October Blogging Challenge! Truly A Journey Worth Taking!

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Real Estate AZ Broker BR030809000

Blogging?  What is that?  Way back in 2006 a fellow Owner/Broker in Phoenix suggested I give blogging  a try.  ActiveRain is a great place to get the word out about your company and  your agents he told me.  So I signed up and did squat, other then leave a few comments until 2008. Early in 2009 I received my first contact from a fellow rainer asking if I could help a client purchase a home in Scottsdale.

Wow! I was impressed, this blogging site is working. great! And on and on the referrals continued, both coming in and going out. And I got to know a lot of GREAT rainers and was having a lot of fun at the same time. That's the way I roll - I know you're shocked by that! !! I also met a lot of rainers both at raincamps and in person, here in town and when traveling. I hosted a lot of meetups with help from Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ ! Everyone I've met has been genuine and truly who they represent themselves to be via their blogs.  To this day I call many rainers,  my good friends.  They're like family to me and Gary. This has been the best success due to blogging - creating long lasting friendships!

 

 

In early 2010 I got a call from NAR asking me if they could come to Phoenix and tape a video of me on how I prospect and build business.  She said it would take about 2 days or so.  She had been reading my ActiveRain Blog and thought I would make the perfect "Prospecting Master' for their Master Series. By the Way Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 was also asked to participate in the Master Series as the "Open House Master".  And there's another long story of that, right Margaret!!  I'll let her tell that one. Needless to say the whole experience was a blast - I loved it all!  Here's a link to the original post Master of Real Estate Anna ''Banana" Kruchten. I also received  a lot of press from this experience both in town and nationally.  What's not to love about that!

 

ActiveRain has rocked  BIG TIME all these years and still does!  I am grateful for all ActiveRain means to me and to so many, many other Rainers!  We are blessed! Thank you! Thank you!  THANK YOU!

 

 

 

 

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Comments (41)

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker - your journey has been a blessing. May it continue. The number of buyers and sellers you assisted are countless. Your historical presence here on ActiveRain has been a blessing to others.

Amen

Oct 28, 2022 08:18 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP after 35 years of being in the business, yes, I've helped many buyers and sellers as well as being grateful for the wonderful network of friends both here in the rain and at home. 

Oct 29, 2022 10:15 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

AR can really open doors!

Oct 28, 2022 09:43 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Lise Howe it sure did for a lot of us!  You included!

Oct 29, 2022 10:16 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker  you rock as well as Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400  love you both let's keep the spirit of Active Rain going 😊

Oct 28, 2022 12:19 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Hannah Williams This entire group rocks! Thanks for the mention.

 

Oct 28, 2022 01:56 PM
Hannah Williams

Yes it does Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400  I love Active Rain 

Oct 28, 2022 02:08 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

That's the plan Hannah Williams and Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 is on board as well!

Oct 29, 2022 10:16 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Anna,

How can anyone resist your bubbly personality? 

Not sure if you remember this pic.  It was the first time we met at Roadrunner Park in March 2014.  I got to meet a lot of AR members through your meetups in the Desert Ridge area, including Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ, and Brian England.  Being 2 hours away makes it difficult to get down there, but I have always enjoyed it. 

Anna and Sheri Roadrunner PK PHX March 2014

Oct 28, 2022 12:20 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Oh my gosh - I don't have this pic!  Photos are 3/27/14!  A few moons ago.  Great seeing this photo of you Sheri & Anna!

Oct 28, 2022 12:23 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Oh I do remember the first meeting you came to Sheri Sperry - MCNE® !  That was the only meetup in a park that I can recall.  Great photo!

Oct 29, 2022 10:18 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

OH my gosh, almost TEN years ago, girls! Anna "Banana" Kruchten and Sheri Sperry - MCNE®, what a wonderful photo! I'm a bit green with envy that Anna got to meet you and I haven't yet, Sheri! I'm so thankful for our Zoom calls and getting to see everyone there though. It's not a meet-up but, it's the next-best thing!

Oct 09, 2023 06:44 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Debe Maxwell, CRS  you would love Sheri Sperry - MCNE® !  She is absolutely amazing ++!  Can't believe that was 10 years ago.  Time flys by when you're having a good life!

Oct 09, 2023 08:56 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Great revisiting our fun time in Roadrunner park!  Amazing that 9 years have flown by since our first meeting.   So glad to call you all friends!  Aren't we lucky?!

Oct 19, 2023 10:46 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I have said it before and I will say it again, ActiveRain is the best on line platform for sharing the collective wellspring of real estate knowledge I know.  I love your story, Anna.

Oct 28, 2022 02:00 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

It totally is Myrl Jeffcoat - best online platform for real estate professionals.  Thank you and thanks for the feature in Old Farts Group!

Oct 29, 2022 10:20 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Anna, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Oct 28, 2022 02:00 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Anna AR was a great site to be on in the early years.  It still is a good to be on, but in the early years it was very special.

