,
"Why should I choose Avrus Financial?

Avrus Financial is a family owned business that has been successfully closing mortgages since 1982. Steve Avrus, owner and principle broker, has over 37 years in the financial and mortgage industry and understands what it takes to close loans quickly and successfully while making customers happy.

Avrus Financial is licensed, insured and bonded as direct lenders and brokers in the Florida and Georgia, through Florida’s Department of Financial Services and The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Avrus’ management and employees are your neighbors, and the majority of Avrus’ business comes from referrals through previous customers and local real estate professionals. Look through real estate social media sites and you’ll find plenty of fly-by-night lenders. Avrus Financial has decades of experience, and will be here when you need them.

What is the minimum credit score?
Minimum credit score is the lowest rating (on a scale of 800) you can have and still qualify for a home loan. You need a good (not perfect) score of 580+ to qualify.

How can we find out if we can qualify for a mortgage?
The best way to find out if you can qualify is to complete a mortgage application. You’ll need to show sufficient savings in your personal bank account for a down payment of five to 20 percent of the purchase price. You will also need to demonstrate two years of employment in the same job or field of work, income two to three times higher than your anticipated mortgage payment, and a 580+ credit score.

How much of a loan can we qualify for?
The loan amount you may qualify for depends on your income, debt and monthly expenses. Typically, borrowers will qualify for a monthly payment up to about 26 percent of your gross monthly income. Finding out how much that translates to in home-buying dollars requires factoring in purchase price and loan length, interest, taxes, insurance and any homeowner association fees.

How long does it take to process my loan or close?
Closing can take place in as few as 10-14 days, but a 30-day close is more typical.

What information do I need to have ready to apply?
To complete a loan application you will need your two most recent pay stubs, two most recent bank, investment and retirement statements, plus the last two year’s W2s and tax returns. Any employment gaps will need a letter of explanation, as will any late payments, judgments or bankruptcy.

Can I get a co-signer?
Obtaining a co-signer for a mortgage is an option, but it adds complexity to the process and can cause approval delays. The co-signer’s credit score and financial situation will be factored into the loan decision.

Does my spouse need to be on the loan?
There are several factors that may determine whether both husband and wife must be on the loan, but generally a spouse does not need to be on the loan. Keep in mind the spouse’s income will probably not be considered toward qualification, but neither will the spouse’s credit history. FHA and VA loans in community property states may require both spouses, although conventional loans may not. Neither Florida nor Georgia is a community property state, so the best plan is to seek guidance from a qualified real estate attorney before applying for a mortgage."
JanetNaisbitt Realty (JanetNaisbittRealty): Real Estate Agent in Manila, UT JanetNaisbitt Realty (JanetNaisbittRealty) said over 11 years ago,
"Our team has over 50 years of combined experience in the Cedar City real estate market."
Eric Hempler, Minnesota Realtor (The Minnesota Real Estate Team): Real Estate Agent in Lakeville, MN Eric Hempler, Minnesota Realtor (The Minnesota Real Estate Team) said over 11 years ago,
"Our house transaction took a good deal of time due to it being a HUD home and having some complications with our mortgage and underwriting offices, however, I really appreciated the prompt communications I received from Eric Hempler my realtor. Whenever I had a question, he had an answer back to me within an hour or two and that was comforting. He stuck through the ‘tough stuff’ of our situation and I appreciated it.

- Amy in Waconia, Minnesota

Thank you for mentioning that you can write up an offer letter with an amount to beat other offers by. This is very helpful and had not been mentioned to me by my previous Realtor even once over the course of nearly 4 months!

- Mark in Shakopee, Minnesota

Thank you for your diligent work here. I like working with you because you do make the effort and you are imaginative in meeting needs. I’ve found it unique really among Realtors I’ve worked with.

- Jerry in Delano, Minnesota

I like working with you Eric, because you look out for our best interests.

