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I just referred someone to an Activerain Agent I don't know!

One of my Real Estate Agents contacts in California through a linkedin group said she had a client with a high end property here in Texas to sell and needed a referral to an Agent to list the property.

One of the Agents I referred her to I know from my old life in the technology business. They don't have an active rain profile.

The other does have an active rain profile, posts regularly, and has over 200,000 points. Tells me that she is probably tech savvy, personable, and capable. Don't know for sure as all I've ever done is read her blog and troll her AR profile.

Maybe I'm an anamoly, but it's certainly interesting the exposure an Agent can get with a little social media presense.

Anyone else think I might be slightly crazy for making a referral to an Agent solely based on a review of their Active Rain profile?

Posted by Matthew Kelly on 03/25/2009 03:51 PM

Comments (51)

texas, real estate, referrals

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51 Comments on I just referred someone to an Activerain Agent I don't know!

MAR

Not at all crazy - I think it's an excellent way to make a referral. Before Active Rain my best resource for making a referral was the CRS directory. I would usually find agents in the directory and then try to find out more about them from their web presence. Alternatively I would do the same with an agent with my company in another area. AR blogs give you far more info about an agent than you're likely to get anywhere else. I'm not sure how else you would make a referral since you're not going to have personal knowledge of agents in every community.

Liz

That's an interesting observation based on your experience. Seems that maybe social media is leveling the playing field and presenting more opportunites?

Hi Matthew, I don't know about leveling the playing field necessarily. In terms of referrals I see it as a way to make connections but also as a way to promote yourself. It's a platform for making the case for yourself and the services you provide - more fully than you are able to in a directory or company profile page.

I have done the same. I believe AR does give you a bit of an insight into the person behind the real estate license. Of course I go to my Associate list first.

I have done the same and have built relationships during the process! I always come to AR to refer anyone to.

Hi Matthew -- I agree with you. I made an outgoing referral to another fellow AR agent after perusing several profiles.

Shucks. I rely on ActiveRain profiles for referrals. Of course, I read their blog too, but the prifile is the first start.

I would definitly consider referring in the way you did. I would also look at StarPower as well. Hopefully, the agent would be both a StarPower and ActiveRain person.

Matthew - I've read through what they had to say on their profile and blog, googled them, then spoke to them directly. From there I make a decision. Of course, in many instances, I know exactly who I would refer someone to just because I've had conversations with them via ActiveRain or other contact points.

A great many people are looking for an agent who is tech savy. They need to be able to get them pictures of properties they may be interested in and most want someone who checks emails several times a day.

What better way than to use someone who is tech savy. I am going to do the same thing at the first opportunity!

Matthew - I absolutely don't think you are crazy. At this point if I have a client who's moving out of the area - my first move is to find an AR member who can help them out. I'm usually looking for someone who shows me, through their blogging, how successful they are, they're experiences in real estate and their personality. You can actually learn a lot about a person through their blog alone. If I was concerned I would email them and interview them ahead of time before handing out the referral.

Matthew - Active Rain will give you more accurate information on an agent than many other sources.

I think it is time to rewrite my AR profile. It says more about me than about what I can do for you as an agent. That project has been on the back burner and I think this snowy day provides me the perfect opportunity to revamp my attributes.

I would surely give the AR agent the opportunity to assist - I would probably contact that agent via phone and share some dialogue, to be sure they were on the same page as I.

Hmmmmmm.....I am new on AR, but hope to get to the point that I, too, can share referrals with fellow Active Rainers!

Hope life in YOUR real estate world is going well!

Edith Schreiber - Dallas, Texas

If some one is trolling my blog, they know me, eventually.

I just did that myself, 2 agents, one in GA and one in FL for my father. So, not so strange to me, and it was a very good lesson for me too!

Not strange at all in my opinion! I just referred a client out the same exact way!

As an AR member, I am the recipient of a referral, by another agent, based soley on my profile, So, to answer your question...I say, adamently, no, you are not crazy! Keep those referrals coming!

Kathy B

Not in the least. I have done it myself and had folks do it to me. I think it says alot about someone that they are here. I also think anyone on AR is good in my book!

Thanks for all of the comments....I'm suprised know one has asked me who I sent it to. Think it would be interesting to know who the agents profile I was trolling that got the referrral? I'll tally up the first ten response and go from there.

