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When Steve met Joan... Thank you Active Rain!

By
Industry Observer

I love real estate.  I love to travel.  I love my family.  I love being a part of the AR community and the friendships I have made here.  I also love it when everything comes together.

And when it all came together today, this is what it looked like:

Joan & Steve

This picture is Joan Mirantz and I, standing in front of her office.

2 years ago, I was helping my cousins, Abby and Jason, look for a new home to purchase in Dallas.  Abby got an unexpected job offer in Concord, New Hampshire.  I sadly bid them farewell, but knew that sometime soon they'd buy a house in Concord and I would have the opportunity to refer them to an agent there.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago.  I had been blogging on AR for approximately 8 months and had made many friends across the country here.  One of them is Joan Mirantz.  I am not sure how we became friends... she commented on my blog, I commented on hers.  We seemed to share many of the same views and our senses of humor seemed to match up nicely.  And she was in Concord, New Hampshire!  So it was a no brainer when Abby called and said that she and Jason were ready to buy their first home together and asked if I could make an agent referral for them.  I knew who I was going to call... my friend Joan!

I loved Joan online, and when I spoke to her on the phone it was like I had called a long lost friend! "Was she interested in a referral?", I asked.  "Of course!, Was I joking?", she answered.  And so she became my cousins' agent in Concord.  And she has been a GREAT agent!  Cousin Jason, has a tendency to over analyze every decision, and easily finds himself in "Analysis Paralysis".  Joan knew just how to bond with him and how to help him find his way to a comfort level with the whole process.

So this weekend I found myself in Concord, New Hampshire.  Abby and Jason asked if I would come visit and look at a couple of houses with them.  I was happy to help them, but also concerned.  They are my cousins, but they are Joan's clients... and I did not want to do anything to interfere.  Joan welcomed me with open arms and was very gracious in allowing me to participate freely in the process.  We saw 6 houses today, and by the end of the day we were back at her office and my cousins were writing an offer.  Just a few hours later, as we were leaving dinner, Joan called with the good news... their offer had been accepted.  Way to go Joan!  Your professionalism, personality and market knowledge all combined for great representation.  Thanks for taking such good care of my cousins and for making me feel so welcome!

Comments (25)

Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Thats terrific!  I still have yet to get or send a referral, but hopefully soon!  :-)

Jul 19, 2008 06:20 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Oooooh I LOVE that...analysis paralysis....I know those people !  AR promotes bonds, relationships, business like no other...you have to be willing to get your feet wet .....if you are ever "up north"...come on over, pull up a seat at our rec room bar and have a cool flavor of the day....we have midwestern hospitality too !  Good job !

Jul 20, 2008 01:03 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Steve - terrific them them to Joan and great news all around. Great example of what can happen in the rain.

Jul 20, 2008 01:09 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Steve...you beat me to it you rat!! And I told you to photo shop that picture!

Jul 20, 2008 08:46 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Jason... It has been a great trip on so many levels and a nice change of pace from the summer in Dallas.  I had meant to tag the story as an AR success story, but forgot!  Thanks for the reminder!

Hi Anthony... Thanks for stoppying by and for the kind comments!  Hope all is going well with all the new excitement in your life!

Jul 20, 2008 04:06 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Duane... Thanks for the feature, and since I referred them to Joan I will have to agree that my cousins most definitely have great taste in agents!  Perhaps it's genetic! :)

Hi Rich...  If you love her blogs, you'll love Joan in person even more!  She is fun, professional and  a great conversationalist... and she's even cuter in person than in her picture!  I am thrilled I got to meet this special person and spend the afternoon getting to know her.

Jul 20, 2008 04:16 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Patricia... This story was also great fun to write!  :)

Hi Liz... Just when you least expect it, it will happen!  It's all about referral karma!

Jul 20, 2008 04:19 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Sally and David... I have heard so many wonderful things about Milwaukee and Wisconsin. If I ever get up that way to check it out I will definitely let you know!  Thanks for the hospitable offer!

Hi Mike... This weekend was a lot of fun.  And all because I spent some time in "The Rain".  I highly recommend it... and if you have real estate needs in the Concord, NH area, I highly recommend Joan!

Jul 20, 2008 04:27 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Joan... Ya gotta be quicker than that!  I didn't photoshop you because you look GREAT!  If you haven't figured it out from this post, I'm a big Joan fan! :)

Jul 21, 2008 08:11 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

Steve - Glad to hear about your meeting with Joan in Concord. The blog I wrote a few back about crossing state lines goes to show it not only happens in blogs and comments but can turn into a real face to face meeting.

This is the best blog your have written my friend. You have made a new friend for life.

Jul 21, 2008 02:34 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Steve, I have loved the relationships I have made here on AR.  I just met Debra Brooks for lunch on Friday and we had a great time. 

Prior to AR I had not had a very good experience reffering people.  With AR we have an opportunity to develop relationships and that makes all the difference in the world.

 

Jul 21, 2008 03:49 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Steve, I read Joan's side of this story the other day and was so glad you all got to meet up. What a great story.

Jul 21, 2008 04:29 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Joan IS  a GREAT agent and a great friend.  I am glad that you found her on Active Rain and that you cousins were successful in their home search.  Hope to meet you next time you are in New Hampshire.

Jul 22, 2008 01:00 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Carl & Ceil... Wow... My best blog?  Thank you for the compliment.  It is definitely one of my favorites!

Hi Marchel... I couldn't agree with you more!  The relationships make all the difference.

Jul 22, 2008 02:42 AM
Jan Gaweda
Realty Mark CityScape- BUY SELL FIX FLIP RENT - Norristown, PA
BUY SELL FIX FLIP RENT

Great story and great to see that AR has played an important part of Networking put you individuals together to have a mutually beneficial relationship.

 

Jan

Jul 22, 2008 02:59 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Gary... Thanks, I think it's a great story too.  Joan is a real treasure.  I am glad to have her as a friend.

Hi Joan W...  I adored Joan when we were just online pals, but having met her in person, now there is a real bond.  I would love to meet you next time I am in NH.  I can see the blog title now... "My lunch with the 2 Joans of NH!" :)

Jul 22, 2008 10:43 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

This is how it should work. From one professional to another.

Jul 23, 2008 03:15 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Jan... AR has been an invaluable networking tool for me.  Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Hi Robert... I couldn't agree more!  Thanks!

Jul 23, 2008 11:41 AM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Steve, thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with us all.  Joan sounds like she was great.  Pretty cool that you actually got to meet her and be with your cousins while they were house shopping. 

AR is a great opportunity for networking. 

Jul 26, 2008 06:33 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Sondra... AR is networking heaven!  Joan truly is a wonderful person and a talented agent.  I am definitely richer for having gotten to meet her.

Jul 27, 2008 05:58 AM