Here is a comment I received from another sample listing that used maps. Just FYI.  

I can do this with www.mapbuilder.net and have all of the properties on the Google map API with a detailed property listing information. What are you using? Is this Google Earth with screenshots?

Here are two graphics you can use when your listings change status:

  or   

 Just save them to your desktop, edit your listing post, and add either of them to the top of your post!

Hey Steve, I stand corrected, I see the "Listings By Address" group was establishedby Gena back in November last year, it definately was up and running before our MLS group, I guess my search didn't show it back when we set this group up. My feeling was that people searching groups would be likely to type "MLS" and find us.....so now there were two!  Gena is awesome and I endorse her group 100% as much as ours. Funny thing is, both groups are on the West Coast.  Maybe this needs to be looked at and broken down by regions or Central, Pacific, and Standard time zones etc. (just thinking out loud) hmmm...

I like the idea of changing listings to (members only), that will remove them from Localism.com (I think), or would it be better to include a graphic that says sold or not available. Our group is looking for the best way with the tools that are available in AR.  We know it's not really setup to be an MLS, but it sure has been successful for many.  Here's one idea we were tossing around:

2130 Havenhill Drive, Benicia, Ca 94510

Benicia Waterview with detached studio/workshop

 4 bedrooom, 2.5 Baths.    YrBlt. 2002  SqFt. 2850                                                                 $  749,500.00

One of a kind property with a large detached workshop and office/studio. Ample storage with a 4-car garage,
RV and/or boat parking. Floors include marble, ceramic tile and new carpet. Solid granite countertops in kitchen,
updated cabinetry. All bathrooms have been upgraded. Two fireplaces. Professionally landscaped yard with Jacuzzi spa.

                                                                                                                   Click HERE for more Details

or something like this for expired, cancelled, withdrawn etc:

2130 Havenhill Drive, Benicia, Ca 94510

Benicia Waterview with detached studio/workshop

 4 bedrooom, 2.5 Baths.    YrBlt. 2002  SqFt. 2850                                                                 $  749,500.00

One of a kind property with a large detached workshop and office/studio. Ample storage with a 4-car garage,
RV and/or boat parking. Floors include marble, ceramic tile and new carpet. Solid granite countertops in kitchen,
updated cabinetry. All bathrooms have been upgraded. Two fireplaces. Professionally landscaped yard with Jacuzzi spa.

                                                                                                                   Click HERE for more Details

Steve -

Great info and excellent point regarding solds. I think all group members should do it that way. As far as expireds etc., I think "Not Available" would be best for those (if they remain public) , you're right...why advertise something you're not selling anymore. Would it make more sense to just delete that post from your blog? Been a long day, so I don't want to break my brain thinking too hard about that one tonight.

Like you Steve, we are all open to ideas and suggestions on how to make this work best for the AR members and group users.

I have the Nor Cal RE Expo tomorrow and Sat. at the Fairgrounds, Mothers Day on Sunday, so I won't be back to activerain till next week. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for your comments, support and contributions. Very appreciated.  :-)

Teri - just create listings as a new post and check the box for our group when you post it. You can only select 5 groups to put your post in now, they have limited that recently.  You should also post these in Gena's "Listing By Address" group. (if it's by address). The more exposure to your sellers listing, the better for all. Let me know if you need any additional support. That's what I do!!  :-)

If you view the instructions and something does not work or seem right, please let me know. 
The current instructions may need updating.

Thanks Yolanda, my hope will be that you'll get to use alot of the

graphics here in this group. (BIG SMILE)

Welcome to the Active Rain Online MLS Group, we're happy you've joined
our Networking Group!  :-)

Donna - anytime, glad I could help!!

