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An Open Letter to ........ ???

By Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Real Estate Agent with Liberty Homes RS-#62825

June 08, 2009 05:17 PM

I am getting overwhelmed by the amount of membership here and kind of sad that many ‘friends' went away. I have been oh so loyal to ActiveRain (like many of you) and just wonder where it's going ....for someone like me.

I think you know by now that I am a Realtor Associate® with Century 21 Liberty Homes, have a part time job in our Century 21 Liberty Homes office, and also help other agents with files.

I assist agents with their listings (usually the agents with other jobs), referrals for buyers from other agents, I help new agents get a jump start with their marketing and I'm available for their questions when our Brokers are not.

I lead a very simple but productive life. I like the ‘variety' I have in Real Estate and my whole (business part) life revolves around Real Estate......but it's not my whole life and I certainly don't have millions to brag about and not so sure I would if I did.

I'm not even sure what I'd do with all that money besides hold contests for the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul group and buy extra Hawaiian packages for the winners besides the points they receive.

Maybe I just grew up in a different time where life was simple and we made due with what we had. .....Maybe.

I miss the old AR.....and yes, I surely know that 'change' is a part of life. What I really am questioning is, "What part do I play in this vast universe of a Real Estate Network called ActiveRain?" I have seen many fall to the wayside in search for a brighter place to live blog.

I have found a few other places but nothing like ActiveRain.

I suppose success comes with a price.

Re-Blog

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Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Sally, a bit nostalgic are you? Love the graphic. People come and go in life, for whatever reason they are here when you need them and poof when you don't. Then along comes some new person, in your face thank you very much. Just maybe that was who you needed for that moment in time.

I understand, but sometimes when you old AR geezers start saying how you miss the old times I ..... well... I feel like I am back in high school and not on the cheerleader squad!!!! Or like... I am sitting at the wrong table in the cafeteria!!!

Great post, great plate Sally.

Jun 08, 2009 08:31 PM

Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Sally - I definately miss the OLD AR. I understand that there will always be change but it just isn't what it used to be. I have not been here for about 2 months - just got overwhelmed I think. However, making an effort to come back - I have seen so many changes in the last few days that my head is spinning.

Jun 08, 2009 10:42 PM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Sally, you already know that I feel the same way oftentimes. Yet, I've never left, but each time I post, feel like I'm coming back to AR. I do miss some of the close-knit family feel that was here when we had 1/3 or 1/4 as many members.

Jun 08, 2009 10:43 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

It is sad and I miss many of the folks I connected with a long time ago.

I have just tried to reach out and make new friends, I tried a few months ago to delete folks from my subscribers list to shorten up my dash board, but just couldn't.

Jun 09, 2009 12:10 AM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Sally...

I think that the market has changed it more than anything. A lot of members are desperate and depressed.

I plan to stay the course as long as I can. Ahem, there seems to be someone conspicuously absent on your plate! ;)

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Jun 09, 2009 12:14 AM

Chip Jefferson

Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

Im sorry you had a bad day. I wasn't around in the old days. My husband was as a builder. I think change is inevitable.

Jun 09, 2009 02:08 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Sally. Not sure what the old AR was, but you sound a little bit blue...

Your work schedule seems awesome. I know many agents that have a hard time staying productive. You are using your organizational skills to stay active.

Congrats and keep smiling,

Ken

Jun 09, 2009 03:55 AM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Karen: I think you are saying it best....it's the "It just doesn't seem anywhere near as personal." It's that part I am concerned about because AR was made ...because of the people...the personal touch.

Michael: I know that is true although I keep hoping...this platform will not just be a .... social site. There is a difference between just doing Facebook or Twitter....and REALLY communicating. Like I said...

I suppose success comes with a price.

Andrea: I value all the new friends I've made as well.....it's not all about the old friends that left AR... I find them...eventually...out there. It's what I love about AR that kept me and others here. There is value and the most important for me was making those connections.

Jun 09, 2009 04:25 AM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Leesa: We understand what we miss....and yes, overwhelmed by what is here now. It really is starting to feel like the other places.

Hey Brian: Got my box of books yesterday at the office...and kept bragging about the only guy....my friend..in the book. :) I value the friendships I've made Brian...you are one of them :)

Missy: Yeah....I keep looking at mine and just can't either. I make new ones too although I don't really think it's that... it's the drastic unpersonal change it seems to be now. I think the only personal touch I have is when I bug the guys for help by email LOL.

Jun 09, 2009 04:30 AM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Richard: I need to update that thing badly don't I? So sorry!

Laura: Oh, it's just something I needed to ponder on...

Hey Ken....I'd go nuts if I didn't....including working online!

Jun 09, 2009 04:32 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Sally--I am glad I found AR and this group. There are times when I want to post everything I write to PAWS.

One of my favorite sayings is"Take what you like and leave the rest."

Hang in there.

Jun 09, 2009 05:05 AM

JL Boney, III

Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC Real Estate

I still have fun on AR, but I have made the statement lately that it's not as fun for me as it used to be. I have lost touch with a lot of the people that first sparked my interest in this place.

Jun 09, 2009 05:30 AM

Phillip Cross

TBD - In transition... - Seal Beach, CA

ePRO Realtor - Relocation Spec

Sally -

It has been a while _ i have been gone but I am back or at least will make the attempt at being here for a few hours a week at least!

I Tweet & Facebook - so I should be able to "Rain"??

Anyway, I do enjoy your blog and will return to at least read that!

Jun 09, 2009 08:05 AM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Hi mary! I'm glad you did too :)

JL: Yeah...I guess we have to go searching :)

Phillip! wow...talk about long time no see :) I'll look for you now :)

Jun 09, 2009 09:16 AM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Wow, my pciture is huge on that disk. Love the composition. I recall seeing something like this once before. Is this the same one or the new and improved version? I am not going anywhere, " It's you and me against the world", as Bogart would say.

Working my b--- off but I will say, I have never worked so hard for so little results. Remember that client of mine with the low appraisal and she had to cancel her purchase? She got another Buyer and this time the buyer bailed and once again, 2 more transactions down the tube. A few other didn't get past the writing stage, a couple did work,a couple new Buyers this week and the week I return and then I start all over again. This market is tough and I am worn out.

Jun 09, 2009 02:48 PM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Sally - I realized recently that most of my closest AR friends aren't even around anymore, or at least not around here very often. It made me a little sad.

Jun 09, 2009 06:26 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Yea...how come William's picture is so big LOL :)

Jun 09, 2009 09:43 PM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

William: No kidderonies! After talking with you yesterday I realized...it's the market, it's everyone working hard to get a contract TO closing and of course so many people...so little bond anymore (except us who are constantly on the phone lol)

Jason: Yeah, but you're here .... and I hope to still continue seeing you..I liked the pool story (I read it on Facebook)

Kathy: Whatever Kathy. (remember that? thought you'd get a kick out of that) Well, after talking to two good friends yesterday, they felt obliged to comment lol.

Jun 10, 2009 04:05 AM

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

Hey! I see me! =D lol. OK, so I'm easily entertained. And I see you've chosen the faces that are still here for your plate. I can certainly think of a few, right off the top of my head that I miss =(

Jun 10, 2009 04:48 PM

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779

REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC

CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Dear Sally~

Like you I sense the change...and yet...when I come to visit you at PAWS, I smile...

And, it seems, it still is a "good-thing" as someone once said...

and with the kindness and energy you bring to this place

nonlocal

yet full of heart

it will continue to be so ...

Jun 12, 2009 09:16 PM