ActiveRain Success Stories

Jamie Parker Gwinnett Realtor, Snellville Homes (Keller Williams): Real Estate Sales Representative in Snellville, GA Jamie Parker Gwinnett Realtor, Snellville Homes (Keller Williams) said over 2 years ago,
"I recently got a listing from another Active Rain member. From that listing, I got another one in the same neighborhood that is now under contract as well as working with one of the sellers to buy their next home, which is also under contract. Active Rain Rocks!"
Lori Bonicelli (Bonicelli Design): Services in Marietta, GA Lori Bonicelli (Bonicelli Design) said over 2 years ago,
"First, all my listings and my blog show up either 1st or 2nd or Google Searches for months! But the most important this for me is that I am constantly learning. I read every single post! Not being an agent but working for agents it is a necessity to be able to track what other agents are doing and to keep up with new technology. Activerain does that for me and I look forward to each and every post every morning when I check my email."
Jean O'Keeffe (Windermere Valley Real Estate): Agent in Spokane Valley, WA Jean O'Keeffe (Windermere Valley Real Estate) said over 2 years ago,
"Raised as a child on the desert in southeastern Oregon, life was simple. The TV was black and white, and all the family, plus whoever else was around, sat at the dinner table each evening for supper. At the core of the simplicity were the values and home where we gathered. I like knowing that my work helps to provide a venue where generations gather for the quiet and simple moments of life. Life was good then, and it still is today."
Sheila  Hinson (SOUTHERN PROPERTIES REALTY): Agent in Kershaw, SC Sheila Hinson (SOUTHERN PROPERTIES REALTY) said over 2 years ago,
"Thank you, ACTIVERAIN, for giving me an opportunity to express myself on your web site!"
Gary De Pury (Bay Vista Realty): Broker Owner in Land O Lakes, FL Gary De Pury (Bay Vista Realty) said over 2 years ago,
"Blogging has created a monster within me. Not only am I able to provide insight, but also learn from my peers every time I log on...but more importantly, and to my family, I am able to use time that would otherwise be spent in front of a television to actively participate in my business. This time well spent recently caught the attention of another member, a Bank manager in Texas who began sending properties to me to sell. To date, this relationship has provided multiple opportunities and a few sales that have truly been mutually beneficial. Thank-you Active Rainers for the Rain Dance that we all do!"
Deborah Harshman, ASPMaster Home Stager Home Staging in MD, DC and VA (Staged Home Decor): Home Stager in Potomac, MD Deborah Harshman, ASPMaster Home Stager Home Staging in MD, DC and VA (Staged Home Decor) said over 2 years ago,
"Two RainCamps, NYC and DC have given me a drive to step up my social networking efforts. Many AR University classes have given me great education. My ranking on search engines is rising and with that my business is flourishing. I have made huge strides this year in my Home Staging projects. UP 500%! More and more agents and owners are calling and emailing Staged Home Decor. I am truely excited and grateful for the gang at ActiveRain and all of the encouragement and inspiration! I know that my Active Rain presence had to be the main reason for this success! I can only attribute it to ActiveRain"
R. Michael Brown (Brown Ltd. Digital Marketing & Public Relations): Services in West Palm Beach, FL R. Michael Brown (Brown Ltd. Digital Marketing & Public Relations) said over 2 years ago,
"My ActiveRain Success Story Just Got Featured on the 88.1 WAY-FM Business Network Here's the Post: Blog more! It's good for business! I recently started participating on a network called ActiveRain. It's for real estate pros and has over 175,000 members. I thought I could help others understand more about marketing and PR since I have a background in that field from IBM, DiVosta Homes, and Pulte Homes. I wrote a blog post: "How Will Technology Change Real Estate Sales & Marketing in the Future?" Within 48 hours it took off on the network, with over 2,400 clickthrus and an astonishing 96% clickthru rate. The post was featured by ActiveRain on their homepage and was the #1 story in their e-blast. Since then, I've received over 500 emails from technology providers that want my input/business, realtors, and potential clients. People have called me from Utah, Chicago, Indiana, and California to talk about consulting projects. Funny, none from Florida. My message to you is, blogging generates a few things: - It helps others - "Google Juice" Your blogs, when written with networks in mind, with links, images, keywords, etc, your ranking in Google will rise. - Traffic: To your website, to your phone, to you! - Business!"
Jay Lloyd Allpro Home Inspection (Cape Coral Florida): Inspector in Cape Coral, FL Jay Lloyd Allpro Home Inspection (Cape Coral Florida) said over 2 years ago,
"Since joining AR a little over a year ago, I've had many success stories with AR. I can't even count the new business I've gotten from AR friends. This can be quantified in dollars. The sharing of information and advice cannot be quantified so easily, but is my greatest success story. At the end of the day (or the beginning), I find I learn a new marketing strategy, website tweak, inspection tip, or just a good laugh!! Thanks!"
Anne Roberts (Stay West Homes Inc.): Real Estate Sales Representative in Victorville, CA Anne Roberts (Stay West Homes Inc.) said over 2 years ago,
"THANK YOU to Active Rain for helping my website get to the top of the search engine lists! I love what I do!"
Carol & Carl Rondinelli, Broker Associate & Broker (CKR Properties, LLC): Agent in Olathe, KS Carol & Carl Rondinelli, Broker Associate & Broker (CKR Properties, LLC) said over 2 years ago,
"I have received a listing in the $300,000 range from a Seller that enjoyed reading my blogs in Active Rain. I have also received a listing referral in the $700,000 range from another Active Rain Member."
