I think you guys just struck oil!

This is great news.  I wonder if Realtor.org is jealous and that is why they made that statement.

That's a real good thing Matt. I too don't like their comment but let's wait and see what they say 12 months from now:)

More great publicity for activerain, congratulation it's well deserved. :-)

Pete Willner
Who Will? Pete Will!

Informative article. Sounds like some good press. As you get further into the blogging of local content you will start attracting more clients much like a website. I will let you know when that happens. I try to do a local content niche blog per week. Eric

Matt, any publicity is good publicity and I agree with Bryant; wait a year and as this site evolves it will be the epi-center for real estate professionals in this country.

I think it will inprove also, all things take time to evolve. active rain will be a site that will only grow.

"The Lovely Wife Here"

Yo' Bubba...Of course you do not like their comment...You're a Broker! We all need to consider comment or no comment we are in fact making an impact. We have done it. We are out there. We may have a long journey ahead of us. But long journeys are the stuff of life. One day at a time things will get better. Before long AR will have stomped out mortgage fraud, helped an elderly couple file bankruptcy, taught new Realtors how to get it done and last but not least...This site has the potential to change the way the public sees us. That is something that is long overdue in our industry. AR can change the notion that all "Realtors s**k"...And if things go well Bubba will find out that...Yes...A consumer can find him on Active Rain.  

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Smiling about NAR...ROAR!

I also think the public traffic will improve but I love the feedback and response from within the group...it’s all about building relationships and that is very important to me.

"If you build it, they will come!"  Well, you built it, and now we get to see them come.  Now that AR is up there with the big dogs, as you put it, the site needs to be optimized for the consumer.  I know you will do an excellent job on this.  Keep up the good work.  Thanks for everything.

Jason

Famous last statements:

"People only care about the box"  - IBM as they signed a licensing agreement for the Microsoft Operating system to be their software platform

"Noone will buy staocls from a discounter; they want advice"- Charles Merrill

I think this is great for AR and it recognized that AR is moving in the right direction and hopefully the consumer will acknowledge that as well!

Me thinks realtor.org used old "data" for that consumer bit. What they don't know that we all know if AR is in constant flux, improving a little bit at a time. 

If I was a consumer, this is THE place I'd come to find an agent. Where else can you browse through several thousand agents, and get a unique insight into their knowledge and personality?

It's just a matter of time. 

I think that the negative is somewhat short-sighted, the communtiy hasn't been around long enough to properly establish itself as a 'go to' portal. I think the ActiveRain community has been making good progress from both the consumer and professional sides, but like all forward-thinking projects it will face a few bumps.

I don't see their comment as negative. As of today I agree with it. There are only 5000 agents on ActiveRain - that's less than 1/2 of one percent nationally. Real estate is local. Why would someone who wants to buy or sell a home in Las Vegas spend their time reading blogs from all over the nation?

The latest enhancements show that ActiveRain is headed in the right direction, but we are just starting with consumer content. I'm optimistic that we'll make significant progress over the next year.

"Consumers can access the site, but they are more likely to turn elsewhere for assistance in finding a broker to work with".

Turn elsewhere like the Yellow Pages? 

Elsewhere like the Sunday Newspaper?

Elsewhere like Google?

I am amazed at how quickly Active Rain gets on Google.  I have to admit my other blog is already on Google for an article I posted there on the 3rd.... blogging helps get your name out. Active Rain is teaching a lot of real estate people how to blog.

On Google already:

Columbus Ohio college town
31 Oct 2006 by Maureen McCabe (HER Real Living)  The highest priced college town is Palo Alto, California with a 2006 average sale price of $1652042. Columbus Ohio, affordable for the 15th largest US city... and there's a great football team in town. I am not affiliated with Coldwell ...Columbus Ohio - http://activerain.com/blogs/columbusoh - References

The Short North - Columbus Ohio
2 Nov 2006 by Maureen McCabe (HER Real Living)  A video about The Short North in Columbus Ohio, calls the neighborhood "downtown." While the neighborhood is urban, The Short North is not downtown, ... 10, 2006 - A Scary Columbus Neighborhood The Short North is primarily commercial ...Columbus Ohio - http://activerain.com/blogs/columbusoh - References

Worthington Ohio
2 Nov 2006 by Maureen McCabe (HER Real Living)  A video about Worthington Ohio from Real Living starts at the Doll Museum at the Old ... The Real Living Story talks a lot about Old Worthington which is a community ... Most of Worthington is very walkable. There are great shops and ...Columbus Ohio - http://activerain.com/blogs/columbusoh

Not bad on the 4th.

This is great news, we just started here a few days ago and we feel this site is awesome. We can't wait to see what happens in the future.

I've always felt that any news is good news. Once the NAR article is read by more people I think more people will be curious and check AR out and then time will tell.

Thanks Jay 

How would they know if ActiveRain impacts consumers?  Are there any statistics advising on this?  I thinks it's still way too early in the game to see what the evolution is for FaceBook, MySpace and ActiveRain.  I believe it will lead into a positive direction.  I think ActiveRain has a better chance of succeeding than most.  Informing the client is what it's all about. I have clients every day tell me that they chose me as an agent because my website gives free advice.  I think my character shows through in my posts letting the client know that I'm not just about the bucks.

It's great to be recognized - and only 6 months old. Just wait until the consumer section grows and let's look at these stats a year from now.

One step at a time - and you appear to be walking faster than most!  Great job - and I echo Sharon's comments about the future!

Great that Active Rain was mentioned twice...opinions change just as the internet changes.

Its a starting point at least.

I'm working on it.
I'm working on it.

I'm working on it.
I'm working on it.

I'm working on it. I promise... 

Active Rain will RULE THE WORLD!!

Ok, I can go a little overboard... but this site will be #1 in MANY arenas within the next year. There are too many intelligent and informative people affiliated with AR for great things not to happen.

Active Rain is great and it's just a matter of time they'll change the tune!

Matt: I think it is time for another recruiting contest. Make us ALL work to bring more participants, and reward us with...points!!! 

Active Rain is good!

Congratulations to you guys again for all your hard work and effort in making us a part of this network.  This is a free service that we are getting which has already generated leads for some.  We need to keep in mind that Rome was not built in a day.  Like with any fine wine, it taste better with age.  BRAVO to Activerain and its behind the scene team!!!!

Great job guys! Just keep doing what you are doing and Quantum Leaps will happen!

That's great news and excellent exposure. Keep the snow ball effect rolling with the site.