Why Active Rain? What's in a name?

I often wonder, as I comment to posts, and create new blogs on this system referred to as the Real Estate Network, how they came up with the name Active Rain?  Was it because someone wanted to remain Active while it was raining?  Is this a site that is more like an adult myspace?  Was somebody sitting around bored in the rain and doing domain searches looking for a name on the interenet when all of a sudden they peered out the window and came up with activerain.com?  If you know the answer, I’d love to hear it.  If you don’t know the answer, humor me.  Don’t get me wrong, I think this is one of the most powerful networking tools on the net.  Just curious how the name came about.

 

Realtor.com -vs- ActiveRain.com

After mulling around in the rain network for the past 3 days, I have come to realize that this network of Realtors, Lenders and affiliates has become quite valuable to me.  I am already getting referrals and doing business with others that are in and out of my area.

                                

The amount of resources available here, and because the knowledge of the Real Estate Industry is “SO WELL”  represented here, do you think that consumers will catch on and come here to ActiveRain.com to find their Realtor? Thousands of consumers go to Realtor.com to search and find proerties for sale, do you think that one day, Buyers and Sellers will come here to find their Realtors, Lenders, Title Companies etc?

I know I would. How big will ActiveRain really get and is there capacity to grow as large as realtor.com?

Seems to me a site like this can offer so much more than just looking at a list of houses. This seems to offer more value to the consumer who is shopping not just for a house, but for a great Realtor.  In my past 3 days as a newbie, I have discovered a fantastic network of not just good agents, but some really great people.  It’s not just a blogging spot for the bored, this is really great stuff.

I’m hooked and sold, what’s next for the future of ActiveRain?

The Northern California Real Estate Expo – May 11-13, 2007

This is going to be HUGE!!!!  You don't want to miss this event if you're a realtor, lender, title company,
homeowner, investor, builder, developer, etc.  The list goes on and on.  I was asked to consider putting
on the Bay Area Real Estate Tech Fair again this year, but in lieu of this coming event, our committee
has decided to wait until next year to do it again.

Look at the sponsors, pavillions, and the size of this event.  This will be just like the state fair.  The
3 day event is the first of it's kind ever at the Solano Fairgrounds.  See the info below and comment if you like. 
www.NorCalRealEstateExpo.com 

This promises to be an event that will go down in the history and record books!

The Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, CA.  You might want to book your rooms now.  
Let me know if you need any local information, accomodations, restaurants, entertainment etc.

Realtor.com and GPS

Will realtor.com and other large MLS's ever go GPS? Have you seen www.realbird.com? I have seen sights like www.thethomasonteam.com using this wonderful new real estate mapping technology and I am wondering if this will be the new platform for consumers to find real estate. It seems if realtor.com and others would incorporate this technology, then maybe the next level would be a Global GPS MLS. Many consumers are looking for easier ways to find properties and investments, and it seems like this technology would be helpful in the home search with the local and national consumer.  Imagine when all cars come standard with GPS (and they will) being able to access properties for sale while you're simply driving down the road. Hmmm, a thought provoking idea at the least. What's your take on this subject?

Framing and Pop-ups on your website

Brad,

In terms of frames and/or new pop-up windows, I'm not a huge fan of either.  I like to put on my consumer hat and think what my users would want.  My logic is pretty simple… If I give my users a good experience, then I trust them to keep coming back to my site.  If I treat my users like I've only got one shot at reaching them, then the likely outcome is that they will only visit my site once!  J

(by the way, I think I'll blog your question and my answer over on the seminar blog: https://webmail.firstam.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://realestatemarketing101.topproducerblogs.com/)

Best,
-Dustin

Dustin Luther Director of Interactive Marketing Move 30700 Russell Ranch Road Westlake Villiage, CA 91302	Work: 805-557-3107 Mobile: 805-390-8410 Fax: 480-556-4373 Email: dustin.luther@move.com IM: dustinluther (Skype) Move Blogs

Join me on: LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace

---

From: Andersohn, Brad [mailto:bandersohn@firstam.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:47 PM
To: Luther, Dustin K.
Subject: RE: Thanks for Making the Online Marketing Seminar a Success!

Thanks Luther, the class was awesome. I was the one that talked to you at the end about framing. Is it better to have links on a website open in a new frame (window) or to have them open in the same page as my url. If I don't pop up a new window for hyperlinks, then the consumer leaves my main page and if they don't hit the back button, then I've lost them. What is the best way to work my website for the RE community? If you could look at my website and then the and let me know what is the best way for consumers, clients, bloggers and the search engines, I'd appreciate it.  You can reply or call my cell (below) anytime. Thanks Dustin, I look forward to sending some business your way.

Regards,

Brad Andersohn
Senior Business Development Executive
Southern Solano County
First American Title Company
942 Admiral Callaghan Lane
Vallejo, CA 94591
(707) 553-8930 Office
(707) 888-6299 Cell

Visit me at http://theescrowguy.com/

"Over 20 Years of  Industry Experience and Resources
helping you provide your clients the American Dream"
Open your next escrow with us, the TEAM you can trust!

