ActiveRain Success Stories

Scott Palermo, Remember, in Real Estate, "Knowledge is Power!" (Harcourts Desert Homes): Real Estate Broker/Owner in Palm Springs, CA Scott Palermo, Remember, in Real Estate, "Knowledge is Power!" (Harcourts Desert Homes) said almost 12 years ago,
"I am looking forward to receiving my first ActiveRain real estate referral. My team sells real estate in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta."
clayton rabens (Carranza): Mortgage and Lending in Discovery Island, BC clayton rabens (Carranza) said almost 12 years ago,
"I like reading."
Jo-Anne Smith: Industry Observer in Oakville, ON Jo-Anne Smith said almost 12 years ago,
"I joined Active Rain almost 3 years ago now. At first I kind of read posts and didn't visit all that often. Then one day I decided to write a post. It came fairly easy and I really enjoyed it. One of the first people to comment on my post was Carole Provenzale, a Feng Shui consultant from Long Island. Over the past 2 1/2 years she and I have become the best of friends, a forever friend, as I call them. I also met Tom Braatz this way and he is another of my 'forever friends'. These two friendships have been the best part of my Active Rain success story. They are there with me through thick and thin and I know they always will be, as I will be for them.

The next part of Active Rain that has rewarded me greatly is the huge accumulation of knowledge. I've learned more here than I have in all of my real estate courses that I have ever taken in 14 years of doing real estate. It's just amazing what you can find here.

The third part of Active Rain that has been of great value to me is the referrals and new clients that have found me through my Active Rain blog. Once I write a post, it is free advertising for me forever more. My posts have generated many new clients for me from all part of the world and many of them have become very good friends.

I could go on and on, however I think you now get the picture....you just can't put a value on Active Rain."
Lorraine Bennett, YOUR Tampa Bay Realtor (Future Home Realty): Real Estate Agent in Saint Petersburg, FL Lorraine Bennett, YOUR Tampa Bay Realtor (Future Home Realty) said almost 12 years ago,
"Through my affiliation with ActiveRain I have had the privilege of receiving many referrals, I have met many other real estate professionals committed to providing the exceptional customer service I have made part of my business practice, and I have benefited from the many articles, suggestions, marketing and web tools provided by ActiveRain and the other professionals associated with this wonderful website."
Mary Menard, Your Home. My Commitment. (Keller Williams Metropolitan): Real Estate Agent in Mountain Lakes, NJ Mary Menard, Your Home. My Commitment. (Keller Williams Metropolitan) said almost 12 years ago,
"I am new to AcitveRain and hope to have a story to post soon!"
Emily Medvec, Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM (eXp Realty LLC): Real Estate Broker/Owner in Santa Fe, NM Emily Medvec, Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM (eXp Realty LLC) said almost 12 years ago,
"Looking back on my 3rd ActiveRain year now, my success comes from knowing everyday there is a community of amazing professionals who are dedicated to this profession and to helping each other thrive in this new landscape of real estate. Words cannot express how being part of this community has changed my knowledge, attitude, spirit, dedication and commitment to making a difference. The new friends I have made by commenting and blogging are priceless. My day now begins and ends with a log on to Active Rain."
Joseph D. Federico, Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico (Realty ONE Group-MVP): Real Estate Agent in Naples, FL Joseph D. Federico, Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico (Realty ONE Group-MVP) said almost 12 years ago,
"Active Rain has helped me increase my google page rank and get first page placement. Active Rain has provided me with a vehicle to interact with the public in a more intimate and personal way. I recommend Active Rain to everyone in the industry who wishes added exposure. I am greatful for all the wonderful things that have been shared by other Active Rainers."
Melissa Marro, Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging (Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team): Real Estate Agent in Orange Park, FL Melissa Marro, Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging (Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team) said almost 12 years ago,
"Active Rain has had a huge impact on my Real Estate business. Because of the SEO rich opportunities and techniques offered in Active Rain University, I've been able to rank my custom home builder customer's neighborhoods at the top of the search engine for their target keywords. This increases their exposure to consumers and in turn helps me be a more effective listing agent."
Barbara Adams, An experienced agent, means a great experience!: Real Estate Agent in Boise, ID Barbara Adams, An experienced agent, means a great experience! said almost 12 years ago,
"It’s very important for a client to always be connected to their agent because questions and ideas come up at any time, and new listings, time constraints, issues, problems and good news, so when you work with me, you will have the straight line connection to me anytime you need to talk or inquire about something I will be available for you!"
Antonio Rances (Century Properties Group, Inc.): Real Estate Sales Representative in International, IT Antonio Rances (Century Properties Group, Inc.) said almost 12 years ago,
"Thank you very much to ActiveRain I like this community !