Beth - you can save your posts in a "draft" mode and then return later to finish them.  I always save my initial posts in "draft" and in MS Word, this allows me to check typos, proof, and correct anything I may have overlooked on my initial post.  I hope this helps you out, let me know...you got my number, don't ever be afraid to use it!!  :-)

Draft

David, you mean everywhere you go, there I've been!! LOL!  Here's one that will keep you thinking, always remember that before you go, there you are!!  Welcome to Active Rain MLS Online, we're happy to have you with us.  You're right about exposure, you can never have toooo much!

BTW - You should also check out our "Active Rain Virtual Tour" Group.  Brand new and will be a huge success soon, but not without members like you.  Thanks David!!  :-)

Mr David C - I am actually not on vacation, I am chasing raccoons away in the back yard!! My cat won't come down out of the tree, and some member on AR thinks my middle name is wolfgang! Go figure!!  LOLOLOL!!

I will however be taking a vacation this month, so let the games begin!  Where in the world is BRAD ANDERSOHN?!?!?  :-)

Shari - AR is only ayear and a half old with over 50,000 members now. Do buyers see these listings? Yes. They get posted out to a site called Localism.com, check out some areas of localism.com and you'll see what I mean. Placing your listings here also exposes them to a National Network of Industry professionals, not just a local MLS.  I think you'll find the power here to be very beneficial to not only your sellers, but to you as an agent. The networking and referral opportunities alone make it worth the time, the effort, and certainly the cost! FREE? Hmmm

Great question, I hope I've helped, let me know if there is anything at all you need. We are happy you're here and looking forward to your posts...and closings! LOL! :-) 

Pat -

To subscribe to my Blog, just go to the bottom of any of my posts, and click on the "subscribe Button" or even easier yet, just click on this one here: Also make sure you are logged into Active Rain before you do. I noticed your comment above but you weren't logged in.  You also miss out on the points when you comment if you're not logged in.  Login first (always), then come back here and click on subscribe. You'll find your way around the rain in no time at all! :-)

Hi Margaret, I can certainly understand and appreciate your concern of copyright violation.  I think you should speak to someone who is a bit more qualified to give you that type of advice.  I surely don't want you to get in any hot water for trying to advertise your sellers property on other sources than your local MLS. 

I think that if there were copyright violations though, you'd probably want to pull them off Craigslist, MySpace, and any other forms of Internet advertising.  I would see what information you are allowed to advertise and then run with it.  There are close to 500 other members with almost 1400 listings here on AR in my group. 

If you have some documentation that you'd like to share regarding this copyright violation here, I'd be happy to see that it gets the exposure it would need.  I bet I can ge a featured post with that one.  Let me know how I can help...if at all.  Thanks Margaret.  :-)

Brad- Sorry if this was already asked. To be honest I just didn't feel like reading all 104 comments. But here goes... I've started adding listings to my blog and posting to localism and listings by address. I include a lot of photos and description. To post here, would I need to write a second ad for each listing to fit the format in your directions?

Again, I apologize in advance if this has already been addressed.

Thank You

Jackie -  No!  All you have to do when creating your post is add it to our group. Just join the group and then click the box next to our group name when you submit your listing to AR and Localism.com.  You can post in up to 5 groups.  These instructions were just for those who had no idea where to start!  

Margaret - thank you for noticing!  I try to welcome new members as often as I can, I include as many links to the things of value I wish I found when I signed up. I probably need to update some of the links as there are so many more useful and helpful posts added to AR now.  This one just helps get them started with posting their listings. 

Your listings and flyers are so professional and laid out so well, I'd love to link them to one of your instructional posts if you have one. Let me know, and thank you again for your very kind comment!  Have a safe and Happy New Year!  :-)

Kim - I have learned from so many here too, thank you for the compliment, I do have to give credit to many that I have learned from too.  If you want to see who those mentors are, just click on this link to see my "Most Subscribed Bloggers" these are the folks who have the readers and a ton of experience in Blogging!  :-)

