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Active Rain does work & not only for me -- Success Stories!!!!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

happy people

 

 

I have been on Active Rain since October 1st, 2006 and I have learned so much and have made so many friends. But I have also earned some business from those that read my blogs and even a few members on AR. Overall, it's been a great experience.

I wanted to share this with everyone on AR and those in the public for several reasons. I want to make people aware that blogging is such a powerful tool. Jason Crouch shared a post with us reflecting on his success on 11/8/07. And I wanted to let consumers know that this is a great site to find professionals that you can trust and those that have your best interest in your transactions. Even if you have a question, many of us are willing to help you.

 

long distance

 

One great asset about blogging is that I have been able to reach people from all over. Not only have I talked to realtors and AR members throughout the United States, but that I have helped clients outside of my surrounding area. Just in the last 2 months, I have closed on 6 transactions just from blogging. Four of these mortgages that closed were outside of my state of New Jersey. One as far as California. Here is a great debate on whether you should work with a lender close to home or out of state. Out of state lenders.... -- Good or Bad   My point here is that it can work if you allow it to. 

And who said the media can be a negative impact?  Well, it can at times, they have a tendency to makes things look larger than they really are. But I have read several success stories in regards to the media recognizing some members here on Active Rain. Missy Caulk just wrote this recently,  I'm Being Interviewed for the NEWS!!!!!   Craig Schiller had a great experience with NBC. NBC picked up my blog... How do I EVEN BEGIN to thank Active Rain?!!!!  And I was even interviewed by a freelance writer from AOL's real estate section. AOL Real Estate -- I have been interviewed, thanks to Active Rain.....

 

  

thank you                                                                                                  
Just the joys of being thanked when you are able to even help a competitor of yours can go a long way. Here is an excerpt from another loan officer who had been reading my blogs.

“Last month I was told by the FHA/HUD hotline that my combined loan to value (CLTV) could not be higher than 95% on a cash out refinance.  Having read Jeff’s blog in the past, I recalled seeing something to the contrary. After going back through the blog, I located the reference to the HUD letter stating that as long as the borrower qualified ratio wise, then there was no CLTV requirement with subordination.  Had I listen to the HUD “experts”, the loan would have died, but I went to the real “FHA expert” and go the deal closed.  Keep up the great work Jeff.  Thanks, Kevin

 

And here is an e-mail that made my day from another client, because an AR member had referred them to me.
An E-MAIL that made my day.........

 

 

Conclusion :  Active Rain can be a very powerful and helpful tool in so many ways for both the member and the consumer. Take advantage of it and don't lose sight of your focus. One last thing about Active Rain has been the friendships that I have made. I have even had the pleasure to have met 3 of them in person and looking forward to meeting more in the near future.


 

 

 

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert   You can also go to this group : The FHA Mortgage Group

For more information on how you can obtain your dream home, please click here : Mortgage Financing Options

 

Copyright  © 2007   by Jeff Belonger

 

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

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For information about FHA myths & FHA rumors, please read : FHA Myths & Rumors

 

Copyright © 2011 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

D B
Quakertown, PA
e-PRO, Realtor - Bucks County PA - 610-952-3578
I love the success stories.  I like the use of the pictures in your blog as well.
Nov 13, 2007 12:18 AM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Jeff,

Great story. Thanks for posting it. It's great to see the success stories from AR. Keep up the great work.

Nov 13, 2007 03:47 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Peggy.....  thank you for the compliment and for stopping by.

Donald....  I love the success stories on here also. And yes, I loved the second picture most myself. I thought it tied into what I wanted to mention extremely well.  thanks

Andrew.... as so many have mentioned, it is great to see these types of stories. You should read Jason Crouch's blog. Unfortunately it was for members only.  thanks for the compliment.

Nov 13, 2007 05:11 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
Jeff - Thanks for mentioning and linking to me in your post.  By the way, I changed that post to public now.
Nov 13, 2007 09:15 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC
Hi Jeff,
AR provides a great platform for us but we have to do the work.  Thanks.
Nov 13, 2007 12:27 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Jeff,

AR has really established itself as the premier real estate network. Not only by the growing membership numbers, but also by the professional platform it provides for its members and how they use it. But to gain the benefits require work, require you participate by blogging, commenting, exchanging ideas etc.

Nov 13, 2007 02:34 PM
Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes
Jeff isnt it great to hear about all these success stories that have happened here on Active Rain. I love starting and ending my day here on Active Rain. Your Orlando & Lake Mary Real Estate Expert Heather Joubran
Nov 14, 2007 10:01 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Jason..... well, that's good. I will need to go back and link it now.  thanks

Cynthia.... do we have to do the work?  aaarrggghhh    ;o)  Seriously, yes, we do need to do some work.

Esko.....  I certainly think so. I haven't really ventured out to visit other sites, but I am happy. Overall, thanks for your feedback and input.

Heather....  yes, it is great and I hope to read some more.....  maybe sometime soon, a few about you also. Thanks for stopping by.

 

Nov 14, 2007 11:49 AM
Faina Sechzer
Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty - Princeton, NJ
Real Estate Expert - Princeton, Montgomery ,Hopewell, NJ
Jeff - I started blogging here as a way to explore this new marketing angle. I have put in a lot of effort. If I were to judge it on the new business that resulted because of it, I would have to be disappointed, since it didn't happen yet. I am usually very analytical when it comes to ROI, whether of time or money.

