40 People Who Want More $$$$ for Your Listing Than Your Seller Does..

                                              

When listing a sellers property, who do you think wants the home to sell for more than your seller does?  Doesn't everyone always want to offer the least amount (low ball offer) and get the best deal?  Is it remotely possible that there are people out there who actually want the home to sell for more than the owner desires or expects?  I think yes!

Whether you believe in this or not, there are most certainly at least 40 people I can think of that want your listing to sell for TOP DOLLAR!  In fact, if they could have their way, the seller would probably get $50,000 – $100,000 more than the asking price!  How is this possible?  Who are these people? Where in the world could you find them?

You already know where I'm going with this and now I'm just taking up space on my Blog.  I think we forget and miss out on the opportunity to really create a "BUZZ" in the neighborhood about your listing.  So here's my suggestion (if you're not doing it already), knock on the doors of the 10 homes on the left, the 10 homes on the right, and the 20 homes across the street from your listing.  Invite them over to a VIP Neighborhood preview.  Buy a tray of deli's and cheese, and ask them to come over on a weekday evening! (Thursdays or Fridays)

Let the neighbors know that this will be the only time they'll have to preview the home before you go public, and it may be the only chance they'll get to pick their new neighbor.  This will create a positive synergy that might get your listing sold and fast!   It will also bring together the neighborhood unlike the way that fire trucks or ambulances do.  This also gives you an opportunity to meet the neighbors, a chance to follow up with their thoughts, create a friendly and non-threatening environment, and grow your business and relationships in the areas you want to sell Real Estate.

                                               

That's right!  The 40 people who want more $$$$ for your listing than your seller does, are the neighbors!  If you feel that this is NOT a value to you, your business, and the neighborhood, then let me know, but don't "knock" it till you try it.  I challenge you to try this on your next Listing and see if I'm correct! 

Your first visit to the neighbors is the invitation. Your second visit is to follow-up with discussions on price, comments and thoughts.  Your third visit is to let them know you are available to help them buy and sell as well, and then start asking for referrals.  Your fourth visit is a "Thank You" card either mailed of hand delivered. Your fifth visit is hopefully getting the contract signed and putting a sign in the yard.  

What better way to build a database than to have the people in the neighborhood that want the highest offer for your clients home?  Now because you priced it right and it sells, guess who they'll want to sell their home?  Of course this is hard work and takes some time, but you have plenty of that right?  I mean there you are, sitting reading this Blog….uh huh…exactly! 

Did you notice I never used the words "Open House?"  Just thinking outside the "Just Listed" box here.  I know the TAX man wants you to get more for your listings too!  That'll be another post, another time! 🙂

Content Copyright Protected © 2008 – Brad Andersohn                   The Rest of My Blog

 

NEW MEMBERS – Start Here

Welcome Active Rain New Members & Invited Guests – If you are looking to Active Rain as a place to get rich quick, or just score points, you’re in the wrong spot.  However, if you’re looking to surround yourself with incredible knowledge, experienced professionals, worthy relationships, industry support, and marketing ideas to grow your business and better your Blogging skills, you’ve landed in the BEST spot on planet earth. 

For months now, I have been welcoming “New Members” by adding links in your comments, and a welcome message to your “Very First Post” here on Active Rain.  Now, I still welcome you, and just include a link to this post. 🙂

As a new member to Active Rain, I’m inviting you to join me on a journey which will hopefully guide you through our Active Rain “Land and Community.”
I have spent numerous hours creating posts for other friends, members, and invited guests to help them speed up the “learning & success” process here.   My advice, take your time, get yourself set-up properly, and then enjoy the many benefits and privileges of being an Active Rain Member.

Please understand that there are a ton of helpful posts by many members here on AR, and this is no substitute for all the great stuff you will find here.  The intent of this post is to guide you through the set-up process, take you on a guided tour of some helpful and “Value-Added” posts and sites, simplify your learning curve, and minimize the time it takes to get you up and running with your Blog on Active Rain.  Let’s begin step by step….