Agent Assist – Realtor Software

                                       

Sometime around 1998, I went to a business planning seminar for Realtors in San Francisco.  The guest speaker and presenter was Mike Ferry.  Agents spent alot of money to come see how to create an effective business plan and set their goals to be successful in Real Estate.  Over 350 agents attended this Goal Planning seminar.  Many bought books, videos, tapes, visual aids, cassettes and other stuff to help them with their Real Estate Business.

While at this seminar, I had what I call a BFO! (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) I realized that every agent in that room and every agent here online all have one thing in common!  We ALL NEED TO MAKE MONEY! Some a little more, some a little less, so I started developing my own software application that would help Brokers and Agents determine their goals based on specific desired incomes.  I know that we all want to make a million dollars, but this program is designed to help you make what you need to survive, and then some. It’s called Agent Assist.

It started as a planner, then I added income and expense tracking.  It grew to include sellers and buyers net sheets, progress analysis, title and escrow fees, mortgage calculator, renters chart and more.  Now it has resource tracking, transaction tracking, charts and production graphs and a lot of tools to assist agents with their business.  Hence, the programs name Agent Assist.  I am now up to version 5.0.  This program has become what it is today primarily because I have listened to my clients and their needs.  It has a great, non-threatening look and feel driven by a basic flat file menu system.

Agent Assist 5.0 is The Premier Real Estate Program Designed and created to assist you with many important segments of your Business.  This is possibly one of the most practical applications and easiest to use programs in the Real Estate Industry.  I want you to check out the program and let me know what you think?  I will provide it to you for reading this post for just $29.99 and in exchange, I just want you to post your comments and feedback.  I want your opinion.

The software was written in excel so you will need to have Microsoft Excel installed on your PC. (Works on the Mac if you can run windows).  If you search www.google.com, just type Agent Assist 5.0 and you’ll find it.  You can also get it from my website, AGENTASSIST.  No gimics, no expirations, no ploys or spoofs.  This is just my way of giving back to my industry, my customers, and my fellow ActiveRain bloggers.

If you are interested in getting/purchasing a copy, post your comment and let me know.  If you already have a copy, please post your thoughts and comments.  Lastly, after trying the application, if there is something you would like to see me add or take away, please let me know.  I appreciate your comments and help.

Whether you are brand new in the business, or have 20 years experience, I know you’ll love this program.  By the Way…every penny earned from Agent Assist goes to feed starving Children in California…….MINE!!

The "Realtor Blues" Song

I have received numerous emails and phone calls requesting a copy of “The Realtor Blues”
This song was written by Jeff Dennis (President of the Solano Association of Realtors) and music by
Brad Andersohn. The song features David Sikes (formerly of the band Boston) as the lead vocalist
and bass player.

If you would like to know how to get a free copy of this song written for the Realtors of California,
please post me a note and I’ll get you your FREE copy. It’s a great song. It was introduced at the
CAR meeting in Monterey Last month. I know you’ll enjoy it! After you hear it, we’d love to hear
your comments. Click HERE to Listen to the Realtor Blues.

It actually has a pretty good hook, and with Dave’s vocal, it makes it worthy of it’s 2 1/4 minute debut!
Very Raw, uncut, and funny too. Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we enjoyed writing and performing it!! 🙂

Dave(left)
Brad(middle)
Tav(right)

Eminent Domain

I had a Real Estate Agent in Solano County today, ask me if title insurance would protect her from eminent domain?  I have never encountered this question in my many years of experience.  So being intrigued, I was just wondering, has anyone lost property in this manner or know someone who has?  It is a rare occurrence. 

                                 

There are a lot of websites that give definitions, and discuss the nature of Eminent Domain,  but it seems that there are no recorded cases where a homeowner fought the City, County, or State Government for the rights to their home, land or property.  If you have any information regarding this topic, we’d love to hear from you.  |

From a title perspective, I don’t think the title policy would cover this type of scenario, but Ill have to leave the answer to this question up to my title department. 🙂

What's Most Important To You?

What is most important to you when referring a client to a Title Company.  It is my experience that REALTORS and Lenders select those companies in which they have the greatest and most beneficial relationships.  Normally, it’s the ones they have received exceptional services, tools and products.  With today’s technology, I know it’s not always about location, location, location anymore..

• What Company do you use?
• Who at that Company do you use?
• Why do you use them?
• What made you start using them?
• What’s “REALLY” most important to you?

Is it the service? Is it the products and tools? Is it the people? Of course it is.

If there were a way that someone could help you increase your business, save you time, grow your income and do it all without impairing any existing relationships you may have with another company, would you be willing to listen? 

If they could show you products, tools and services that no other company could offer, that would increase your production and generate revenue, would you be willing to spare some time to discuss them? 

What’s most important to you?  Each person in our profession is different and has unique expectations.  I’d love an opportunity to discuss yours, and then earn the chance to exceed them!  This may sound like a sales pitch, but it’s not, it’s my personal approach to establishing a meaningful relationship, find out some facts about you and your business, then see where I can assist so all will prosper and benefit.  I look forward to meeting and discussing “What’s most important to YOU” in the days ahead. 

I think I’m going to like this ActiveRain network, already feels like home. 🙂

The Escrow Guy!