- Wanda in California"
Keary Coffin, Your Foreclosure Expert (Keller Williams Realty Cenla Partners): Real Estate Agent in Gardner, LA Keary Coffin, Your Foreclosure Expert (Keller Williams Realty Cenla Partners) said over 11 years ago,
"Activerain has helped me stay on top of the search engines. It is a great tool and a great way to get your name out there. It also is very helpful with finding out how to handle situations. The posts that are made are from some very intelligent people and it helps to hear what is going on in other places. Also you can advertise your listings, It Is Great!!!!"
RICK MOLNER, Team Leader - Keller Williams - Limerick/Audubon (Keller Williams): Real Estate Broker/Owner in Limerick, PA RICK MOLNER, Team Leader - Keller Williams - Limerick/Audubon (Keller Williams) said over 11 years ago,
"Rick Molner – Real Estate Broker/Owner of Weichert Realtors - Molner Group. He is Licensed in PA & SC.

Rick a 3rd Generation Real Estate Broker has had a successful career in the real estate, mortgage & building fields. Along with managing & selling for 2 large mortgage banking firms, he (a Mortgage Banker & Broker) owned & operated Apple Glen Mortgage Corp. from 1993-2002, Concord Homes from 1981- present, & Pocono Mountain Music Center from 1994-2006.

Now the Owner/ Broker of Weichert Realtors - Molner Group in Peckville Pa. Rick found a place to combine all his knowledge in the hopes of helping people gain the pleasure of Home Ownership or the selling of his clients home. He is a proven sales leader throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Pike, Monroe & Susquehanna Counties. With a long list of satisfied clients that rely on his expertise in conventional purchases as well as short sales & foreclosures. Whether working with experienced investors or the first time home buyer, he can help with buying & selling from start to finish & looks forward to the opportunity of helping you. Rick who is a proven sales leader has had years where he has been consistently leading in his office with sales exceeding over 6 million dollars in a given year. With extensive knowledge of the residential & commercial building industry, combined with his negotiation & management skills which aide his clients with comfort during their real estate transaction.

Rick grew up in Rutherford New Jersey, a suburb of New York City, Palm Beach Florida and Northern New Jersey before moving to Northeast Pennsylvania permanently in 1993. He comes from a large family and loves to work with people. He enjoys playing in his band LIFE REIN when time allows. He attends Church with his family and is currently one of the Worship Leaders there. Rick & his wife, Robin, have 5 daughters, 2 sons & 5 grandchildren. They enjoy Traveling, Cruises, & meeting people. His favorite sport is hockey. He is a fan & has many NHL hockey friends. He enjoys the Pittsburgh Penguins & several other teams where they sneak in some games when time & travel allows.

Now that you know a little about Rick, he looks forward to you giving him the opportunity of helping you with your next transaction. Call 570-499-1639 or 570-383-3800"
Kessler Construction (KesslerConstruction): Real Estate Agent in Micanopy, FL Kessler Construction (KesslerConstruction) said over 11 years ago,
"Kessler Construction LLC is a design/build construction management firm. We will handle all the details of your project."
MichaelDHarper Law (Michael D Harper Law): Real Estate Agent in Centerlisle, NY MichaelDHarper Law (Michael D Harper Law) said over 11 years ago,
"Michael D. Harper, P.C. & Associates has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of victims of medical malpractice and personal injury in Georgia."
June Rodgers, Realtor - Northern Virginia (Samson Properties - June Rodgers Real Estate Group): Real Estate Agent in Vienna, VA June Rodgers, Realtor - Northern Virginia (Samson Properties - June Rodgers Real Estate Group) said over 11 years ago,
"I have been chosen as the only local expert agent at realestate.com for the towns of Vienna, Oakton, and Centreville VA. I am proud to serve my community!"
Animal Clinic Morris Plains (Animal Clinic of Morris Plains, LLC.): Real Estate Agent in Morris Plains, NJ Animal Clinic Morris Plains (Animal Clinic of Morris Plains, LLC.) said over 11 years ago,
"We are a full service veterinary facility providing high quality care to companion animals, birds, and exotics, all in a friendly, pleasant environment.

