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Ask An Ambassador: Are You Human?

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com SAL.2002007747

"On the internet, no one knows if you're a dog."

It's been almost 19 years since we first joined ActiveRain.

Some members we know nothing about other than they write market reports, and more market reports, and more...and more...

For those that use ActiveRain as a megaphone solely to broadcast real estate content, who never comment on another member's posts, well for all intents they might as well be bots posting here in the Rain.  We never get to know their personality or anything else about them except they are agents in X location.

Other members, we've watched every step of the way as their grandkids were born and grown and are now off to college.

We've witnessed family pets from puppy and kitten to when we have to make the hardest decisions.

We've seen the Grim Reaper claim friends and family.

We've traveled the world together.

We've learned from each other in a way I'd have never dreamed of when we first got here.

We've watched this community change many times over, but somehow the community maintains the culture that keeps us coming back.

Why?  Because for the most part, the members here remember that their human side is what we seek to form our bonds.  

It's not just about buying and selling houses, financing, staging and inspections.

It's those peeks behind the personal curtains that allows us to find those common elements.  Shared hobbies, shared travels, shared interests, connection points in our past and present.

We learn what makes each other tick and who we can call when the chips are down.

ActiveRain has always been about what you put into it, and I don't think that will ever change as long as the doors are open and the lights are on.

But if you don't give us a chance to get to know you, how can we find common ground?

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

 

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109 
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

Search Homes:  Https://WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com

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Comments(16)

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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing some of your observations.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Mar 11, 2025 06:04 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Hope your recovery is going well!

Mar 11, 2025 07:35 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Bill,

Market reports have their place, but it’s the stories, connections, and friendships that keep me coming back. It’s about who we are, not just what we do.

We’ve celebrated victories together, grieved losses, swapped travel tales, and shared slices of life that go far beyond real estate. That’s what makes this place special.

 

Mar 11, 2025 06:27 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I like having the opportunity to know how people operate, their general attitudes towards life and business, etc.  It gives me a much better idea of they are someone that should be on a referral list, or perhaps not the ideal fit for a client or friend needing help in their area.

Mar 11, 2025 07:37 AM
Carol Williams

Exactly, Liz and Bill Spear 
And, beyond that, whether you'd want to be their friend. That has certainly been a bonus for me.

Mar 11, 2025 08:27 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Carol Williams , agreed, there are certainly people here that I consider close friends despite the fact that we may never meet in person.

Mar 11, 2025 09:29 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Liz and Bill Spear 

Bill, you make an excellent case why the Best Agents build their business on Repeat Clients and/or Referrals. Without a human factor with ethics and integrity, the odds of consumers choosing anyone these days is not smart and often ends before a transaction is completed. Hard working Agents who have built their business over the years with lots of experience are highly desirable because they have or had clients that trusted them. It's the sincere and trusting human factor, with examples as you outlined that make it in this business.   

Mar 11, 2025 06:45 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Patricia, my most challenging clients are the ones that I can't gain the needed trust factor.  When they value the input of a non-real estate agent over the person they hired to help them, it can be a stressful road to travel.  I always look for a common element with new prospects, and it's usually there to be found.

Mar 11, 2025 07:38 AM
Patricia Feager

Liz and Bill Spear 

Bill, good point! Unable to "gain the needed trust," is a problem. 

Thank you!

Mar 11, 2025 08:01 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

The members that I enjoy interacting with the most are the ones who blog about their life, rather than just real estate.  It definitely helps if they also interact with me and take an interest in my life as well, haha.

Mar 11, 2025 07:34 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Brian, you let people know what you're about, and that's a good thing.  I don't get out and about as much as I'd like, and even with being retired from engineering I'm still finding that my activity list is still staying full, somehow Liz has transferred a few things off her plate to mine :)

Mar 11, 2025 07:40 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Bill when I read the title I thought you were going to suggest that AR add on of those "Are You Human" boxes that we would have to checkoff when we post a blog or make a comment ........ LOL

Mar 11, 2025 09:54 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

George, I'm not sure, but I think at one point the developers put a CAPTCHA in place for everyone, then backed off to only members under a certain number of points (100,000?).  Not sure if that's still in place or not.