Oct 28, 2022 04:28 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi George Souto I remember early on giving AR preso's to agent in town and they looked at me like I had 2 heads!  What on earth are you talking about!!

Oct 29, 2022 10:21 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Looks like it is a perfect community for your bubbly energy and a big smile:) 

Oct 28, 2022 08:51 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Inna Ivchenko you as well!

Oct 29, 2022 10:21 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

No doubt you are one of my favorites here in the Rain. Love you Anna

Oct 28, 2022 09:37 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Love you back Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! !

Oct 29, 2022 10:22 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

The friendships formed with people I've met in the AR community will live on as the number one benefit for me. Second to that is business, referrals - sending and receiving. 

There is no denying it has changed over the years, for various reasons, yet the connections remain even with people who moved off the AR platform. 

Oct 29, 2022 07:59 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

I so agree with you Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist it's the friendships that mean the most to many of us.

Oct 29, 2022 10:22 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

 

Happy October. As the year coming to an end there are more events to participate and be jolly.   All the best.

Sam Shueh

Oct 29, 2022 03:52 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Great post, Anna. Your blogging has brought you fruit and has been enjoyed by many.

Oct 30, 2022 02:46 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do not think that anyone does it better or has more fun than you Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker. Writing my post just now, thinking back at my journey in the rain you are a big part of helping me and making me better. There was days i learned and days i laughed until i had tears. 

Oct 31, 2022 07:23 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Anna, for sharing some of your positive experience as an ActiveRain blogger.

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Oct 31, 2022 09:04 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Blogging is the answer if you are consistent and work the program.  Great article.

Nov 01, 2022 07:41 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OH I LOVE this story and have NO idea how I missed it, Anna! You guys have a GREAT group - what a huge group for an AR meet-up! AR did SO much for our businesses and I will be forever grateful for it. There is just no place like it...and there never will be. 

I am so very thankful for our friendship and having the opportunity to meet you and Gary in person. One day, we'll head your way...or you can stop in again for a visit here in Charlotte! I look forward to it, for sure! 😘

Oct 09, 2023 06:48 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS wow this post was from last years October Challenge!  I feel the same way this year!  As far as size of group, we've had much bigger meetups over the years - probably 30 to 40.  Now it's more intimate gatherings which are so nice!  I'm sure we'll meetup again - somewhere out west or back in NC!! Love you!

Oct 19, 2023 09:33 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

As always, another awesome story from you Anna "Banana" Kruchten !!! Our friendship started by my reading your blogs and always wanting to meet you!  Last year, while visiting my adult children and grandchildren in Arizona we met up for lunch along with Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ and Ray Henson  --- Christmas with our blinking hats -- and then again this year with you and Jan -- celebrating Jan's 39th ??? Birthday!  We are all truly Blessed to have one another and I wanted to tell you hear and now, I APPRECIATE YOU! 😇

Oct 13, 2023 01:08 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Diana Dahlberg wow I noticed Ray Henson left a comment on an October Challenge post and I thought.....gee I haven't written one yet.  And here it is from last  year!  I still feel the same way.  It was so great meeting you several times now and I'm sure we'll do so again when you're back in town.    Thank you for your kindness Diana!!!

Oct 19, 2023 09:34 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Anna "Banana" Kruchten You betcha!  It's really my honor!  You mean so much to me as you are one of the first people I met in the Rain on line first and now in person.  And absolutely, we will get together again when I come to Arizona again.  Hopefully I'll be able to give more notice so we can get a few Arizona ActiveRainers to come!  Could be SO FUN!!!

Oct 19, 2023 11:10 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

That was a fun day, Diana Dahlberg.  I loved the blinking hats, too!

Where did you get that pumpkin photo, Anna "Banana" Kruchten?  It is really cool!

Oct 19, 2023 08:51 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Wow Ray Henson what a surprise to see you commenting on my last year's October Challenge.  Thanks for the reminder - I need to get this years done!   That was a fun time with Diana Dahlberg and Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ and of course you too!   You know I'm not sure where I got that photo but it sure fits for AR friendships doesn't it!!!

Oct 19, 2023 09:36 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

@Ray Ray Henson YES it was!  I have this hat in my office and have many happy thoughts about that day!  In fact that was the day we met in person!!!

Christmas Blinking Hat

Oct 19, 2023 09:35 AM
Ray Henson

I hope you get a lot of opportunities to wear it this Christmas Season, Diana Dahlberg!  Is there anything better than spreading Christmas joy?

Oct 20, 2023 07:43 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Ray Henson I plan on wearing it a few times!  It still blinks too!  I believe in Christmas 365 days a year!!! 

Oct 20, 2023 09:53 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

So many great memories surfacing in your comment thread!  It's just great knowing you Anna!  It's always laughter and fun wherever you go!

Oct 19, 2023 10:48 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Yes!!!  I was just commenting on Ray Henson comment regarding our meeting last year at Christmas with Anna "Banana" Kruchten and you! Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ ... it's true!  Always fun and laughter with Anna!

Oct 19, 2023 11:07 AM