Sally and David,

I would send it to the best person.  Just because, they are on Active Rain, does not prequalify them, nor does the brokerage.  We really interview people to see how much they know, review their web sites, and their reviews.  I want to be sure of the way my friends will be treated.  A

Referrals should be based strictly on your client's specific needs, and how well you can match them to a qualified agent that can best represent those needs. Your choice should not be based on what brokerage the agent is affiliated with, nor how they may rank on some blogging site.

For example... you have a client who wants to purchase an equine property. You go on to the ActiveRain leader board (like so many here suggest) to choose an agent. It's a good bet that the #1 agent on the leader board sells very few homes per year, and has no knowledge whatsoever of equine properties.

Do you think it would be fair to your client to refer them to an agent that spends the majority of their time blogging, or has no knowledge of the specific type of property your client is looking for?

Active Rain normally. I know how they operate based on their writing.

AR will always be my first choice. My brokerage is on down the line after my CRS and internet search.

There are many ActiveRain members to whom I would be happy to send a referral. If I did not have a relationship with an agent in the area, I would search for a nearby RE/MAX office.

I'm somewhat confident in referring within my brokerage but will always go with the most qualified person and the best fit first!

It depends if I know someone in the market.  

If not -- I'll go to AR, then my brokerage referral system.  

Whoever I consider the most qualified to serve THAT particular client.  If the client was looking for a fruit orchard for example and no-one in the brokerage was qualified, then I would refer them to someone who specialized in that area... regardless of their affiliation.  

Since Metro Brokers is only in CO, would definitely choose AR first.  But I also look at CRS.

whom ever i thought would do a better job. if they are active on the rain, that says a lot, if they havent posted in a year. no. if they dont post, it tells me they are lazy or are a quitter :) . and i dont even like quitters in alcoholics  lol

I'd look for an AR member first, but if the people in that area were not active enough for me, I'd refer to a RE/MAX agent....

This is a great question Sally & David. I think if you really know about the person I would go with AR. Chances are that you may know from the blogs that this Realtor is enthusiastic and will take care of your client where if you do it within your company it is a crap shoot.

I send referrals nationwide. Since I've become active on AR it has been part of my screening process when I'm looking for good agents.

I am more concerned with agent reviews and experience than which brokerage they work for.

It would depend on the location and how well I knew the agent at the other end. I like to select 3 or 4 agents from my company's network and AR and interview them first to see who's the best fit for my client. At the end of the day, the client fit is what matters.

Since I work for a locally owned firm, I use ActiveRain as sort of a Relo network.

I have always looked for an AR member first.  I want to  find the right personality for a client --- and reading the posts gives me a good indication of the person.

Well I don't work for a chain so the answer is easy for me. I would seek an AR member for that referral. I have sent out several referrals this year, and they all went to AR members. 

Since we are not a National Company, anything outside the area would go to someone from Active Rain, if there is someone from that area.

ActiveRain Member, hands down...

Whiever it the best qualified. That may come from CRS, from knowing people through NAR meetings, or here.

I send to the best qualified person.  I look at ActiveRain, the brokerage, other brokerages within the franchisor's brand, and brokerages outside the franchisor's brand to find that person.

Sally & David,
Since we are just a two person independent shop I always look for an AR person first.

You can try me. I got two coming up. Learn about horse boarding on the fly....Santa Cruz County.

If I was with a national brokerage I would use them.  Same philosophy.

The best choice. It comes down to quality service not necessarily brand loyalty at the customer's expense.

Good morning Sally. I use AR as a resource for referrals all the time, but it might make a difference if I was part of a franchise. It would also matter if it would be someone that I knew, then it wouldn't matter.

Glad I don't have the problem.

Who will win if You'd use the same broker? Since the answer is obvious, and you personally get no benefits, it is better to find the best you can find for your client regardless who is a broker. 

Before I refer I interview the person I refer to. The one who best fits my clients wants and needs wins...

Sally and David - I work in a smaller brokerage (not national), and I would very much send a referral to an AR member instead of searching for strangers online.

Sally K. & David L. Hanson I'd say, it depends on the area.

Friends in Real Estate business are first choice.

Next, I surely would love to refer to an ActiveRain member first, who I am close to.

However, I do have other affiliations - Buffini & Company White Hat Society are usually the first choice if I know the agent.

Followed by someone at KW. 

Depends on why I am sending the referral in my area...and what the property or buyer is

Our current brokerage is not national, however we started our business in a big box company. At first we were referring within the brokerage because those were the folks we knew best. Now the folks we know best are other AR members.

If in my area ....then to an agent in my firm ....most of them are AR members so I guess I would do both?

I would send it to whom I felt was the best agent...that may not be someone in one's own brokerage.

I'd most likely use the Rain or people I know in other areas.  I'm a small brokerage though.

This all depends on too many variables to discuss here. However, Ron and Alexandra Seigel 's answer rings perhaps the best truth on this subject.

Sally K. & David L. Hanson I would go with a person I knew and could trust to do a good job.

I've used AR several times and have been very pleased. 

I research agents on active rain first .

 Good Sunday morning Sally and David. I have sent out referrals to active rain members mainly because I know them.

Definitely to someone in my company, but if I was not the owner it may be different, especially if I think the rainer is more competent.