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The Lonely Realtor Before ActiveRain and ...Now

By
Real Estate Agent with Associate Broker, Momentum Realty

Once upon a time there was a lonely real estate agent. She worked from her home office. And as much as she enjoyed it, sometimes it was lonely. Every morning she checked her email, made her phone calls and reviewed her paperwork.  When clients wanted to see properties, she made appointments and showed them houses. When potential clients wanted to list homes she prepared CMAs and met with them. Several times  a month she paid her bills and reviewed her paperwork.

Life was good, but it was boring.

lonely desk

One day, while reading a real estate publication, she came across an article that talked about a website called ActiveRain. Always trying to be cutting edge, this lonely real estate agent logged on to the ActiveRain site and became a member. She snooped around the site and read some interesting things. She decided to write a blog post and held her breath as she posted it live to ActiveRain. And one by one, people read what she wrote. 

Each day, she would log on to AR and read what others were writing. Sometimes she would send them an email but most often she would post comments and they would respond. These same people started posting comments on her posts and she would respond. Eventually, more and more people posted comments and she had more and more people that she was communicating with on AR. Soon she had ActiveRain Associates.

Eventually, she decided not to renew her newspaper advertising. She had never gotten any direct clients from the advertising and her improved web presence as a result of ActiveRain gave her credibility with the kinds of clients that she sought, anyway.

Little by little, the lonely real estate agent realized that she wasn't lonely anymore. Her home office had
Unity hands become her office at the center of the real estate industry. She had access to the best and the brightest from all over the country. When she had a technical question, it was just minutes before she received a collaborative answer. She could share her ideas with potential clients and publish information that was helpful to buyers and sellers. When she was frustrated, she could look to her new colleagues for sympathy and advice and when she needed new ideas there was no shortage of people ready and willing to help.She could share her ideas with potential clients and publish information that was helpful to buyers and sellers.

This lonely real estate agent had become a real estate agent with a huge network of caring and talented real estate agents to work with and found a large community of potential clients with whom to communicate.

Thanks, ActiveRain...you have changed the way I do business. Life is good and it is NOT boring!


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 Momentum Realty

A GREAT Real Estate  experience.

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The contents of this blog may not be copied or reproduced without the permission of Holly Weatherwax.

 

 

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Comments(71)

Karen Singbeil
RE/MAX at Mara Lake | Associate Broker | Personal Real Estate Corporation - Sicamous, BC
Sicamous & Mara Lake Luxury Homes & Condo Expert!

That is great there is still so much to do and learn on AR!!

Oct 14, 2009 01:10 PM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Holly -- very nice post and so true.  I have learned so much on AR in the few months I have been a member.  IT is absolutely the best place for realtors to share and connect.

Oct 14, 2009 01:21 PM
Christopher Webster
EXP Realty, LLC - Columbia, SC
Columbia South Carolina Real Estate For Sale

Fantastic post! I felt lonely like I had no friends then all of a sudden the AR gates opened!

Oct 14, 2009 01:45 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Holly,

You summed it up for so many of us!  Sometimes I feel guilty for the amount of time I spend on this site, but then I realize how many times a day I quote something I LEARNED on ActiveRain.  It's really a positive thing....

Oct 14, 2009 02:37 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Playing in the rain really is so colorful. Great post!

Oct 14, 2009 02:57 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

It's amazing what there is to be learned from Active Rain and what a difference it can make to both our business and our lives.

Oct 14, 2009 04:27 PM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

Thanks to everyone for your great comments!  Not only am I not lonely anymore :), but I keep making new friends. Is this site great, or what!?

Have a great day!

Oct 14, 2009 11:32 PM
Dave Sulvetta
Dave Sulvetta, eXp Connection, Gloucester County Realtor - Gloucester Twp, NJ
Realtor

AR is definetley addicting and fun... not to mention GREAT Google Juice!

Oct 15, 2009 03:11 AM
Jeffrey Burnham
Choice One Properties & Mgt - Las Vegas, NV
The Wizard

And the lonely Agent lived happily ever after?? Gee, I can hardly wait for the sequel, lol.

Jeff Burnham, Rosen & Co, Las Vegas

Oct 15, 2009 05:39 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Holly -- what a great blog.  I am exactly the same way. 

Oct 15, 2009 06:00 PM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

Oh you nailed it, I am a Broker running a team of 4. I get my training from A/R, inspiration and core network group. I enjoy the get togethers locally and when at conventions etc.

Oct 18, 2009 04:35 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Holly,

The wealth of information and willingness to share made me stick to AR, even though not from the first time I bumped into it at its very beginning.

Oct 19, 2009 05:46 PM
Haris Dedic
Villager Realty 847-878-2588 - Glenview, IL
Glenview Real Estate - Chicago North Shore

I really enjoyed this Fairy tale blog.  AR is a virtual trainer and broker  :)

Oct 19, 2009 06:03 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

What a sweet story - it is a bit of a fairytale here isn't it? :)

Oct 20, 2009 06:11 PM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

Holly, as others have said before me, I can see many other AR members writing your same story...thanks for sharing something many of us can identify with! :)

Leilani

Oct 21, 2009 06:26 PM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

Very original Holly, I'm glad you don't have to be the lonely Realtor anymore and congrats on the feature.

Oct 22, 2009 01:24 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
Congrats on your contest entry for Active Rain. Each one has been interesting.
Oct 23, 2009 11:09 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Holly, this is a great post, well deserving of the star and well deserving of the mention! I have to say, the journey here has been amazing, and I am so enjoying reading what others have to say about it!

Oct 23, 2009 11:52 AM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Holly- Wow not only did you get a much deserved feature but a PAWS contest recognition as well. Great story and one I so relate to. Once lonely never more. :0)

Oct 23, 2009 12:20 PM
Sara Woolford & Steve Golson, ALHS
iTexas Realty Co. - San Antonio, TX

Congratulations, Holly.  I have never read a post written "fairy tale-style".  It's a wonderful tale about finding friendship, deeper purpose, and more business! --Sara

Oct 25, 2009 05:44 PM