ACTIVERAIN TOP BLOGGERS 

If the link doesn't work, here's the URL:  http://Activerain.com/TopBloggers 

Kim - shoot me a detailed email, let me see if I can help or direct you to the right sources. In regards to topics to right about, there are hundreds.  We can brainstorm those thoughts too.  Evenings PST are the best time to reach me. Email anytime, I'll try and reply same day.  Thanks Kim.  :-)

Margaret - My minutes are not always mine.....that's what makes them so precious!  (Big Smile)  Thanks , I'm looking forward to hearing more about your WCR presentation.  If you have a .ppt file, I'd love to see what I could do to mess it up   I mean, add some "Escrow Guy" tech to it....with your blessings of course!!  :-)

Enjoyed very much our chat today!  Congratulations on all your successes and may all your dreams come true... 

Muldowney Team, we welcome and look forward to your postings here in our group. Let me know if you need any additional assistance. :-)

Shannon - thanks, that's sweet of you.  Have a wonderful day as well.

Ben - when you are in the edit mode of a new post, you'll see options underneath that allow you to put in tag words, select groups, post to localism and specific states, counties, cities, and even neighborhoods.  Look at the screen carefully to see all your options available.  Call me if you need any help with this. Thanks.  :-)

Connie - you can only add your posts to 5 groups max.  If it's a listing post, I only know of two groups, ActiveRain MLS Online and Listings By Address.  You can place them where you want as long as you read the groups guidelines and then comply.

Kurt - a most apreciated comment...   :-)

Connie - don't forget that Sunday is Fathers Day. Always here to help if you need, except on Fathers Day! lol~
Have a great weekend!! Never feel dumb about anything you do, it's the smart ones that continue to seek more information and knowledge on a daily basis.  :-)

Connie - you can resize your photos by using the appearance tab when uploading them, or just click on the photo in your post, then use the corners and sides to drag to the size you like.  Call me if you need help. :-)

Ben - To stop getting emails when comments are made on any post, do the following:

1. Don't check the box that says "notify me of comments" when you leave a comment on a post.

2. If you have checked the box, you'll need to go back to that original comment, click on "Edit" and then uncheck the "Notify Me" box.  This will stop the email infiltration my friend. 

If you still need help, please feel free to contact me anytime. :-))

Kat - I recommend the address for your title, this way if the seller runs their property address, your posted listing will show up on google or yahoo first.  You can give it any title you like, but only you can decide how you want the power of your blog and posts to play out.  Many pay for domain names by address, with AR, you don't have to and you'll get the same if not better results.  Let me know if you need any additional help with this. I'm always here to help.   :-))

Kat - always here to help you out if you need, hope you know that. :-)

Jerry - it stays forever as part of your Blog.  You can change the status to sold, pending, off market, whatever, but I don't recommend deleting them.  Just add your status to the title, and then use it as part of your marketing and show your Blogs value to world!  :-))

Allison - you are welcome, and I do hope you're right.  We have grown now to the 13th largest group on ActiveRain, we need to keep the group alive, thriving, and valuable to both members and consumers.  Thanks. :-)

Sam - Yes!  You can post in up to 5 groups as long as your content is within the guidelines of each group. These 2 groups are for listings ONLY. Feel free to place ALL your listings in BOTH of the groups.  :-)  We're happy to have you as a member of the group. :-)  

John and Kathryn - I wasn't aware of those laws in Wahington.  I'm not sure what is the best way to address that one. Unless I see the details and can find loop holes (so to speak) it's hard to give a solution to that type of challenge.  Is Washington the only state affected?  Is this going to be a local case by case issue?  Who will govern it?  What are the other options?  I guess when the time comes, we'll have to really take a look at that and come up with som ideas.  This is the first I have ever heard of anything like this.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I will definitely be looking into it.  :-)

John & Kathryn - thanks for coming back to share that information.  I hope your Board and MLS do as good of job researching and getting the word out as you do.  I think for Washington, agents should know and understand this. They may already.  I think that moving listing posts to members only should resolve the issue. They will not be seen by the public and google will no longer oick them up.  Thanks for sharing your research and information on this post, I truly and sincerely appreciate it as I'm sure other members do as well. :-)

