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A blogging success story - The Internet does create partnerships and build friendships

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center

 

Please join me in welcoming Don & Trish Schmitt to Michigan.


Kris Wales with Don and Trish Schmitt

In early September of 2008 I received a phone call from Don Schmitt and we had the first
of many nice long chats.  He and his wife Trish were ready to relocate from their home of
many years in Buffalo NY and come to Michigan to be close to their daughter in their retirement
years.   (Their daughter is also expecting their first grandchild!)  Who said that those of us not
under 50 don't read blogs
or use the Internet?   Shh!  Don't tell me that, or Don & Trish!


During our first phone chat Don told me that he found my website via a web search, and
consequently found the link to my blog.  He and Trish read articles that I had written
and in Dons words said "We should give her a call."

I wish I could put into words how much that first phone call meant to me.  Meeting Don & Trish
and being a part of their dream to be close to their daughter has been
exciting and fulfilling.

From the first time we met we enjoyed each others company immensely.  Finding their new home,
helping them find a wonderful mortgage representative here in Michigan, being there for their home inspection and finally the celebration of closing on their new home was one of the most enjoyable
processes that I've been a part of.

Not only was I able to make sure that they were taken care of here and ensure that their home
buying process was as stress free and smooth as possible, but my husband and I now have new
friends.  

Don & Trish moved in to their Chesterfield Township home in time for a Christmas celebration with
their daughter and son-in-law and have settled in nicely.   I know we
are going to enjoy the coming
years with them and treasure the new friendship that we have
made - all due to the power of the
Internet and blogging
.  Without this we wouldn't
have found each other.


~Kris Wales~  A Macomb County MI real estate agent - Ask me about buyers agency.

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Great job!

Jan 09, 2009 09:35 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

I have yet to have that luck where AR was the reason but My website has repeated this story over and over again.

Jan 09, 2009 09:45 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Amy,  thank you!  They are such wonderful people and I'm blessed to have them in my life.  Yes, it is one of the reasons we do what we do (the real estate industry and marketing ourselves).  Meeting people from all over the country and finding friendships that result from it is just incredible.

Fernando,  thank you.  I appreciate your kind words :-)

Laura,  I don't think it's luck that creates opportunities for people to get a chance to get to know us.  I believe it's a series of events.  If people are finding your static website (as Don did mine) and you have your blog link prominant so it can be found easily, then people should be able to click on over to it and read more about you.   It's a way of people getting to know you before they pick up the phone and call.

Jan 09, 2009 09:45 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you, for new found friends, warmth from the cyber world, and a HOME for Don & Trish. At first I couldn't understand why they'd be trading one freezing cold place (NY) for another (MI), but understood completely when I read about the pending birth of their grandchild. I just had my first one in '07, and I tell you A GRANDCHILD MELTS YOUR HEART! I'm so happy for them, smiling for their joy!

Jan 09, 2009 10:03 PM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

What a wonderful share. Congrats to you and Don and Tish

Jan 09, 2009 10:08 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Thanks for sharing this with us! Congratulations and also to Don & Tish. Yeah..for another ActiveRain success story!

Jan 09, 2009 10:34 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Mara,  I'm so excited for them.   The baby is due in April and they will be here for the big event.   Thanks so much Mara.

Janice:    I emailed them the link to this article, so I'm sure they will read your congratulations.  Thank you!

Dorie:   It's amazing how this brings people together isn't it?   Thanks Dorie.

Jan 09, 2009 11:23 PM
Linda Scanlan
A Consumer's View - Burleson, TX

Kris, what a cute couple! This was a great combination...nice couple and awesome REALTOR!  How could this have not worked out???

Jan 09, 2009 11:59 PM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

What a great story and you have new friends for life! well done!

your friend in Charlottesville!

follow me on Twitter!

Jan 10, 2009 12:41 AM
Terry Miller
Miller Homes Group - Tyler, TX
Miller Homes Group and Tyler Apartment Locator

First of all you get up to early. 2nd what a great post. What a wonderful story. Have a great 2009.

Terry Miller

Jan 10, 2009 02:19 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Linda:   They are darling :-)   It worked out extremely well and I'm thrilled that they are here now to stay. 

Charles:   Thank you!  

Terry:  Yes, I do get up early :-)  Best wishes for this new year for you also.

Jan 10, 2009 05:27 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Kris, I love the picture and everyone is so happy!  I'm also aware people over 50 and 60 and older ARE on the internet---they are fortunate to have found such a wonderful Realtor to work with!

Jan 10, 2009 01:11 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Carole,  it is a wonderful photo and yes we are all very happy at how smoothly everything transpired.  I'm so glad they found me, as I know I am going to enjoy spending time with them through the coming years.  Thanks Carole.

Jan 11, 2009 02:44 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Kris... this is a great story and it's so true, many ages are reading blogs on the internet. It's great that people can not only get to know you personally this way, but to trust you from out of state. Congrats and thanks for sharing this story.

jeff belonger

Jan 11, 2009 11:43 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Jeff:   Thank you for your thoughtful comment, I do appreciate it.  Yes, many people of all ages are reading blogs and getting to know each other before meeting in person.  I thoroughly enjoy it when someone calls or emails and tell me they found me via one of my blogs.

Jan 11, 2009 08:19 PM
Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast

Kris, what a great story.  It's so satisfying when we get that call letting us know that they've been "getting to know us" via our blog.  How did we get along before blogs? =)

Jan 12, 2009 08:02 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Maggie,  when I think back 12 years ago to when I first started in my career to the avenues that were available to us to meet new people I am astounded that I am still in business.  Isn't all of the new technology wonderful in bringing people together?  (That was an understatement..!)

Jan 12, 2009 09:32 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Kris, I got your email, been sick with the stomach flu. Only doing a miniumun today. Congratulations on this great story, it is so encouraging to hear of blogging working here in the rain.

I had read the Granite Story in our local paper since it was located in Saline. Yikes....I feel terrible for the people who purchased and got nothing.

Jan 13, 2009 04:13 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Hi Missy,  hope someone picked you up that Vernors and your tummy is feeling much better today.  (I'm a worry wart)   This morning I realized that Granite Guy has an account here, and his photo and link is located right next to mine on the Macomb MI page.  Yikes!  I don't want anyone associating my name with theirs even by proximity.

Jan 13, 2009 10:00 PM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

Kris this is a great success story, Congratulations to you and the Schmit family ..  I had read recently that the senior population was the largest growing group on the internet now, granma and granpa are very computer savvy now and we need to be reaching out to all age groups more than ever.  Good job.

Jan 14, 2009 09:54 PM