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

The first step is to make sure your Profile Page is setup properly.  Your profile page on Active Rain is your personal web page within the community.  This is the place members and visitors will go to find out more about you, your business, services, products offered, and your experience. #1 How To Set-up Your Active Rain Profile, #2 How To Complete Your Active Rain Profile – Part II and #3 Your Active Rain Profile – Your Masterpiece  (also see Active Rain New Members – Getting Started )

NOW START HERE:

You’ll want to be sure that all your “settings” in Active Rain are set to your specifications, and getting you the maximum results for your time and efforts here. This post covers all the settings options available on your personal settings page. How To Use Your “My Settings” Page  &  Active Rain Settings & SEO Benefits

THE NEXT STEP:

This next post is a compilation, which will give you some great links, ideas, and resources to really kick-off your Blog, and possibly answer some of the many questions you may have at this point.  The Bloggers Start-Up Kit is FREE for you to use and refer to when needed.  You will find many of these links and this information posted there.  Blogger Startup Kit

ADDING ASSOCIATES and SUBSCRIBING: 

Adding associates and subscribing to their Blog is what keeps Active Rain alive and thriving.  It’s another big part of the relationship building process here.  There are a couple things to know about when doing this.
So You’ve Added Me as an Associate 

BEING THE FEATURED AGENT ON ACTIVE RAIN: 

You are now ready to go to the next level with your Active Rain Blogging experience!  Many new members want to know how to get to the coveted “Featured Member” status in their geographic areas.  There is an easy explanation of how to do this, and yes, it can be you.  You will get out of this community as much, and even more than you put into it.  Here’s how.
Do You Want to be the “Featured Member” in your Area

OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE HERE ON ACTIVE RAIN:

How do I know if anyone is reading my Blog and why should I care? 
Who’s Reading Your Blog – 3 Ways To Find Out

We all have to learn by our mistakes, but sometimes, can we learn by others?  7 Mistakes to Avoid on Active Rain

What makes a good post on my Blog?  Is there a formula? 
5 Principles to Creating an Effective Post

What do I need to know to keep from getting frustrated here? 
Warning ALL Active Rain Members – You Can’t Go Back

MARKETING AND FARMING YOUR BLOG:

All of us started here just as you have, learning as we go, advancing by trial and error, and gathering data from others to try and be more successful in our attempt to grow business, build referrals, and establish relationships.  Here’s a post that will help you market your Blog more effectively, instead of just waiting for someone to hopefully find it by a Google “Keyword” search, or through osmosis and luck.  Marketing and Farming Your Blog

TOOLS FOR YOU TO USE: 

Is there something I should know before I begin my Blog? 
Successful Blogging in the Real Estate Industry

Why would I want to use or include Video on my Blog or in my posts? 
Video and Your Blog – See Future Technology

What does Google have to offer me, my Blog, and my business for FREE? 
20 Google Tools for Your Business

Where do I find cool photos, graphic, clip-art, and stuff for my Blog? 
FREE Photos and Graphics and Clip-Art

What is a widget, and how do I add them to my Blog or sidebar? 
Widgets: How to Add Them to Your Blog

How do I keep up with the stuff I want to know more about? 
Staying “Alerted”

How do I use my Statistics Page on Active Rain and why? 
Using your Active Rain Statistics Page to Improve Your Blog

How can I create custom maps for my website or Blog? 
New Tools for Your BLOG – Customized Mapping

I’m a REALTOR®, can I add my Listings to Active Rain? If so, where and how?
Activerain MLS On-line

JOINING ACTIVE RAIN GROUPS:

There are over 3000 Groups here on Active Rain.  This area is entirely up to you as far as which ones to join.  I suggest you take an hour, look through them all, and determine which ones will benefit you most.  As you create posts on Active Rain, you’ll want to add them to “Topic Related” groups, so choose wisely.  Please DO NOT add your posts to groups if they are not ON TOPIC for that group. 

Here’s a couple groups I recommend if you’re new here, and looking for some places to hang out and learn while starting your adventure here.  You can search ALL GROUPS, just click here.  You can also create your own GROUP by CLICKING HERE, but please do a thorough SEARCH first, chances are, that group may already exist!

Active Rain Newbies,  Blogging Etiquette 101,   The Art Of Marketing You,    Practice Here!,  Blogging & SEO

SEARCHING ACTIVE RAIN:

You may want to search for others you know here, maybe some specific topics, keywords,  or even a particular Blog or post that may have the answers you’re looking for.  There are a few ways to do this more efficiently and more affectively.  Finding What You Need – The Ultimate Search!