Steven - welcome to the group, we're happy to have you.  One thing you might consider when adding a listing is to "talk" about the home and area. Tell a story. Seperate yourself from the standard vFlyer or postlet or MLS data card.  Be creative, see what happens.  I am hearing that more and more are starting to do this.  It's blogging about a listing as oppossed to advertising it.  Jst a thought, thanks for joining us.  :-)

Steve - I don't really claim to be an expert at anything, maybe a jack of all trades and master of none?  lol~

I started in the RE Industry back in 1985. I worked for the title and escrow industry for 22 years.  I spent many years trying to understand and find new technologies that would help my customers (Realtors® and Lenders) do more business.  My experience comes from finding out their needs, and then discovering solutions.  I guess we call it the school of hard knocks and learn by experience.  Hope that short history pleases your curiousity. :-)

Carrie - don't wait too long, this post is set to self-destruct in 7 days!!  lol~  just kidding!  Use it anytime and feel free to stop by always.  :-)

Rich - two  three ways you can bookmark any post on ActiveRain:

1. Use your Browser to Bookmark page, and then place in a custom created folder.

2. Use the "BOOKMARK" Icon at the bottom of every post, just click on it.

3. Go up to the URL address bar, abd hust drag the little AR logo to your Browser toolbar.

There you have it, 3 ways to bookmark any post. There are others, but that's a good start.  :-)

Thanks Rich, glad that helped. Yes, there are some wonderful people here in the AR family. :-)

Lori - thanks, your comment reminded me of when I was a kid, it's the same comment Tony The Tiger used to always make. Thanks for taking me back in time. It was G-R-E-A-T!!   :-)

Douglas - if it's good for you, it's good for me!!  :-)

Danya - You have to first select the HTML at the top of your post. You may be trying to put the code into the WYSIWYG tab. The other thing is to make sure you grab ALL of the code, one symbol or piece left off, and that will cause it to show on your post as well. If you need help with it, just let me know.  Thanks. :-)

Stacie - you can just go into your post using the "edit" mode and make whatever updates and changes you'd like.  You can always use the "edit" function to cahnge any information to your posts whether adding information or removing it.  :-)

Stacie - I can tell by your comment that you are not logged in. First Login to ActiveRain, then click on the link that's on the left hand side that says "My Blog", this will take you to your posts.  Now just click on the edit link next to the title of your post, but you have to be logged in to do this. 

There is also a getting started link on the front page of AR, you should take a look at that when you get a chance, it will save you a ton of time and answer many of the questions you're about to have. 

I'll be around if and when you need me!  :-))

Stacie - just FYI...if you posted directly to the group, you will have to go to the group to find your post and edit it there.  I suggest when adding a listing, make it a post on your own Blog and then just added to the group when you're ready to submit it and go public.

Debra - If you're using Internet Explorer as your browser, try using Firefox instead.  The other reason you may be having an issue with photos would be size and format.  Some photos are 6-8 megabytes, too large to upload to AR, you can resize them at Picnik.com, or with your preferred photo editor.  Also using .jpg format is the best. .bmp files are huge, you can also use .gif formats.  If you are still having trouble uploading photos or images, please call me, I 'll see what else I can do to help. 

Charles - welcome to our corner of the network where "Listings Get Sold!"  at least that's what I'd like to think.  They are in any case certainly getting much more exposure by being here. Thanks.

Bob and Carolin - great to see you again.  These are just some guidelines to help, they are not rules per se.  You can create your listings any way you like, that's up to you.  The thought was that if a consumer were to look at listings here, some consistency of data and location would be good.

The reality, the best listings that get attention (IMHO) are NOT the templated ones or pre created ones, it's those that have been written and blogged about in unique ways. Any one can create a mls card or craigslist template, but to write about a listing in a "Bloggers" format tells the seller you care enough to make their home unique, and stand out above the rest. 