Matthew - Crazy? Not at all. I think that's what many people on AR are hoping for. The fact that agents are referring thru AR is encouraging.

I'm interested in who you referred it out to! I agree the profile is the place to start to see what someone is all about.

Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate

PS> Please keep me in mind for any buyers looking in seacoast NH, ME .....thanks,

Matthew, I agree that AR has the TOP agents and professionals; I would trust an active AR member MUCH more than a name from the phone book!

Join my new AR group and post your blog at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Regina P. Brown

Matthew.... I didn't read all of the comments, but I read most of them. I guess I will be the Grinch in this case. Yes, I think you are slightly crazy just based on a profile and points. Now, ready the blogs and getting to know them is something that should be a must. But points? Sorry, but in my opinion, that doesn't mean diddly. I know some that just post blog after blog that is hardly average, yet they get tons of points just for blogging. I know a realtor here on AR that did refer a buyer out of state, based on the fact that she had some of the most points in a certain state. Not only did she get negative feedback, but she lost the listing also.

Overall, I would rather someone get to know me for 3 to 6 months on here first... follow me, read me, and pick up the phone and get to know me... and not just based on a profile and points. And one last thing, I have read many blogs that have misleading information in them, but the author sounds like they know what they are doing. I don't think you are totally crazy, but I am also still a tad cautious and would hope others would also.... and not just because it's AR and the person has a profile with tons of points. Just my .02.

Jeff Belonger

By the time you go read an agent's profile and browse their bloglist it's easy to ascertain their level of involvement in the local market.

I've done this too and I felt very comfortable doing it!

I don't think I would give a referral only based on points, but I have certainly referred to someone on AR, based on reading the person's profile, reading many blog entries, and picking up the phone and getting to know the person. Points alone would not do it for me.

The other thing that made me uneasy was the fact you said it's someone you 'don't know'. I may not have met the person I refer business to, but I feel I know the person, because we have talked, many, many times, and after a while, you do get to know someone. If I felt I did not know them, I could not possibly refer business.

I would definitely use the agents in the AR network for referrals.

I think it's better than thumbing through the phone book of Realtors, at least you know something about them from their profile. I agree with Jeff that I would make the initial contact verbally to see if they would be a good match and make sure I was getting my referal fee!

I would have to agree that I think the points aspect of it is irrelevant but I do believe you can get a good feeling for the person behind the blog -- provided of course their "stuff" is not plagiarized :-). Before referring though I would check their website and then have a conversation with them, just to make sure we were on the same page. The person you refer to is ultimately a reflection on you.

So now you can tell us who it is. :-)

200,000 points, she must be doing something right (or at least she likes to talk)!

I just blogged about this 30 minutes ago. I just got a referral on Zolve. Without a doubt social networking is the referral system. Is just isn't CRS only anymore.

Active Rain shows that an agent is on the "cutting edge" ....

(need an agent in the Houston / The Woodlands area?)

Points to me does mean something. Someone with 400,000 points dont just appear one day. And I'm sure, I would have read this person's blog. I think to me, prominence is key. Then the profile and points go hand in hand.

Pippa - you never know when I'll run into someone up north that might be a good match for you. I do however know quite a few Agents in your area as I worked up there for many years.

Geri - If a client would have called me directly, I would have definitly done a preliminary interview but the person asking for the referral was another Real Estate Agent.

Jeff - My assesment was based on more than points. I've "trolled" her blog, profile, and website and for quite some time. It was all very subjective. I certainly appreciate your caution.

Good comments form everyone else. Thanks!

Here's the link to the Agent I suggested:

http://activerain.com/lakelivingston

We learn more about each other on this blog than we ever used to from a CRS book. Good going!

Most of the folks you find here on Active rain sound pretty stable. A little research about the agent and a long conversation about the clients needs would be a prudent move. After, if you felt the agent could deliver on your clients needs and his/her duties, your gut will tell the tale.

Matthew: I have placed 2 referrals so far using Active Rain.. I have 2 more I'm making final reviews to place this week. I love the idea of Agents who see the referral actually kinda compete to get the referral. Great way to get to know them a little better than just a cold referral call.

