Ringing in 2007 -- Active Rain Week in Review -- 01/01/07 - 01/07/07

I hope everyone had a great holiday.... and a Safe & Happy New Year.  And I hope 2007 starts of with a bang. Sorry "The Lovely Wife"..., no guns at this week in review. We have a marshall on hand to keep it in order for now.  ;o)    And just an FYI... as Angus -- Active Rain Week in Review - 12/25 - 12/31 - from Ho Ho Ho to Happy! Happy!  & Ann Cummings -- Around the 'PUDDLE' ~ Week in Review #7 ~ 12/19/06 - 12/25/06  did their reviews with comments. What a great addition to the review. But for those that are new, please read their reviews. Not only were both well done with easy to read styles, they gave a quick comment in regards to each blog. For me right now, just so much to read in order to getting this done.....

*****UPDATE --  Caleb and I spoke yesterday. The week in review was about 3 days behind and we weren't sure who was doing it, so he asked me to go ahead and work on it. I recieved a call from Caleb around noon today explaining that Leanne Paytner had just sent one in.  ActiveRain Week in Review - 1/1 to 1/7... The First Week in 2007 Edition    Now.... since I was already half way done with mine, Caleb suggested that I just follow through with this. I had already spent over an 2 hours on this.  I held onto this until I spoke to Leanne, even though Caleb said go ahead. After speaking to Leanne, she said go ahead. Even though we had so many of the same blogs, I was able to delete those and add some that deserve to be recognized. If anyone has ever done this before, with the growing number of bloggers on Active Rain, it's extremely hard to dwindle it down to a select few. Besides,  Leanne did a great job & I won't be able to match her creative style with the pictures. Again, great job.     I am going to include a list of those that have volunteered. After speaking to Caleb, since they have so much on their plate, please try and have the review's out by Monday or Tuesday. Leanne did mention that she had an extremely busy week, which is understood. And if you are behind, just e-mail Matt and Caleb to let them know. Also...if you decide to trade with someone else, please let them know also.    Thanks to Bryant Tutas who kept the 'week in review' alive when Matt & Caleb first started it back in November. Bryant took the torch on his own and did the following week. Hence the reason why we have had people do it each week since then. So much to keep up with. On behalf of Active Rain, Caleb, Matt, and Ben.... THANKS   And now I have to make sure I don't mention the same ones that Leanne had mentioned *****

BEST STORIES:

Owner Occupied.....What Does These Words Means To You....  by: Netta Blackwood -- Well, I checked with Playboy to make sure that this wasn't rated "R". Just beware, I warned you.....

Heroes, Mentors, Role Models, etc.  by: Ed Rybczynski  --  You make the call after reading this one. From Roger Ebert, two thumbs up...

POSITIVE & FREE THINKING IDEAS:

For 2007, my glass is going to be half full.  by: Elaine Reese -- What a cute way of getting ones point across.

What's in a name?  by: Maureen McCabe  --  I placed this under free thinking, because Maureen shows us some of the Rainer's clever & creative ways of marketing their blogs with different names.

Everything I ever learned about Real Estate, I learned from Surfing.  by: Nick M  --  Here Nick uses different analogy's in regards to surfing and life. A great read.....

Changing the way you think ...  by: Christine Forgione  -- This could have gone under best stories also. But here Christine brings out a positive outlook for 2007 and many Rainer's jumped on......

ABOUT A REGION & LOCAL CONTENT:

Come Home To "Carson Park", "Long Beach" California  by: Laurie Manny  -- Here is one well done. Sure, the golf caught my attention, but Laurie was able to capture more than just golf. Check it out....

Besides Laurie Manny's blog,  Leanne Paytner  basically covered this in her week in review : ActiveRain Week in Review - 1/1 to 1/7... The First Week in 2007 Edition   : Check out ActiveRain Community / Localism.com

MARKETING & MARKET STRATEGIES:

Don't be a Networking Jerk by: Karl Christen -- Karl shares a good book for us bloggers to read. But he also goes on to mention how to obtain better contacts in regards to networking. I am glad that I stumbled onto this.

The Gun or the Noose? You're Killing Yourself  by: Cheryl Waller -- Here is a good post on those types of mailers that you receive, but good suggestions and discussion on how to do better than your competitor. 'Quality'

My House is a Prostitute  by: Don Fabrizio --  This could have been placed under funny story also. Check this post out for a unique way to list that house!!!!

Yet Another New Listing System Makes Its Debut  by: Lenny Gurvich -- I am not a realtor, but it looks like Lenny talks about a new way to market your listings. Take a looksy....

How to create referrals when you have none  by: Doug Beaver  -- Here are some good ways to look at receiving referrals. You might pick up some new tips.

PROBLEM SOLVING:

60% of Contracts Completed by Agents Are Unenforceable  by: Tim Maitski -- Talk about keeping your butt out of a sling.  A great post in regards to how contracts should be done, the right way.

