Today I was evaluting my blogging for the past year..and in doing so..I really paid attention to the little gold nuggets in my blog posts..not written by me..but others in comments.  Call it training..or future blog material..these are some of my favorites for 2008! 

The Activerain Featured Dashboard is Not Enough....  "Hi Midori - I'm glad to see Blogger's Choice get some featured attention. It's an excellent solution to recognizing all of the great content on the Rain, with the added benefit of really getting the members involved."

John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate

Basic Mortgage Information Every Real Estate Professional Should Know!  "Midori. You are so right.  This article should be memorized by every agent who has ever uttered the words "That's not my job".   I believe that about 50% of the contracts that don't close could be either closed or never written if agents would learn basic financing, qualifying, etc. The trend of agents these days to see how many tasks they don't do just perplexes me.  They don't qualify buyers. They don't qualify sellers.  They don't go to inspections.  They don't go to settlements.  They don't, they don't, they don't. How can they complain about fees going down when they are not willing to provide the service for which they wish to be paid."

Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com in Maryland and Virginia   

Blogging Class In Session, Tips on Gaining Customer's Everyday! Mmmidori... you summed it up perfectly with "Building relationships on Web 2.0 to me is much more valuable than top placement on the web"... That point seems to get lost in the race for SEO position or between the next batch of social network invitations.  The only real way to stand out from the crowd these days is to deliver consistent, useful, quality content to attract and keep a loyal following, sort of like our own personal fan club.  A zillion things & people are trying to get our attention on the web, we all have limited time and attention so we have to make the most of it if we want someone to pay attention to us. As you said, it's all about the relationship!"

The Blog Artist - marti garaughty 

Talking to Activerainer's..Do You Ever Get Star Struck? C'mon Admit It.. Sometimes I do!  "Midori, I've spoken to several Rainers and I was shocked the first time I got a call!  My first thought was... ME?  Are you sure you want to talk to ME?  LOL...since then, friendships have grown, many calls have been made and I can't wait to talk to the next new Rainer :)" 

Lisa Heindel, New Orleans West Bank Real Estate

Real Estate Professionals How Far Will You Go?  "Midori, THANK YOU for keeping an eye, but not delving deep into compensation.  GFE's should be compared for a fair market price.  Loan originators work VERY hard to obtain loans, especially in this credit-tight market!  The compensation is well-earned and, more times, than not, is less than the realtor's commission.  A Realtor should not begrudge a loan originator and vice-versa.  Realtors and lenders need to work together for the common cause: a happy seller and a happy buyer." 

Ann Sabbaugh  

Never Forget Your Humble Roots! Pay It Forward!  "Midori -- you have no idea how much this means to me.   So many I have mentored and assisted and it is the few that show gratitude for the help that mean the most.   I too am coming up on my two year anniversary -- July 1.   I remember when we all started and were trying to figure it out.  We all helped each other out.  Today it is a different attitude.  Back then,it was a natural evolution Kristal Kraft mentored many of us in the beginning, our group carried it on to you and those that are helping others.   Today, I see too many members that want it handed to them.... "Western New York Home Sales/Colleen Kulikowski

Technology Tools for Internet Surfers! Not One is Real Estate Related!  "Midori, I am so glad I switched to firefox. It has saved my posts so many times. and comments.  Everyone should use it that blogs or surfs, also great for not getting trogans and viruses."

  Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor (R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate

Still Packing And Not Closed. Put Yourself in The Seller's Shoes! "There are always mixed emotions when a family leaves their home. I remember when we packed up my grandparents in Connecticut and moved them to Florida when I was in high school. It was strange, thinking that someone else would be living in the house that Grandpa built!!!