Yours sincerely,

ANTONIO S.C. RANCES
International marketing Consultant
Century Group Asia
27th/F Pacific Star Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave.
cor. Makati Ave., Makati City 1200 Philippines
Direct Line: (632) 793-5586
Fax Number: (632)-7935586
Globe: +63-927-430-5892
Azure: http://www.centurypropertiesphils.com/azure.html"
Jon Eliason (EXIT Realty  Advantage Pagosa, Pagosa Springs, Colorado): Real Estate Agent in Pagosa Springs, CO Jon Eliason (EXIT Realty Advantage Pagosa, Pagosa Springs, Colorado) said almost 12 years ago,
"On April 22nd of last year, I was contacted by a homeowner through ActiveRain. He had a home , here in Pagosa, that he wanted to list with me.

At the time, it was listed with another Agent and didn't seem to be getting the attention it deserved. When I took over the listing, not only did I walk the house, I walked the 5 acres it was on. Taking in the views, the sounds, the aroma of the various pines and the feeling of what this property vibrated. It's energy was obvious.

I spoke with one of the previous Agents who had this listed and asked him about feedback he received from the showings he did have. I was not surprised by the commonality of the "Driveway" remarks. This home sits about 100 feet higher than its next door neighbor. The driveway is approximately 900 feet long and has 2 switchbacks, leading up to the home. A switchback is a sharp corner of a road or trail that allows for the traversing of a hill or mountain. (Imagine a trail that horsedrawn carriages had to use back in the days of the early settlers).

Knowing that this was THE main issue, I had to figure out how to get this home sold.

As the seasons changed, so too, did the description of the home, as published in the MLS. First the Hunters, then the Skiers, then Spring Breakers... etc... Then I realized, I had to create a perception and thought to myself, "This place is majestic and in a sense, entering this property before looking up and seeing the home, way up there, gives me the feeling of entering a Kingdom". I proceeded to change the description one last time.

A man in the Aviation Field found this home online. He was living in the Las Vegas, NV area. When they arrived in Pagosa Springs, they found this home and even though there was up to 2 feet of snow on this driveway, he walked up and looked inside. He also took in the views from the deck off of the front door. He had to show his wife. They had asked to have the driveway plowed so they could get the wife up there to see it. She couldn't wait. A day after they asked, she had to see it and trudged through the snow to get a glimpse.

We closed yesterday.

The previous owner, who had contacted me through A/R, was elated. The reason he had hired me, was apparently because he found me, by way of ActiveRain.

My first A/R related deal is now in the books. Thank you ActiveRain."
Maggie Dokic | Indialantic, Selling the beach in Florida's space coast (Magdalena Dokic): Real Estate Broker/Owner in Indialantic, FL Maggie Dokic | Indialantic, Selling the beach in Florida's space coast (Magdalena Dokic) said almost 12 years ago,
"I can't consolidate my Active Rain successes to just one. There have been so many. I rank high on google for my chosen terms due in large part to my blogging on Active Rain. The search engines love Active Rain! I can search a random term just 20 minutes after I've posted on it, and find my post on page one of google. It's amazing.

