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The True Lasting Legacy of ActiveRain

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

Today I had the most joyful surprise encounter with one of the true pioneer/rockstars of the Real Estate Interwebery, Kristal Kraft, one of the founding members of ActiveRain.

Thanks to the wonders of social media (Facebook) I became aware that Kristal was here in Seattle, along with her hubby, Larry, who is attending a meeting at the Evil Empire (Zillow Headquarters). She posted a picture of the Seattle waterfront, and I immediately commented/inquired, "Are you here in Seattle?" Much to my delight, she had just landed at the ferry terminal on Bainbridge Island!

Twenty-five minutes later, we were enjoying a delicious breakfast faire at the Streamliner Cafe, and engaged in a wonderfully heartfelt conversation that made the past 10 years seem like 10 days. Such is the power of the Rain!

To this day, some of the strongest, most meaningful friendships I enjoy are with the people I met here on ActiveRain! To me, that is the testament and lasting legacy of what Jonathan Washburn, Matt Heaton, and Bob Stewart created back in the day - a platform that fostered connection and lifelong friendships, centered around a common passion!

The NAR Convention is in San Francision this next November, and I would like to propose an ActiveRain Reunion. Who is with me?

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Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Comments (45)

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I saw your photo on Facebook yesterday and fondly remember Kristals contributions to AR. I remember her awesome logo, too! A reunion is a great suggestion. Keep us posted on plans to meet at NAR. (2020 will be in New Orleans wink wink). That's closer for me!

Mar 06, 2019 09:36 AM
Hannah Williams

Much closer for me also but I will try for San Fran 

Mar 06, 2019 01:06 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I just made a comment the other day about how much I miss Kristal Kraft here in the Rain!  She truly was a Rock Star here.

Mar 06, 2019 10:10 AM
Hannah Williams

You certainly did, didn't you?

Mar 06, 2019 01:07 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

I'm all in! I'm a 1-hour drive from SF, count me in for sure!! :)

Mar 06, 2019 03:12 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Rich - I didn't join ActiveRain until 2010 and like many members was not fully engaged from the start. The camaraderie and friendships that have developed for me has been a most welcome surprise. The enthusiasm expressed in this post and the comments are indicative of the spirit of this forum.

Mar 06, 2019 03:59 PM
Krista Jenkins, REALTOR®

I joined in 2014 as a brand new agent but just now became active in the last week. I have been missing out.

Mar 19, 2019 03:56 PM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

Rich, this post made my heart sing.  The fact that you were able to meet in person and enjoy some face to face time(not the otherFaceTime) is fantastic.

Mar 06, 2019 05:14 PM
Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

How about that ! KK and breakfast ! What a nice post, and testament that AR really has relationships , mentoring, peer to peer banter and advice. 

Mar 06, 2019 05:47 PM
Vickie Teel
RE/MAX PALM REALTY - Port Charlotte, FL
Sharing Florida sunshine one homeowner at a time!

That’s so great you two were able to meet up. It is a small world

Mar 06, 2019 06:02 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Rich:

What fun that must have been. I have not seen Kristal in some years but had a wonderful time talking with her on the phone about 4 years ago when I had the pleasure of referring her to my cousin who was moving from the East Coast to the Denver area. It was, not surprisingly, a wonderful transaction and she later helped them sell when they moved again.

BTW there has already been lots of talk about an AR meeting at NAR in SFO in November. For the last 3 years we have organized (well, Lisa Von Domek has organized it!) an AR meetup at each of the NAR meetings - Orlando, Chicago and Boston with much success. It WILL happen!!

You mentioned Blog World...wow, now THAT'S a blast from the past...Los Vegas, right? And of course there was Bloggers Connect in SF, too, twice I think!

Jeff

Mar 06, 2019 06:10 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

That is wonderful Rich that you two were able to meet and visit! May tentatively put the NAR meetup on my calendar. I have met Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 and she is the real deal! And almost met Carol Williams last month but severe weather showed and she had to get home quickly.

Mar 06, 2019 06:20 PM
Carol Williams

I'll take a non-snow check, Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!   LOL

Mar 06, 2019 07:24 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

This is so nice that you were able to arrange a meet-up so quickly and enjoy a meal while catching up. Very cool. A true FEATURE ... well deserved.

Mar 06, 2019 09:40 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Rich Jacobson , AR meet ups are always fun and I have actually hosted an Annual Meet Up at the NAR Conference for the last three years and was readying my post to announce this years'.  Definitely needs to happen as a Meet Up or Reunion or (whatever!) as we have had so much fun at the last three with Jeff Dowler, CRS , Endre Barath, Jr. and Debe Maxwell, CRS Sheila Anderson  just to name a few.  You've missed those but can catch up on the fun with the photos on and other posts from attendees in my blog.

Mar 07, 2019 04:05 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

ON my calendar Lisa!

Mar 12, 2019 08:06 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Mini meetups are the best kind enjoy !

Mar 07, 2019 04:32 AM
Greg Mona
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Professional Real Estate Representation for YOU!

Great story, Rich Jacobson! Thanks for sharing. So glad you were able to make the impromptu meeting happen. Sometimes those seem to work out the best! 

Mar 07, 2019 06:16 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Its free, always available and deeply satisfies.....INTIMACY

Mar 07, 2019 06:27 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Rich, I joined here in 2007 and have made so many friends. I would be lost without getting on Activerain everyday.

Mar 07, 2019 08:25 AM
AndreaBFerreira CRS - SRS - CLHMS
Keyes Co. - Davie, FL
Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County in FL

what a joy! with so many negativity around social media a good news like this give us hope! thank you for sharing and enjoy your moment.

Mar 07, 2019 09:00 AM
Nick Bastian
Realty Executives - Tempe, AZ
Real Estate Agent - Tempe

Two of my favorite AR people, for sure. So many good memories from "back in tha day" with you two! :)

Mar 08, 2019 11:42 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

The early days of AR were amazing. I know I should be on AR more, but it was such a small community back then and we got to know each other so well. Two members of AR phoned me when my husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I’ll never forget their heartfelt concern for me. Like Rich Nagger, I’d like to hear about the founding of AR and who was there at the beginning. I joined in 2007.

Mar 09, 2019 10:57 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

So cool to have read this.  I'm in!  Count me in for San Fran!

Mar 12, 2019 08:05 PM
Krista Jenkins, REALTOR®
klm Real Estate - Lubbock, TX
Residential sales and retail & office leasing

Active Rain is a wonderful community, and I truly regret not engaging sooner. Hopefully I will have a similar story someday.

Mar 19, 2019 03:58 PM