Chasity Lousteau (American Capital Corp / ACC Direct): Mortgage in West Hills, CA Chasity Lousteau (American Capital Corp / ACC Direct) said over 2 years ago,
"I have been on ActiveRain for a relatively short period of time and can already tell what a difference the network makes! The online community is a great resource to have at your fingertips."
David L. Sartirana, CHMS (Realty Executives Northwest): Agent in Winsted, CT David L. Sartirana, CHMS (Realty Executives Northwest) said over 2 years ago,
"I have posted several blog entries from which I have recieved many repies to. I have recieved several referrals from my profile and have found that many potential clients have found me here just by searching my name and by doing so this profile comes up first on the page."
PATRICIA AULSON, REALTOR Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes (PRUDENTIAL VERANI REALTY- Portsmouth NH Real Estate ): Agent in Portsmouth, NH PATRICIA AULSON, REALTOR Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes (PRUDENTIAL VERANI REALTY- Portsmouth NH Real Estate ) said over 2 years ago,
"This morning the phone rang and there was a gentleman on the other end. Good morning he said, I'm planning on moving to seacoast NH and was hoping you could help me." With that I immediately asked him where and how he found me and his reply was, on Active Rain. I heard about Active Rain through friends of mine as so I decided to check it out. Portsmouth NH area is the town/towns in and around Portsmouth and that is how I found you. YIPPIE!! This must be my lucky day for sure. The gentleman and his wife are meeting with me in two weeks to go over what they want and need in a home and hope to purchase a place by June. Will wonders ever cease!! Stay tuned for the next exciting episode for Portsmouth NH Real Estate..........This is my "success story finally after being on AR" for 2 1/1 years." Patience is a virtue!"
Mario Costanz (The Problem Solver): Builder in Bronx, NY Mario Costanz (The Problem Solver) said over 2 years ago,
"I've met and done business with many clients, colleagues and service providers through my networking at ActiveRain."
Tom Meyer, Broker (Restaino & Associates): Agent in Middleton, WI Tom Meyer, Broker (Restaino & Associates) said over 2 years ago,
"I wrote a blog on Range Pricing and received messages from Realtors saying it was the best explanation of how to do range pricing and how to explain range pricing. Some asked if they could use the explanation and tools I provided. Grateful to be able to share with people to improve their service and real estate experience."
Richard Strahm -- Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate (RE/MAX Realty Group - Harleysville, PA): Agent in Lansdale, PA Richard Strahm -- Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate (RE/MAX Realty Group - Harleysville, PA) said over 2 years ago,
"My ActiveRain success story is special to me because it was so much more than just a real estate deal. A few weeks ago I got a call from a woman who had seen my contact information in my hyper-localism post about the Morgandale Condominium complex in Lansdale, Pa. She spoke accented, but perfect English, and proceeded to tell me about a refugee family from Iraq that had just arrived in the United States five days prior. They were temporarily staying with a cousin who had come to the United Stated three years ago. The refugee family consisted of mom, dad, their 20 year old daughter, 15 year old son and 10 year old son. They needed immediate rental housing – preferably in the same Morgandale development as their cousin, who would be helping them acclimate to their strange, new land. My challenge was to find a home for a good sized family who didn’t speak any English, who had limited funds, looking in a popular neighborhood with limited vacancies. Oh, and they needed to move immediately! Well, I’m up for a challenge! Let me tell you, this family has helped me understand the Iraq war like nothing else could. Except for different clothes and language, they couldn’t be a more typical suburban family. Educated, friendly – we were able to communicate with the help of a cousin who translated. To have a human face put on the horrors of war is amazing. This family lost their home, their livelihoods and any semblance of normalcy that we take for granted. This was a very challenging transaction for me. First off, I encountered a few agents, or perhaps the landlords behind them, who I could just tell didn’t want to rent to an Iraqi family. Fair housing laws be damned! There are always other ways to turn people down . . . I had to deal with social workers and charities. Had to help the family understand utilities. And most probably did ten times the work I’ve ever done on a rental. But the rewards I received yesterday when the family got the keys to their new home were not monetary. They were inspirational. I wish this family great success as they settle into their new home and country. Their strength is amazing – their good will and eager spirits are moving. ActiveRain does help you build your business. It works for me. And this time, I got something very special along with the deal."
Lori La Haye 303-513-2307 Luxury Homes, First Time Home Buyers (Cherry Creek Properties, LLC): Agent in Highlands Ranch, CO Lori La Haye 303-513-2307 Luxury Homes, First Time Home Buyers (Cherry Creek Properties, LLC) said over 2 years ago,
"My Active Rain Success Story is just beginning to unfold. I am new to the site and new to blogging. My goal is to build relationships using this site and to learn the ropes from the other professionals here at Active Rain. My business is built on lasting relationships so the idea of joining another community where I have the opportunity to build and grow even more relationships makes perfect sense. Thank you to those who have already welcomed me and thank you in advance to all of those who will be offering advice in the future......"
Dee Copley (Remax Ideal Brokers, Inc.): Agent in Medford, OR Dee Copley (Remax Ideal Brokers, Inc.) said over 2 years ago,
"In recent dark days of the Second Great Depression we have seen prices tumble down. I have helped more first time buyers this year than ever before! One couple really fell in love with a particular home and their offer was not accepted as the short sale fell apart. Well it was auctioned, came back around as a bank owned property and we were able to submit a successful offer!!!They are so happy AND they saved several thousand dollars!"
Dave Walk (Phoenix AZ Real Estate For Sale): Real Estate Sales Representative in Phoenix, AZ Dave Walk (Phoenix AZ Real Estate For Sale) said over 2 years ago,
"Phoenix, AZ real estate overview. Phoenix home values, real estate market trends, schools, community info, neighborhoods, and homes for sale."