Mar 11, 2025 07:20 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I wrote a post with a video walking my dog (early on in my AR days).  I walked by a home for sale in my neighborhood where it's a great place to walk and own pets.  The folks that saw that post brought their dog to see the house and while they did look at others they bought the one in my neighborhood.  They kept it for years and last year they called me when it was time for them to sell it.   Getting to "know" me from my posts are why they decided I was the one to be their agent. 

I love this community and so many of the people I've met here.

Mar 11, 2025 01:16 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Glad to have met you and Don more than once!

You just never know where the common element will be with potential clients, but pets are a great starting point.

Mar 11, 2025 07:20 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - while my time here is shorter than yours, I have also noticed many things about those who "visit" the blog roll.   Like the real world we also inhabit, AR is a place where a diverse population roams.  And even the most casual observer will likely see that it's a small world after all.  Cue the music.  🎵🎶🎵

Mar 11, 2025 04:07 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

A small world in the total number of people that regularly participate too :)
I know certain generic comments are to be expected, and sincere comments such as yours are to be expected.  I look forward to the later category.

Mar 11, 2025 07:21 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

BINGO!   You hit the nail on the head with this post Bill! Who of us knew this platform would turn into one big family in a sense.  I quickly saw that happening and was thrilled to continue on and on and on!  19 years is along time! Wow!

PS I love your dog picture.  They are so darn cute!  Kind of like our little Norman!

 

Featured in BananaaTudes!

 

 

Mar 11, 2025 04:12 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

This place has definitely turned out to be much more than we could have ever expected!  Thanks for the group feature!

Mar 11, 2025 07:22 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Bill,

We have a special culture here and one by posting some personal posts we establish that common ground that leads to friendships and relationships.

Mar 11, 2025 04:26 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Dorie, I appreciate the rarity of members who tip the apple cart.  On the whole, members understand what it means to play well in this sandbox.

Mar 11, 2025 07:23 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Yes! This is so much more than a real estate blogging site. This is an Active-family for sure.

Mar 12, 2025 03:41 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

True, much more than just real estate activity going on!

Mar 12, 2025 03:45 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Bill:

This is such good advice about the human and relationships side of AR. It's a good reminder for us all and something that, perhaps, some new members will read and take to heart.

Jeff

Mar 12, 2025 05:19 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

We can only hope, we need new blood for the site as so many of the original members head into retirement.

Mar 12, 2025 06:21 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Liz and Bill Spear  I like this one and it surprised me I was waiting for the AI . Although the Market reports are our bread and butter it is nice to get to know each other. We are like family. When one of us leave it is disturbing it kind of upsets the balance for a while; but such is life. I treasure the friendships I have made here 

Mar 12, 2025 08:33 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

The AI aspect would be another one that could be explored.  Some posts when the AI isn't all that good make it obvious there's not a human on the other side of it.

Many people have come and gone over the years, and I've found many of those friendships just moved outside the community, but continued.

Mar 13, 2025 05:09 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Love this, Bill- The best part of this platform happens to be exactly what you talked about. The Human element. I've loved learning about bees from you...seeing Sharon Tara go from one grandchild to a whole basketball team (just kidding). Without the human content, it would be like eating dry cake with no icing or ice cream. 

Mar 15, 2025 04:45 PM
Sharon Tara

I don't even know how many people are on a basketball team. LOL 

Mar 16, 2025 07:29 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Kathy, there's been a lot that has stayed the same, and a lot that has changed in this community over the years.  It keeps me coming back every day.

Sharon Tara , 5 gives you a full team on the court, but you might need more to allow for some substitutions :)

Mar 16, 2025 07:34 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Mar 15, 2025 06:02 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Thanks for the inclusion.

Mar 16, 2025 07:34 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Although I'm only posting my weekly Wordless these days, I do still enjoy checking in on my AR friends!

Mar 16, 2025 07:30 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

One of the nice things about this community, once we've established the relationship, we can continue to pop in and continue as if there have been no skips in time. 

Mar 16, 2025 07:36 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Somehow I missed this post this week. I totally agree with your post. There are posters here who not only just post real estate things, but if you try to communicate, they don't respond. Then there are those who are "virtual" and even real life friends who we have gotten to know over the years. Everything is all about relationships.

Mar 16, 2025 08:06 AM