I don't think it's crazy...I gave out a referral myself using someone's profile on AR...that became a Twitter follower and Facebook friend. After reviewing her profile and website, I talked to her in person to confirm my gut feeling that she was the right referral...which she was. I didn't really look at the points...just the quality behind the profile.

MAR

If you've been following an agent's blog and feel they are sincere, knowledgeable, personable and would be a good fit for your client -- that's good enough reason to refer to that agent after you also spoke with them live.

During the 12 years I was actively working with buyers/sellers and had the need to refer a client I would use RealTalk/Internet Crusade to find an agent and than call them to make a final judgement as to if I felt they would be a good match for my clients personality and tech wise.

From my own personal experience I think the meshing of personalities becomes important in creating a great working together force to achieve the clients goal -- either purchase or sell!! Maybe I'm controversial because my common sense told me on 2 occassions to refer my own clients to another agent in order to best assist them because our individual personalities were at loggerheads!

Re who you referred to in Texas: I wouldn't care WHO you referred to, but, WHY you choose that person over all others -- Texas is a huge state!

Sue of Robin and Sue

I'm another grinch.

Point total means something, but not everything in my view. I know of AR bloggers who have enormous point totals and haven't closed a deal in a year.

Click through and email them...ask them how many total sales they've closed and a little bit about them. Due diligence is required. Point totals might be a good start, but a bad ending place.

I just successfully placed a referral with an agent whose point total was relatively low but had a good profile, great web page, and was sharp on contact. I went past their blog. I think you owe that to the client.

Matthew - Seems reasonable to me ! I think you can get a lot of info and feel comfortable with the referral process. The only intangible is that someone may be an Active Rain all-star but their production might be very low which could hurt the client in terms of experience but I think you would be able to pick that up either in reading the profile or having a discussion. Also, would depend on the complexity of the deal. I have also referred buyers and sellers to people on Active Rain as well. It is a great way to network and a great referral source !

I think it is a great idea. Its why we put our resume out there for the world to see.

Nope, not crazy at all.

That is why a lot of us are here.

For what it is worth, if they have been here for an extended period of time, it is probable that they are going to care how well they handle that lead from you. They are obviously here for the long run and will care about their reputation.

Matthew,

I would have done the same. I actually referred someone to the Dallas area a while back. I found them on AR. I didn't know them at all. Sold! Thanks for the referral fee!!!

I would do the same. I was new on here and received a referral. It did not work out but it was not his fault. I have also received 3 sellers by them finding me on here, contacting me. I am getting to know others by reading their blogs and even more people by reading their comments. Most if not all are here because they really do care about others and their career they are in. I really like to learn and there is NO Other place I can go and get answers & experience this quick and its all FREE!

Sure, why not? Their profile, at least if they have done it well, says a lot, as does their blogging. As a CRS I am a bit biased so I look for that as well.

Jeff

Anyone else think I might be slightly crazy for making a referral to an Agent solely based on a review of their Active Rain profile?

Hi Matthew,

You might want to dig a little deeper, if you have the time. However, ActiveRain is definitely a good place to start doing your research for referrals.

Not crazy at all! In today's market, sellers need someone that understands and feels comfortable with internet marketing.

Honestly, partially yes. Relationships are huge not only with your sphere of buyers and sellers, but with agents. i.e. Know pretty well who you are referring to as your reputation is on the line. You can gain a pretty good feel of an agent on AR.....but not by just reading their profile. My profile looks great, but it could be total lies. Just be careful as protecting your name is huge......

I responded previously, and have had the opportunity to read the additional responses since.

I do still stand by my "take" that to work solely from an AR association is really not sufficent, even with a very good website, etc.

A phone call with the person you are considering referring the business to is definitely a "gotta do".

What I might also want to see is how quickly they respond to my message (assuming I have to leave a message, of course!).

I'm 99.999999% sure they would "likely" respond more promptly if they thought a referral was waiting in the wings, but I know of more than one seasoned agent who took several days to return a call from me regarding a property question from a ready, willing & able buyer for their listed property.

Prompt response is critical, to my way of thinking. There are too many other properties out there for the buyer's to choose from.

P.S. Great thought-provoking post, by the way!

Thanks!

Edith Schreiber - Dallas Texas

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