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Active Rain - Very Hot Virtual Real Estate

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with British Homes Group

Active Rain's Role as a community based profile and networking site has not and will not go unnoticed on the web, as its presences and popularity grows from great SEO results and new members spreading the word it is interesting to think about active rain's future.

 Ok, I have blogged before about the MySpace curve and how big will active rain could go, but maybe it is deeper than that, MySpace after all was purchased for a whopping $580 million (ok, it was a package deal with some other Internet businesses thrown in) and the founder of Facebook has been offered a rumoured $1-$1.6 billion from Yahoo - but refused! Also, do not forget Google Purchasing the great video community that is 'the tube' (YouTube for the unknowing) for nearly $1 billion.

With all these 'Millions and Billions' Floating around for 'Virtual Real Estate' - Lets not even go into the 'Second Life' Avatar online communities where ''Online-Realtors'' have set up shop. I must pose the question.. How much is Active Rain worth? To its community members it is priceless...but what if a media mogul or tech-tycoon came up and said.. I want to buy that...How much would it be worth? Lets face it there is very little actual physical real estate in the transaction..its the online presence and SEO rather than the real world presence...maybe another target for Google?!! - "Google Rain" anyone? Perhaps it might be bought with another site such as Zillow to create an awesome Real Estate Professional and Consumer Community and Resource? After all active rain thrives because of its independence!

I suppose the question is not how much.. but when, inevitably whoever owns Active Rain now... will most likely eventually sell it...maybe when there is a million members? Who Knows.. it is an interesting thought for the future...

Let me know what you think?

Comments (5)

British Homes Group
British Homes Group - Kissimmee, FL
Feel Free to comment and discuss your thoughts!
Aug 10, 2007 03:10 AM
Crystal Pina
774.289.5521 - Worcester, MA
Remax Professional Associates
With as quickly as AR has grown, I wouldn't doubt that you are right.
Aug 10, 2007 03:15 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
I spoke with Caleb and Matt at the Active Rain Brithday party in Kissimmee and they said that wasn't the plan - but you're right - it would be worth a lot of dough - hard for anyone to resist..hmmmmmmmmm   
Aug 10, 2007 03:20 AM
Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Future owners will be challenged to maintain the spirit of community if they try to exploit the group for profit.

Aug 10, 2007 06:32 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I hope you are wrong, I would love to see Active Rain stay right where it is at, under the same control. They have created a community that helps both fellow realtors and the community as a whole. If bought, I see banner ads in its future.

Aug 11, 2007 05:18 PM