That's my tip for Blogging Listings this week. :-))

Terri - you can search by City, State, Address etc. using the AR search tool, but I know that's not the answer you wanted.  Because not all groups need as in depth searching capability, this is an area that needs improvement but hasn't received priority attention.  I'll be looking into what the plan is for groups with the new facelift and see what the plan is for future enhancments and for searching capabilities.  I would love to create a search mode just for our MLS group.

Ann - no problem, this is just one way of doing it, there are others as you will see in the group.  :-)

Flynn - glad you found this too, thanks. Enjoy the group and I hope your listings get greater exposure and sell faster because of it. Good luck.  :-)

Margaret - it shocks me that some people putting their listings on AR or in our group don't see the very basic value that you mention.  Our group gets so much SEO, it's truly unbelievable.  I have had members tell me the very same thing many times.  The listing on AR (searched by address) shows up higher than REALTOR.com, Craigslist, and many of the other Listing hosting sites. Too bad more members with inventory don't know this or get it. 

Thanks for pointing that out.  Since this is a group post, it remains a bit quieter than many of the others, but the power here is some of the best in all the posts I have ever written.  I love this group and all that it represents and stands for. 

Jen - I hope your sellers home moves quickly.  I'm sure you and they are hoping for the same.  :-)

Allen - I'm glad to hear that, the group has grown to quite a large number, hopefully at some point we will be able to break these groups into channels and add a simpler search method.  There's always room for improvements, and we're always looking for those ways.  :-)

Stacie - don't post just to the group directly, create the post outside the group on your AR blog, then just add it to the group when you submit it.  You'll see all the options you mentioned when creating a regular Blog post. Those features including HTML just don't exist in the group blog posts.  Hope that makes sense.  :-)

Danya - you're welcome and congrats on making it happen.  :-)

Aspen - anytime. Always here to help if you need. :-)

Zoila - I know many use postlets to add their listings, I am not a postlets user, so I may not be much help.  I know you'll need to go to their site to grab the code after you enter your listing, then come back and create an AR post, and embed the code into your AR Blog by using the HTML tab at the top of your screen.  If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me. Thanks.  :-)

Michelle - it's probably because you weren't logged into AR when looking for the "join group" button. Looks like you got it worked out.  I'm here to help you out if you need, you'll love the MLS Online Group.  These are the members listing all the homes for sale across America.  Great SEO, great group, great people, great listings, great luck to you!  :-))

Jeff - if you only post directly to the group, you won't see many of the normal blog options you would if posting to YOUR blog and then adding it to the group.  The options are different if you post directly to the group.  Let me know if you need additional help.  Sorry we didn't hook up yestreday, call me now if you like.

Jeff - great talking to you tonight.  Like I said, my door and line are always open to ya!  :-)

Ron - you'll need to join the groups first before you can include your posts in that group.  Be sure that before you add to any other groups, you read their guidelines first.  Let me know if you need any assistance.  :-)

Dorie - that was nice, thank you.  I appreciate your appreciation very much.  Makes it all worth it you know. :-)

Jim and Janet - Your speed reading capablities will certainly advance here in the "rain!"  Welcome to the community, and best of luck to you both.  :-)

James - if that works, awesome.  Sometimes copy and paste from 3rd party apps creates conflicts with the HTML formatting. If Craigslist is working for you, awesome and thanks for adding that tip.  Happy Holidays!!

Edie - awesome!  Let me know if you need any help.  Have a safe and fun Happy New Year!  :-)

Rick - I have seen others using postlets and I know they offer different formats, but I am not the postlets expert.  You might want to do a search for instructions here on AR, I'm sure other members have posted how to do this.  If you can't find it, let me know and I'll see what I can find out for you. Just search AR for "postlets" and see what you find.  :-)

Debra - thanks, this is just a sample of the basic way to get listings on AR and in this group.  Some use postlets, vflyer, craigslist, etc. and then just add them to our group.  :-)