  Barbara-Jo & Bill's North Pinellas Blog - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD

Buyer Broker Agreements-Its Not Always About The Deposit!  "Some people say there is no benefit for the buyer in a buyer's agreement.  That is a misconception, and I have seen it in living color - here are a few examples of benefits for the buyer who chooses to sign a BA.  BAs protect buyers from greedy FSBO sellers (they aren't all greedy, but they do exist) by allowing the buyer to have a third party negotiate price, inspection repairs and follow-up. Timid buyers don't want to offend the seller (They seem sooo nice).  BAs guarantee that someone will dig in and check a price, market conditions, upcoming tax assessments, easements, utility averages, previous insurance claims and more.  BAs guarantee that the agent won't bid against the buyer in Ohio.  BAs guarantee that the agent will show the buyer every home on the market, not just what is on the MLS.  BAs help the buyer get the best price, best value and best representation and highest level of commitment from an agent, because they know they are not competing against other agents due to their agreement with the buyer.  In Ohio, agents have a much higher level of legal commitment to buyers when a BA is in force.  There is much more, but I don't want to hijack this post!!  My thought: If an agent doesn't know how to protect his/her own interests, how can they be expected to look out for the buyer's best interests?" 

Dawn Maloney, ABR

Problogger, Can I Have Your Autograph? Midori's Book Review  "Midori, I loved your analysis of this book. I'm definitely going to order it as well. I do subscribe to Chris G's feed. I think I picked that up from one of Marti's blog posts. Thanks for the head's up. ;-)" 

Teri Ellis -  Homes Arizona Real Estate

Survey Says: Real Estate Is A People To People Business  "Hi Midori - I think anyone who is set out to blog trying to network.  I agree, it's a people business & people who need people (:)) blog, it doesn't always have to be about real estate.  I have read that here & there all along that we need to stay on topic and I disagree with this.  You can't always be cut & dry & if it's always about RE you will bore the consumer.  Besides, when you have  client in the car your topic isn't always RE - you get to know them.  Blogging is a way of letting them get to know you."

Kristin Moran ~ San Antonio, Texas ~ Real Estate (RE/MAX Access )

ReBlog Please! Tell Ten Friends And So On...  "The Susan Kommen Cancer Foundation has made great strides in Cancer Awareness. Also, the MRS. AMERICA pageant has brought much attention. Thanks for the blog..."

John Hurbon from Benson, AZ

Featured Post or Featured Quality? "You hit it right on the nail or err post button. Here's our top 10 reasons why writing for a feature works and makes sense.

1. You force yourself to write high quality posts with a larger degree of content
2. You end up researching topics more in order to have valid information
3. Forces you to write to a higher constituency
4. Due to heightened expectations from your readers you try harder each time
5. To stay consistent at a higher level above others
6. Allows you to use that resourceful content on other blogs/sites you own
7. Keeps you focused on the bigger goal, to dominate by points (joke)
8. To keep up with the jones'
9. To up the anny'/Raise the bar/Improve Active Rain
10. To keep Brad Andersohn and Rich Jacobsen busy / Job Security  (truth)

I think #9, is the primary reason why the feature should continue and yet another reason why it improves Active Rain as a whole.  Thanks for the mention Midori, i will be sure to pay it forward to you in short time O.o\ :)" 

Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA

A Lesson In Appreciation-Meeting Online Celebs!  "Midori - I love the way your purity and appreciation comes out in this post.  It must be amazing to really connect with great people on line and then to be able to meet and network in person is just awesome.  We have not been on AR long but already feel that connection and yearn for the next opportunity to be a part of something bigger !!!  It warms my heart to see and read a number of posts of how great a time people had but more importantly their appreciation to be a part of it and have that interest to be a part of someone else's life as well.  Is beautiful.  There are certainly a lot of on-line celebs there - including yourself !!!!!" 

Christopher and Stephanie Somers - Realtors - Philadelphia Real Estate

You Want To Be A Better Real Estate Professional? Focus On Your Mistakes! "Midori, I enjoyed reading your blog and you're absolutely right.  We should sit back and analyze our mistakes, and try and learn from them so that we can become better at what we do.   I think initially we instinctively try to avoid thinking about our mistakes because it's often painful to reflect on them.  Naturally, everyone likes to think they're perfect, right?  But as Monika said earlier, "no pain, no gain."

TRACY MILLER - Short Sales Specialist & Mortgage Mediator

Thanks Everyone!

For the interaction...the conversation but most of all thanks for the little gold nuggets....Your Comments! 

Midori Miller is a licensed real estate associate with CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty, Real Estate Trainer and Manager. If you are interested in a career in real estate please contact me!  All calls and inquiries are confidential.  CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty is located in Volusia County with 3 office locations to better serve the public.  Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Ormond by the Sea.   midorimiller@yahoo.com (386) 453-3236