For several months we've been talking about how we are going to construct a consumer facing side to ActiveRain.  There has been a lot of speculation on what form this would take, so we decided to give our members a sneak peak into the ongoing development efforts at Localism.com  We are still several months away from an "official" launch of the site.

In the same way in which we launched ActiveRain about half a year ago, it will start off very rough but we will continuously improve on it and add functionality.  Localism is essentially a sister site of ActiveRain, displaying a much more consumer friendly view of the content written by our members.  As development efforts continue we will add several very powerful tools for creating connections and interactions between our members and the consumer.  Ultimately it will be able to compete for consumer eyeballs with other portals such as Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow but in a much more agent centric fashion.

What is localism?

Or more appriately, what will localism be? Localism will be the premier spot on the Internet for accessing local real estate information provided by those who understand local markets the best, real estate professionals.

  • Find meaningful real estate information, not just demographics and listings.
  • Get perspective on local real estate markets from the experts.
  • Interact 1 on 1 with agents to get your questions answered (without providing personal info).

How will Localism make money?

We might as well address this straight out of the gate because this question has already come up.  Localism will NOT be a lead aggregation site, it is built to send free traffic back to contributing members.  We will provide some premium sponsorship opportunities and run some additional advertising that doesn't create conflicts with our members interests. 

I'm sure you will see Localism morph on a weekly basis over the next several months in the same way ActiveRain has.  We welcome any feedback you have, as it will help us in developing the direction for this site. 

If you live in the Western Washington area, Kirkland ActiveRain Get Together December 19, 2006 at the Wild Rover

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72 Comments on What is Localism?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

DEC
23
2006
158,647 Points 1 Featured Post
A consumer facing side to ActiveRain - this will be interesting to follow.
3:40pm • #53
DEC
30
2006
283,710 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I think restructuring the point system would be necessary.  In the short time I've been here, it appears that you get more points by talking about things that will get an agent's attention than writing about local real estate, which would be of value to consumers.
11:17am • #54
623,003 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great idea to go reach out to the consumers now.
11:55am • #55
490,739 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
So Matt,  Just how does one submit posts to localism?
6:38pm • #56
101,888 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

This is going to be a fantastic site for clients and consumers.  I personally will like it and use it.

Ken
11:34pm • #57
JAN
02
2007
283,710 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I like the concept of Localism.com, but not the name.  Reminds me of WA's MetroNatural...someone got it but it's a bit too "insider". 

Is there time to change the name before it goes public?  How would someone find it if they are looking at real estate?
11:34am • #58

Cheryl: To get posts on localism make them on ActiveRain and make sure to mark them as "For Consumers".  If they are "About a Region", "News and Events", "Market Reports", "Listings", they will feed into that area of localism automatically.  Write now General real estate articles are being hand choosen by use, but that will change to being automated shortly.

Ardell: We can change the name before launch if a better one came up and we could get the domain but it's fairly unlikely.  It will be promoted to consumers through a combination of SEO (will take a few months to start showing) and buzz were going to create at a national level leading up to the official launch.  We've got some big plans around that, but those are top secret at this point.
2:56pm • #59
JAN
04
2007
 Great idea, but my county is NOT listed.  Please add Tuolumne County to California.  Thanks
7:02pm • #60
JAN
10
2007
4 Featured Posts
I just started learning about this and I can't wait to see the end product!!!  It's exciting to be able to see this take off.  Congratulations!!!
4:46am • #61
JAN
11
2007
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

 ActiveRain has so many advantages as an Internet tool for real estate. It:

  1. facilitates sharing and gives us all a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other.
  2. facilitates our keeping up with national trends in real estate and areas in which our affiliates work.
  3. allows lots of venting.
  4. allows us to advertise 
  5. provides a great network to give and receive referrals
  6. supports writing about the areas we serve and about which we are most knowledgeable. 

Point no. 6 is important because we want to promote and educate about the areas we live and work in-the area we are selling and of greatest interest to the particular client I am interested in reaching. Ultimately, as we hear over and over again, real estate is local. The person who is interested in buying in my city does not care much about prices on the other coast except in a very general way. S/he needs local mortgage rates, is subject to local laws, and of course is most interested in the type of homes of the particular locality.

If I am seeking to send a referral to another region, I would like to know that the person receiving the referral knows about the the area s/he serves. 

If this is what a localism site is about, I think we all will be well served. it sill strengthen and deepe the development of local knowledge and serve the our community well.

 

 
2:06am • #62
JAN
12
2007
 just a great idea
3:43pm • #63
JAN
13
2007
297,148 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I have just created a new "group" on ActiveRain for anyone who is interested in Localism.  I have called the group Localism Beta for lack of a better term.

I have seen a number of different blog posts on the topic recently, including yours and yet there is no central place to locate articles that are written on such an important topic.

I would like to invite you to join the group and the edit your post and include the group as part of the distribution for others to easily find.  I would then encourage you to look and see what others have posted on the topic and share your thoughts and insights.  I am sure most of what we will see is support for the site as well as a tip or technique to best leverage it's potential to our benefit.

I am also certain that there will be some lively debate over the direction that Localism should go.  Now, I do not know what the ultimate business plan is and how much tweaking management will do on behalf of the users who have their own ideas on the site and how much is already set in stone - but certainly a debate is good for all.

So please, post your article and join us.

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi. Hemet CA REALTOR®
www.JohnOcchi.Com

PS - All who read this post are more than welcome to join as well.  Please get involved and learn how to make this your most valuable internet resource.
8:33pm • #64
JAN
17
2007
 Nothing but good things
9:14am • #65
OCT
28
2007
808,806 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
So what's the update on Localism now?  Has it met expectations?  What's next?
5:41am • #66
MAY
22
2008

A good site for Buyers and Sellers to find good agents and info.
2:17am • #67
JUN
14
2008
136,401 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

Wow--I have been mean to find out what is "Localism"  glad I found this post
2:21am • #68
JUN
17
2008
1 Featured Post

I still don't understand localism.  Do you post there. or post here and it gets moved over, or automatically shows up there?
2:47pm • #69
520,778 Points 229 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jeremiah (Ace Mortgage):  Think of a two-sided coin. Heads is ActiveRain, the Network for Real Estate Professionals. Localism is Tails. Much of what we publish on ActiveRain is automatically transferred over to Localism. It depends on how you categorize it. Anything for "Consumers" finds its way over to Localism. However, Localism is currently undergoing a complete facelift, and things are going to be changing soon. You should see an annoncement coming shortly.
2:52pm • #70
JUN
18
2008
550,593 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gracious Rich...

We are sitting on pins and needles waiting on the release.

See...Now there are advantages to NEVER unchecking the teeny tiny boxes :)

Pointless comment? You bet :)

TLW...ROAR!
6:01pm • #71
JUL
31
2008

Localism is a great Idea, and I hope to get all my desired properties for Chicago.
4:30pm • #72

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