I am not disappointed, in fact blogging is one of the most satisfying aspects of my day. I am happy with the new people connections I made here. The learning has been phenomenal. I guess I will have to take stock, as I go along. If I don't see business results I would need to ask myself the prudent questions.

Congratulations on the big effort you have put in and the business results that you got. It's all well deserved. I am surely happy our paths have crossed here.


Nov 15, 2007 12:10 AM
Rob Robinson- Lehigh Valley PA
Bertrum Settlements (Title & Abstract) - Allentown, PA

I have gained both friends and business through ActiveRain.... and many of you know that 85% of my blogs are just goofy stuff.

Since 'My Clients' are the Realtors and Loan Advisors per se, those on AR tend to ignore my damaged brain cells and agree to meet with me.  Now the public.... not sure I wanna ask :^)

AR is without a doubt a useful tool for both business growth, VALUABLE INFORMATION, and personal stress relief.

Jeff Belonger is one sharp Loan Expert and would refer business to him in a heartbeat. Did I know Jeff a year and a half ago? No.  And now I would refer business? Why?

1) I read his blogs and comments

2) I met him personally

3) I have now provided closings for him 

All A+++ experiances.

Nov 15, 2007 12:15 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

FAINA......   I know exactly where you are coming from. And I was the same way after my first 8 months. But the e-mails are picking up weekly and I would assume it's working now more than ever because of the amount of time that I have been doing this.

I agree, blogging can be satisfying and I love the connections that I have made also. Thank you for the kind words and I am also happy that are paths have crossed. thanks

ROB.......  friends?  What are those....?  ;o)   Hey, you were my first meeting on AR and I will cherish that forever.  I truly thanks you for the the plug, for the support, and for those polite words.  I agree with everything that you had to mention.  thanks

 

Nov 15, 2007 11:12 AM
Denise Allen
Resh Realty Group - Chesapeake, VA
Realtor@ Chesapeake, Hampton Roads
I do a lot of comments but not much blogging.   I know I need to increase my blogging but can never think of anything to say.
Nov 16, 2007 02:59 AM
Rob Robinson- Lehigh Valley PA
Bertrum Settlements (Title & Abstract) - Allentown, PA

Denise - what did you say?  8^)

Just write about your home town - there must be SOMETHING of interest.... and plop it into localism also.

Nov 16, 2007 03:05 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

 

DENISE.....  as Rob below mentioned, blog about your hometown and place it on Localism also. I use to struggle sometimes in what to write. There are so many examples of people on AR and what they write.

Take Faina Sechzer for example, a lot of her posts are feeling posts. Just her thoughts....

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman who writes all kinds of blogs. I would say half of her stuff are feeling posts, but she has does about 40% of her posts on her local area in Hawaii. Read these to get a great idea.

Jason Crouch  -- Read Jason's last 6 blogs to get an idea. He wrote an excellent post that was an analogy about service in the real estate profession and comparing it to service at a restaurant. 

Brian Brady   Brian writes a lot of thought provoking posts, relating to both the real estate market and mortgages.

Matthew J Blum   Writes both mortgage related and feeling posts in regards to the real estate market, etc etc 

Missy Caulk    Missy writes all kinds....  some fun and interesting. Read : Just the "Big 3"?  She also writes posts about he her RE/MAX office and what they have to offer nationally.  Wrote one about her daughter and so many others.

 

***there could be 100's that I could have mentioned. So many good writer's and so many to choose from.*** 

Overall.... just read, read, and read. Don't stress about it...  there is so much to learn out there. Write down little notes as your day progresses, with thoughts and topics for blogging. Keep a little journal possibly, as some have a little book to keep notes in. Me?  I just e-mail myself topics and such when I think of something and go back to it later.  Hope this helps some.
 

 

ROB.....  thanks for your feedback.

Nov 16, 2007 04:02 AM
The Moore Team
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Great motivation!  Especially for new rainers...and even for those of us who have our own success stories.
Nov 16, 2007 07:24 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
TONY..... thanks for those kind words....   I just think so many join and run away. They don't even see the big picture or ask questions, trying to understand. There are so many on AR that are willing to help and answer questions.
Nov 18, 2007 01:29 AM
First Last
Eatontown, NJ

Jeff,

Thanks for sharing positive news!!  Good news is always good to hear!

Feb 05, 2008 02:45 AM
Pat McCray, ABR
CENTURY 21 AAA North (Capac Office) - Berlin Township, MI

Hi Jeff,
What a great blog.  I have recently looked at you links, I shall be returning.   Thank  you for all the information you have made available.  It is great to know that if I have questions or concerns, I have another resource just a click of the mouse away.  Again thank you for wanting to share your expertise with all of us on AR.  Much success to you.

Feb 15, 2008 01:16 AM
Rachel Martiens and Kathy Tyndall = The Tyndall Team
RE/MAX ESTATE PROPERTIES - Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Love Living In The South Bay

Great post Jeff. Very helpful. Congrats on your success and continued success.

Sep 11, 2009 09:20 AM
Mark Velasco
West Shores Realty - Whittier, CA
Top Producing Broker Associate

Congratulations Jeff. Your hard work has really payed off for you.

Sep 13, 2009 10:53 AM