Easy Steps to More Meaningful Seller "Feedback"  by: Ardell DellaLogia  --  This post could have been placed in a few categories. What stood out was that it opened the eyes of many realtors, on how to look at your feedback to sellers and how to reverse your questions/thoughts.

NEW GROUPS & FUN BLOGS: 

"Where's Craig Schiller When You Need Him?"   by : Rich Jacobson   -- This is a must see.  Just when you thought you saw all the beer cans that you could imagine. Now this is a recycling job.

Avid Skiers Club  by: Renee Koboszka --  Even though the ski season in many areas has been a bust, except for Denver, maybe we can get some ski tips from this group.

ADVICE FOR NEWBIES: 

How to Create Links on ActiveRain  by: Leanne Paytner  --  A must read ...the title speaks for itself.

Losing My Blogging Virginity  by: Rochell Heininger  -- Don't worry, you can be under 18 to read this. Basically this blog tells new bloggers not to be nervous.

TECHNOLOGY & BLOGGING TIPS:

Customer Databases? Which are better?  by : Monica Hubert  -- She talks about Top Producer while asking for opinions. The discussion leads to other ideas, thoughts, and opinions with recommendations.

Help Stop Your Posts from Being Hijacked  by: The Harper Team  -- Here the Harper Team makes us aware of what to be on the look-out for when it comes to your blogs being safe on the 'Net'.

 CONSUMER CONTENT:

To Loan or Not To Loan - That is the Question  by: Brian Foxworth  -- Talk about the word NO.... Here Brian goes out of his way to tell a client that he won't help them, because it would hurt them down the road. A must read..

Helping Buyers Make a Decision  by: Kathy Vaughan  -- Not only does Kathy make it easy for clients when chosing a new home, but it keeps her car clean.  ;o)

You are begging me to lie to you!!!! People Skills : Part 1 of 2  by: Jeff Belonger  -- This could be placed under marketing, but this makes you think on how to treat clients and how you come across. And  Part 2 of 2 ..

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:

THE CASE FOR 100% MORTGAGE FINANCING and BUYER PAID CLOSING - A COUNTERPOINT  by: Lenn Harley  -- I wish I had cliff notes to copy for this one. In regards to this one, Lenn steps onto the gang plank and gives her thoughts and opinions on the value of home ownership.

Fiduciary - the most important word a Real Estate Agent needs to KNOW !!!  by; Kaushik Sirkar -- Here he talks about being accountable and ethical.....while looking out for the client's best interests.

Mortgage Companies partnering up with Realtors... Legally? Or not? (Part 1)  by: Eric Reeber  -- I had the pleasure of interacting in this blog. A very good discussion in regards to how lenders go after business and realtors feedback on what they look for.

Consumer's Insights on our car ego  by: Loreena Yeo  -- Here is a great discussion on what kind of car you thought you should have to wheel clients in..... be ready to be surprised.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.....................Consumer beware!!!!  by: Bryant Tutas  -- And we can't forget Broker Bryant and one of his blogs that gets a great discussion going..... read to find out.

Lose the 'Tude Part 1: Being One With Your Socio-Economic Status  by: Renee Burrows  -- Here is something that is not discussed as often as it should be.....  read on.

ACTIVE RAIN UPDATES:

ActiveRain traffic stats by: Matt Heaton  --  This is not another added feature for Active Rain, but Matt goes over update statistics showing us how AR had progressed since it's inception.

Honorable Mention:

Relax...it's not supposed to be offensive  by: Brian Brady  --  I chose this because we can support our troops overseas in several ways. Please read....and support.

List of Rainer's to do the Week in Review  -- These dates are of the week ending.  So, Colleen will be responsible for 01/08/07 - 01/14/07 ......  And I will do 04/13/08.....  ;o)

Toby Boyce 12/11/2006
Leanne Paynter 12/18/2006
Ann Cummings 12/25/2006
Angus Woodbury 1/1/2007
Christine Forgione 1/8/2007
Colleen Kulikowski 1/15/2007
Ines Hegedus Garcia 1/22/2007
Mark Flanders 1/29/2007
Rich Jacobson 2/5/2007
Tony Marriott 2/12/2007
The Loveley Wife 2/19/2007
Toby Barnett 2/26/2007
Jeff Turner 3/5/2007
PS.... I read several comments on Leanne's Week in Review. She had 28 people listed. Someone had mentioned that she did a very good job, but then asked, how do you know if you didn't miss anyone. As I said, I had to delete a lot of what Leanne had already mentioned, giving me the great pleasure of adding some more good content. As Active Rain grows, there are just too many to list.  And I will say this, I loved Leanne's layout, with the pictures. These weekly reviews take a lot more time than one might think, especially if done last minute. Just an FYI...