To understand what a person reads is to understand, in part, the soul of that same person.  We've heard "garbage in - garbage out."  And never before in human history has there been such an opportunity for garbage.  Culling through blogs is like panning for gold.  Wasted water.  Wasted rock.  Wasted time.  Until...

FINDING THE NUGGETS

For the purposes of this contest I knew immediately the five to six candidates that I would watch to feature here.  Knowing those candidates comes from sleepless nights alone with only the lap top screen light illuminating my way. 

Real estate is not what I do.  It is who I am.  And for the very first time in my career the Internet has allowed me to visit with others that share my hopes and dreams.  My frustrations and fears.  Through their writings they reach out and connect with me.  Both professionally and personally.  Almost like a mistress of the night I await my time that I can be alone with these blogs to soak up their energy and their caring.  To share with them.  To give back in whatever way I am able.

Author: Jeff Brown
Blog: BawldGuy Talking
Topics: Real Estate Investing
Recommend Reading: Retirement Income - Real Estate Investment - 1031 Exchanges - Purposeful Planning

When I found Jeff's blog in February of 2007 it was like being validated in front of your father for the first time.  You have to understand, my niche in real estate is an odd one.  Many REALTORS work with investors, but not generally to the exclusion of "regular" folks. 

My business plan is so far off the model for most real estate agents that I felt stranded on a desert island.  Or at best cutting a new trail as others mocked me and shook their heads. 

At last, redemption.  And that is no small thing.  A true testament to the power of social networking outside of your own sphere of influence.  Without sounding too under his spell, let me say that Jeff Brown is who I aspire to be, professionally. 

To my understanding Jeff has been in real estate sales and counseling for 35 years.  Stop for a moment.  I said thirty five years.  The ups he's seen as well as the lows leaves a lasting impression on a person.  And the highlighted post will take you on a journey through the peaks and valleys of not only his life, but that of his mentors. 

To know when things are good it's necessary to prepare for rougher times in wisdom.  To do what needs to be done, whatever that may be, in the tough times is character.  Please, for your sake and personal inspiration, take the time to go on that journey with Jeff as he offers you a glimpse into his life as well as the life of a man greater than he.

Author: Seth Godin
Blog: Seth Godin's Blog
Topics: Marketing, Inspiration
Recommended Reading: The Opposite

Real estate is an all encompassing profession.  The great agents learnover time to make room for their personal lives.  The great agents are entrepreneurial and consumed with their success and the success of their clients.

Great agents have the ability to set themselves apart from the masses.  People recognize their drive, ambition and forthrightness.  But first people have to know they exist.

Author of Purple Cow: Transform Your Business By Being Remarkable Seth Godin has built quite a readership over at his blog.  A readership that dwarfs that of most other bloggers.  He provokes thought and contemplation.  He endlessly invokes in you the will to be better.  And helps to point you towards the tools to do so.

The Opposite is a post that will make you wonder.  Make you think.  Make you work.  If you are constantly looking for the edge that separates you from your competition you will want to take a few minutes from each day for this daily dose of will.  I recommend you find Your Opposite to start.

Author: Geno Petro
Blog: Chicago's Home Weblog
Topics: All things Chicago real estate related
Recommended Reading: Ol' St. Joe Is Good To Go 

In the year 1440 Johannes Gutenberg released upon Europe the single most important invention to date and for centuries to come.  The printing press literally changed the fortunes and freedom of all mankind.

Not since that time has there been such a revolution of ideas in printed form.  History will judge the intellectual use of the Internet and it's uses such as blogging.  And with the amount of garbage out there I can only hope that those historians can come across the writings of Geno Petro.

Geno seems to make a very good living as a Chicago real estate agent.  And his blog reflects this.  But more than that Geno has often mentioned his love of writing, or the want of sharing the written word.  He draws you in with written images that make you believe the situation is real.  All the while never forgetting that weaving the tale only works if the reader comes away having enjoyed, understood and digested.

An examination of a man's culture, youth and yes, faith, are featured in one of the best written blog posts I have ever read.  Somehow it even manages to intertwine a real estate theme.  I even hesitate calling it a blog post.  A short thesis would be more to the point.  With care and humor and forethought this story of St. Joseph and selling houses is en-lighting and, at one point, made me stop an laugh out loud.  Really.  Not just lol.  But a real live out loud laugh.  And that's good for the soul.