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The ActiveRain Community Guidelines, Need To Be Followed & Honored

By
Mortgage and Lending with George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages NMLS #65149

Lynn B. Friedman is sponsoring an ActiveRain challenge this month which has become an annual challenge for her titled 2018 Blog JUMPSTART Challenge - Fun Leading to Future Benefit for You.  One of the requirements in Lynn's challenge is for us to write a post about the ActiveRain Community Guidelines.

I joined ActiveRain in September of 2006, but the Community Guidelines of ActiveRain were not written until later.  However, everything within the Community Guidelines were understood by members, so myself and all the ActiveRain members before the creation of the Community Guidelines did not have an excuse to say "WE DID NOT KNOW".

Everything in the Community Guidelines is important and The ActiveRain Community Guidelines, Need To Be Followed & Honored.  However, the one requirement which has ALWAYS stood out by FAR THE MOST to me, and has carried the most weight, is in the first paragraph following all the bullet points in the Community Guidelines of ActiveRain.  It states "Please take these rules seriously. Don't try to look for loopholes".  I could choose another Community Guideline to highlight this year.  But this  Community Guideline stands out so much more to me than the others, that it is the one I will write about when I am given the opportunity to do so by a challenge such as this one.

The reason why I feel so strongly about this simple statement, is because through the 11 plus years I have been a member of ActiveRain, I have watched members violate this rule more than any other, yes even more so than "Copyright violations" and "Plagiarism".   Through the years I have witnessed members game the system to gain points and ranking. Each time ActiveRain has changed the point system to make it possible to gain more points quickly, the more members become more and more tempted to game the system to gain what I consider unearned points.  Even though most members respected the intent behind awarding points, there is a minority who abuse the points being awarded until AR catches up with them and corrects it.

Each member who has tried to game the point system, both past and present, seem to think they are more clever than other members who have tried to game the system before them.  But each and everyone eventually gets caught, and I am happy to say most of the members who have tried to get away with it are no longer are around. That does not mean there aren't still members, who still think they are more clever than those before them, and continue to try to game the point system.  ActiveRain would be wise to keep the temptations and loopholes to game the system to a minimum, regardless of how positive they feel the change may be.

If you have not read the ActiveRain Community Guidelines, I strongly encourage you to do so, even if you think you know them all. Even those who have been a part of this site from the beginning, like myself, would do well to read them at the beginning of every year. Thank you Lynn for initiating this 2018 Blog JUMPSTART Challenge - Fun Leading to Future Benefit for You.  The ActiveRain Community Guidelines, Need To Be Followed & Honored.
 
 

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Info about the author:

George Souto NMLS# 65149 is a Loan Originator who can assist you with all your #FHA, #CHFA, and #Conventional #mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex County which includes #Middletown, #Middlefield, #Durham, #Cromwell, #Portland, #Higganum, #Haddam, #East Haddam, #Moodus, #Chester, #Deep River, and #Essex. George can be contacted at (860) 573-1308 or gsouto@mccuemortgage.com

Posted by

George Souto
NMLS# 65149

C (860) 573-1308
CALL 7 Days/Wk
Fax (860) 760-6891

Email Me
About Me
My Blog

I am a Mortgage Loan Officer who can assist you with all your mortgage & refinancing needs in
CT, and RI

I can assist you with your Conventional,
FHA, CHFA, VA, USDA, & 203K loan programs.

I reside in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Haddam. E. Haddam, Higganum, Chester, Essex, Deep River.

 

Comments(21)

Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

While I may be oblivious to any current day "gaming of the system," I do remember one situation a few years ago where we had one member, who also created an alter ego to create points.  The perpetrator and the alter ego would stroke each other's egos in the comments as well.  Many members felt they had been somewhat defrauded.  To their credit, ActiveRain dealt with the situation handily.

Jan 08, 2018 03:52 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Hi George, we joined ActiveRain the same month and year! 

Jan 08, 2018 04:40 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Great post as always George Souto  you have been here forever  ..No wonder you are so smart

Jan 08, 2018 04:47 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

George- I can remember that when I started, I had no idea that points were involved. Seriously. It took me months to catch on. For those who are aiming for a free membership, I can understand why they are seeking points. But the important point they may be missing is writing the kinds of posts that will make the phone ring. 

Jan 08, 2018 04:48 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi George - I guess I spend to much time following the rules.  I wouldn't even know how to game.

Jan 08, 2018 05:42 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

There have been some members along the way that push the boundaries and break the rules to rack up extra points. I don't see them being called on the carpet as often as they should.

Jan 08, 2018 05:46 PM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hi George, I don't understand why anyone would want to rack up points, they're truly losing out on a lot.

Jan 08, 2018 06:35 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

George, I remember that person trying to game the system. It was a shock to me back then as we are talking points not money. I started with AR in 2008.

Jan 08, 2018 07:14 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

It shouldn't be tough to follow the rules George Souto but for some, they just have to play games.  As you said, thought, most of those gamers are long gone from the Rain!

Jan 08, 2018 07:57 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

It is much more enjoyable when people follow the guidelines

Jan 08, 2018 08:25 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

William Feela 
AMEN!!!

Jan 08, 2018 08:55 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

George Souto 
Yes - you are so right on all the points you make in this post. I have been concerned about one of those you mention because it isn't "FAIR" to others. That is "Through the years I have witnessed members "game" the system to gain points and ranking."

When people uses the same comment on every post, who do they think they are fooling? Certainly not members!

They are fooling themselves. Don't they know that EVEN COMMENTS SHOW UP ON Google searches for one's name. Do they realize that even their Clients will see that they are "loop hole -ing" or to speak truthfully - CHEATING? Is that the face they want to show their Clients?

If anyone does that - due to the rest of ActiveRain etiquette, a private message to support is suggested to draw attention the situation. NEVER are we supposed to be rude or quarrel in our comments. Yes, Virginia, the Clients are watching! For another approach - one could simply report the comment. 

PLEASE don't get me started on people who "game" the posts for points. That will be my Community Guidelines post topic!
All the best - Lynn

Jan 08, 2018 08:54 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

George Souto 
Oops - I got off on a "rant" and forgot my manners!
First, thank you for participating each year. Second, you are very welcome when you said THANKS for doing the Jumpstart Challenge each year. So many AR Members have said they felt it helped them get back in the Blog "saddle" again! Offering the incentive to get going again has always been one of my goals for the Jumpstart Challenge. And the "W" and "CG" of course!
All the best - Lynn

Jan 08, 2018 09:07 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I 100% agree with you.  And I still see the occasional gamer, but they never last. 

Jan 08, 2018 09:14 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good mornng, George Souto crime doesn't pay!  do you remember the member who created a person as a member.... I can't remember his name....he's no longer a member...

Jan 09, 2018 02:49 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi George... I always hate it when people think and act as if rules are made for everyone else and not them.

Jan 09, 2018 04:11 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good morning George.  This is good information for all new members as well as an important reminder for the rest of us.

Jan 09, 2018 04:32 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Ah yes....the famous "game the system" game...really ?  Does that make you more popular ? More likely to be chosen for referrals? Nope...it sure does not and the people who do it apparently haven't figured that out yet !

Jan 09, 2018 05:31 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thanks for your sage advice on this one, George. It makes no sense to try to cheat - geez, what lousy karma and relationship building. D 

Jan 09, 2018 10:37 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

There are no shortcuts in life or here on AR. Just do the right thing and do it well, you will get good results.

Jan 09, 2018 10:58 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I don't remember reading the guidelines when I first joined but have read them many times over. Some things get better over time.

Jan 09, 2018 06:38 PM