http://animalclinicofmorrisplains.com"
Everard Korthals, Mountain Realty (---Preferred Lifestyle Advisors---): Services for Real Estate Pros in Lancaster, PA Everard Korthals, Mountain Realty (---Preferred Lifestyle Advisors---) said over 11 years ago,
"In really just 1 1/2 months Active Rain has allowed numerous international clients to find us. One of these clients just recently contacted us to advertise their 4 million dollar property in Argentina. The power of Active Rain is tremendous and the google juice garnered by it is second to none. When we first came to the network we were busy learning and contributing, but once we started using our blog to dominate our local competition, everything came full circle and it was easy to see how the little investments we had made on Localism during the Land Rush all made sense and were well worth it. The outside Active Rain blogs are another incredible way to spread yourself over the internet and be picked up by Google via the unique tag structure which coupled with your localism content will greatly increase your chances to get noticed. If comparing this to lead generation systems, the conversion of leads/clients is unmatched. Our blog has helped us generate numerous sales and various new clients and our recommendation for realtors to join this network couldn't praise the efforts of the helpful staff enough. You will never find a more caring group of individuals at the helm who work endlessly to give their users the very best the network can offer.

Want to learn more about Active Rain? Below is a short summary of this great network.

Active Rain, the largest social real estate network, provides professionals the ability to "empower" themselves through social networking, blogging and by marketing themselves to consumers and real estate professionals alike. Designed to help "People help People", Active Rain allows realtors specifically to learn more about internet and real estate strategies to help build their consumer's buying experience in this highly competitive industry. Technology based, Active Rain allows one to stay in touch with ever changing market conditions. If you are a real estate agent, broker, investor, lender, mortage professional, real estate trainer, financial advisor, internet marketing specialist, appraiser, virtual tour owner ... there's something for you on this network.

Relationship based, real estate professionals and consumers alike can benefit from buyer/seller information, industry news, market trends and investing secrets allowing you to gain invaluable experience over your competition. Video is a key component for real estate 2.0 professionals to help build your portfolio. One can do this on Active Rain using Mixpo, an additional feature which allows realtors a simple solution to create, edit and produce top quality video for use on their blogs, profiles and websites. In today's atmosphere, competition is stiff. While Active Rain helps real estate professionals grow state-wide, Localism helps their case within specific communities. This sister site also allows members to showcase their listings directly to consumers in specific target markets. More info

New to this network? Please take the time to read our Help/FAQ page which will assist you to become a viable member of this great network. Should you have any questions for our staff, Contact Brad Andersohn, Rich Jacobsen or Bob Stewart and they will reply promptly."
SafeGuard Warranty (SafeGuard Warranty): Services for Real Estate Pros in Grove City, OH SafeGuard Warranty (SafeGuard Warranty) said over 11 years ago,
"We are hoping to have a success story to tell to everyone once we get established on ActiveRain as one of the only Home warranty companies to do so. We like getting to know our agents and love sharing ideas with them! Contact us if you have any questions whether we service your state or not and we will do our best to help you out!"
Pat & Wayne Harriman, Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate (Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499): Real Estate Broker/Owner in Wallingford, CT Pat & Wayne Harriman, Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate (Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499) said over 11 years ago,
"Out of all the places on the InterTubes anyone associated with the real estate industry could choose to engage, Active Rain surely stands alone. Where else can you learn, teach, share, laugh, rant, rave, converse, debate, discuss, or otherwise hobnob about real estate with so many other people of the same persuasion, all in one place? Not to mention the friends you make, the business you get, the Google juice you squeeze, and the events you can attend? Dancing in the Rain is a kick in the old career for any agent smart enough to jump in!"