If I had to just relate one of the many successes I can attribute to Active Rain, it would be this one. I had an attorney call me up and tell me that she wanted me to list her house for sale. She didn't want to interview me. She just wanted me to list the home. She had read my blog on Active Rain and told me she was very impressed and knew that she wanted me to list it. Now that's effective!"
Hannah Williams,  Expertise  NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376 (HomeStarr Realty): Real Estate Agent in Philadelphia, PA Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376 (HomeStarr Realty) said almost 12 years ago,
"ActiveRain has helped me to learn more about SEO and Google.To network with real estate people all over the country.To learn, and share ideas.How to blog and blog more effectively..Most of all to laugh when I am feeling down;because we all have one of those DAYS..Thank you ActiveRain for being here!"
Eric greenwood (Register Trademark in Canada): Real Estate Agent in Duncan, AZ Eric greenwood (Register Trademark in Canada) said almost 12 years ago,
"Secure your business identity today by applying online for trademark registrations. In Canada a registered Trademark is the only legal protection to safeguard against infringement of your business name, logo and website domain name.
Register Trademark in Canada"
Alberto Baalbaki, CDPE, SFR, AHWD, SRES Certified (Charles Rutenberg Realty / Trifin Team): Real Estate Agent in Land O Lakes, FL Alberto Baalbaki, CDPE, SFR, AHWD, SRES Certified (Charles Rutenberg Realty / Trifin Team) said almost 12 years ago,
"I helped a couple unload a investment property that they were losing money on in rent and such. The bank forgave the difference that they owed on property and it only took 72 days to make that happen. A Shortsale success story!!! - Allow me to help write your story afterwards too!"
Starla Green (Starla Green): Real Estate Agent in Houston, TX Starla Green (Starla Green) said almost 12 years ago,
"Starla Green"
Mike Mitchell, REALTOR (R) (Kee Realty): Real Estate Agent in Saint Clair Shores, MI Mike Mitchell, REALTOR (R) (Kee Realty) said almost 12 years ago,
"Since joining Active Rain almost 2 years ago I have learned so much about SEO and web marketing that it is unbelievable. In addition, the networking opportunitys and information about the real estate industry in general is invaluable. I have excellent page ranking on multiple search engines now, where 2 years ago I don't even know where I ranked it was so far back. This has been beneficial for my listing clients as I get maximum exposure for their listings, and I've also received so many leads from buyers and sellers that have helped improve my business. I just recently closed a lease deal, I was the listing agent and the reason I received that listing was from my seller finding me on google - Active Rain!"
Rose King, Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area (David Tracy Real Estate): Real Estate Agent in Friendswood, TX Rose King, Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area (David Tracy Real Estate) said almost 12 years ago,
"Another referral from a fellow Active Rain member just came in! It's a great feeling to answer the phone and hear the caller say, "It's _____ from Active Rain and I have a referral for you!" The referrals from other members, and the boost to your online presence are wonderful benefits of this blogging community. But, the friendships you form here are the biggest rewards of the Active Rain experience! I LOVE ACTIVE RAIN!"
Steve Warrene, Pittsburgh Realtor North and East Pgh. (Your Town Realty): Real Estate Agent in Lower Burrell, PA Steve Warrene, Pittsburgh Realtor North and East Pgh. (Your Town Realty) said almost 12 years ago,
"I want to thank ActiveRain and all the members. Ever since we joined a few years ago my business has been going up more and more every year. This year (2011) has been busy and the greatest. Everyday before I start my day then at the end of the day I'm on ActiveRain. We have learned alot, seen (read) alot of good and bad situations. We hope everyone keeps coming. ActiveRain has/is my best online sourse and we are very thankful."
Gabriela Agostinelli, Gabriela A-Team (RE/MAX100): Real Estate Agent in Leonardtown, MD Gabriela Agostinelli, Gabriela A-Team (RE/MAX100) said almost 12 years ago,
"I spent a lot of money advertising my listing in the newspaper and the most of the time I had ZERO phone calls! I started blogging in AR three months ago and I already received some emails asking more info about my listings. By the way, one of the ‘internet customers’ scheduled an appointment to see one of my listings and he made an offer! We are ratified today! On line is the way to go!"