Special offer

The Journey of a thousand miles...

By
Industry Observer with ARFCO Media

The Journey of a thousand miles...

Tuesday afternoon I drove over to Yakima, Washington. From Seattle it’s a beautiful drive over the Cascade Mountains via Snoqualmie pass, hang a right in Ellensburg and head south down Interstate 82. From my place it’s about 160 miles.

I love eastern Washington. As Tuesday approached I thought about my increasing odds to see sunshine. I’m headed over to First American Title to teach a clock hour class I wrote, Real Estate in the Social Age. I love these trips and enjoy meeting people in the industry face to face.

Every area is different. Each marketplace has its own unique issues. Location, primary economic drivers, diversity of industry, and demographics all play their part in the local real estate market.

I like getting to know the real estate brokers in these pocket markets I visit. I’m curious, do they embrace or reject social media? The crux of the conversation to me revolves around the fact that, regardless if you’re running towards it or away from it, social media has had, is having, and will continue to impact your life.


On my way to Yakima, southbound on Interstate 82, I stopped at Manastash Ridge to look over the high prairie.

Personally I agree with generation Y; “Why do we need to call it Social Media?” As they say, “It just is.” But that’s another post I’m working on. Anyway, I had a wonderful time with some very intelligent women in real estate. We had a lot of fun and a lively 'connecting the dots' kind of conversation. Three hours went by so fast, it seemed like 15 minutes.

I was a little slow on the uptake though and missed an opportunity. I didn't ask the question in class, it came to me later in the car driving out of town. “Where were the guys?”

Posted by

René Fabre

"Where there's conversation, there's opportunity."

Please Note - The views expressed herein reflect only the individual’s personal views and are not the views of the author’s employer.

The Blackberry Chronicles, a blog by Rene Fabre and his travels around the Greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. Connect w/ Rene Fabre on Google+. Rene Fabre on Twitter. Rene Fabre writes reviews on Yelp. Rene Fabre on Linkedin.com The Audiorium YouTube Channel by Rene Fabre. Facebook.com/renefabre Rene Fabre loves digital photography and here are his shares on Flickr. Rene Fabre is a musician and composer and shares some of his orginal music and recordings on Soundcloud. Rene Fabre shares his interests on Pinterest.
Mary Elizabeth Allen
Lake Monticello, VA

Oh, how I love the stark contrast between Western and Eastern Washington. You can be driving through cool mist and towering pines, then up and down over the pass - and sunshine and wide open spaces greet you! It must have been a nice break from what a lot of my Seattle friends are calling "Autumn in May" weatherwise this year. I keep telling them to come partake in a lil' Virginia heat and humidity to remind them what they're "missing." 

May 24, 2012 11:46 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I would be weary of anything that tries to substitute for life...compliment it sure, but life is not unlimited Google/internet access

May 24, 2012 11:50 PM
Anonymous
Sara Christensen
Rene thank you, we all love the new phone book and so glad you're in it!
May 25, 2012 12:22 AM
#33
Wayne Jackson
Lakeshore Realty 208-714-4109 - Hayden, ID
North Idaho Realtor, Serving Coeur dnullAlene and Hayden Lake

Thanks Rene, Beautiful picture. I live in North Idaho and will be making the 5 hour trip to  Seattle this summer. Even though I live in a very beautiful area it's always nice to see some other scenery. I also enjoy seeing NorthWest Montana.

May 25, 2012 12:25 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

I'm off to teach another class in Renton this morning. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I'll respond later today. Thanks again...

May 25, 2012 01:07 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

H Rene, great post and so true. And sometimes, I google something for a quick look and a whole lot of time later, I'm still there and it has been a journey.

May 25, 2012 01:56 AM
Julie Agnew
First American Title - Everett, WA

Rene,  What a beautiful picture!  We always enjoy having you up in Snohomish County, and I'm not surprised at all that you didn't notice you were the only guy at the class.  :-)

May 25, 2012 02:49 AM
Anonymous
Kristine Jameson, First American Title

Hey Rene',

Congrats on the feature!  Yes, it's a beautiful drive.  I appreciate the simplicity of being able to snap a shot with the iphone (sounds like you were stopped) and poof its done.  My camera misses me!  See ya next month in Snohomish County for your Real Estate in the Social Age!

KJ

May 25, 2012 03:06 AM
#38
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I'm glad you enjoyed the trip...I feel the same way when I head to Bend, Oregon. It's about 3 hours from here and I see sun everytime I get on the other side of the Cascade mountains.

Glad you had an enjoyable time with the class too. A win/win for all.

Wonder where the guys were? ;)

May 25, 2012 03:11 AM
Stacia Whatley
Hawkins-Poe Inc. - Gig Harbor, WA
StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®

I am glad you enjoyed your time in Yakima! I used to go over there and camp growing up. It was usually guaranteed to be no rain. I haven't been there in a while. I should plan a weekend camping trip with the fam.

May 25, 2012 03:42 AM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Rene: That is pretty country. I was just over that way!

 

 

May 25, 2012 04:33 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Phil: :O) As I alway's preached to my kids when they were young, "It's a lot more fun when you're having fun." I'd love to see you at a class. That would be fun!

Jared and Amanda: Thanks. And thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed.

Michael: Yep, I think it's going to be around for a long time, though we may not call it social media at some point.

May 25, 2012 06:45 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Fernando: Exactly... like now it's full circle back to a party line, but multimedia!

Mary Elizabeth: I wilt in heat + humidy! :O) Either direction over the mountains is wonderful. You are so right the contrast Eastern and Western is wonderful and fun to witness. Thanks...

 

May 25, 2012 06:49 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Richie: You have a great point. I think of Google as a tool. It's where people go to find stuff. I want to be there because it's where I'll be found by a wider audience. In other words, I want to make sure I'm in the right phonebooks. Thanks for stopping by, you're comment is well taken.

Sara: Thanks! Me too! :O)

Wayne: Indeed you do live in beautiful country. I love Idaho and Western Montana also. We are so fortunate to be in such a wonderfully diverse part of the world.

May 25, 2012 06:55 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Sandy: Ahhh... the quintiscentual point. Me too! I love looking at AR blogs then off to Google I go and often to street view so I can take a look around.

Julie: Thanks friend! I love coming up to Snohomish County. As to being the only guy, you know me pretty well. I'm into the slip stream and oblivious. :O)

Kristine: The iPhone 4s has affected my life big time. It's so cool to have a camera this good on me all the time. See ya soon!

May 25, 2012 07:01 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Debb: Absolutely love that drive out of Salem up Hwy 22 through Sisters and down to Bend and Sun River. I will never forget the first time I drove over the pass and arriving on the eastside of the mountains your in high plains country. I looked to the south and there was a huge herd of horses running. The music to one of my all time favorite epic western movies popped immediately into my head, Silverado! As to the guys? They missed a good time ;O)

May 25, 2012 07:12 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Stacia: Next time I'm going to plan it so I can hang for a day so I can visit some of those wonderful winerys and vineyards! There are a lot of wonderful places to camp. I love the drive around Mt Rainier via Hwy 410 and then onto Hwy 12 then down to Yakima west valley. 

May 25, 2012 07:18 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Paul: Indeed it is pretty. And because it was a wet Spring, more green than usual.

May 25, 2012 07:19 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

As I was reading this, I was also wondering where the guys were. Funyy. Maybe they were on facebook?

May 25, 2012 08:24 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Melissa: I think you nailed it! :O)

May 25, 2012 09:36 AM