QUESTIONS YOU MAY STILL HAVE:

What is all the Fuss about Blogging, I have a website already. 
Should You Have A Blog or a Website

My Blog is great for the Cyber World, how does in benefit me in the Real World?   Your Blog in the REAL World

Which program is the best to build my database of clients? 
How Important is your Database? Think Inside the Box

Is there a tool that allows visitors to search just my Website or Blog? 
Do You Want Visitors Searching Your Blog

WHAT DOES “PAYING IT FORWARD” MEAN ON ACTIVE RAIN? 

Paying it forward is a term you will see used frequently here on AR.  It simply means to “Pay Forward” a kind deed or gesture to another member or person as you see fit.  It’s like paying the toll bridge fee for the person in the car behind you.  They in turn pay for the person behind them, and so on, and so on.  It’s a great way to give back to a community that gives so much to you.  It’s OK to take from the “rain”, but you must also be willing to give back, or “Pay it Forward” from time to time.  Paying It Forward, Active Rain Style

LASTLY, OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL: 

FLOCK – The “New” Social Web Browser

Open Houses – The Controversy

REALTOR® – The Way It Should Be

Active Rain | A Referral Network & Business Goldmine

FINALLY – You are ready to be cut loose and set FREE to roam around the Active Rain Country, but before you go, I’ve started an AR Birthday Calendar,  so can you please click on the link below and enter your birthday?

ENTER YOUR BIRTHDAY HERE        

It’s not that we need to know how old you are, it’s that when your birthday comes, we want to do something special for you.  Members are important, and sharing that special day is just my way of having an excuse and good reason for “PARTY TIME” with you!!  🙂

Good luck to you in all your endeavors here, I hope that you’ll get as much out of this place as the rest of us members have.  This truly is the one and only place that you’ll find yourself coming back to, time and time again.  To find other informative posts here, just search the keywords, “Active Rain Community Support”, or just CLICK HERE!

Don’t be overwhelmed, give yourself 2 weeks to get through this post, and all the links and information here!  It took an entire year in the making! 🙂

Content Copyright Protected © 2008     

Active Rain Interview – "Live" on TBWS – Video Killed The Newsletter

 

Today I am celebrating my "One Year Anniversary" at Active Rain. I thought this would be a great post for the occasion.  WOW!  Where has the time gone, and what do I have to show for it?  Honestly, more than you could ever know!!  🙂

Yesterday, I was contacted by TBWS here on the West Coast.  They called me at 6:00am in the morning, and asked if I would come down to their office and do a "Live Video" interview.  Frank Garay, one of the owners, wants me to come in and talk about "Networking" and more importantly, Active Rain.  Frank says I'll be "live" for the video feed, and he'll be patching in another Active Rain member from Indiana.  This will be my first "Debut" talking about and endorsing Active Rain.  

So I started to think of all the things that I love and wanted to share about AR.  The social networking, the referrals, the friendships, the SEO, the groups, the information, the experience, the knowledge, the tools, and ideas, the points, the gossip, the games, the news, the technology, the industry updates, tips, tricks, techniques, the success stories, the motivation, the inspirations, the ads, the on-line marketing, the listings, the virtual tours, the addictions, the interesting people, and Oh Yeah….the business I have generated from being a member here.

 

I know what Active Rain has done for me, my business, my community, my writing, and my relationships, but the question I have is, what has it done for you?  What is it that keeps you coming back time and time again?  Why did you join Active Rain, and if you are still here, what is the reason?  That's what I am looking to provide at this interview next week. 

I want to share not only my perspective and opinions, but yours too!  Having your comments and thoughts will make this interview much more interesting and impressive.  Why would any Industry Professional want to be a member here on Active Rain?  I hope to make it clear! 

I also plan on discussing one of the greatest values here on Active Rain, and that's the member support I see constantly and consistently.  People always helping people!  We built this City and it will continue to grow.  So as I gather my thoughts, and put it all down on paper for this 5 minute interview, tell me, what's in it for YOU?  What's the most important reason you keep coming back?  I know my story, but what's yours?  The last thing Frank said to me was, "Video Killed The Newsletter!" l liked that title!   🙂

 

 

Thanks for your help with this.  I am honored and proud to be a member and represent the "Largest Real Estate Industry On-line Network of Professionals" in the Country and the World.  

 

Content Copyright Protected © 2008 – Brad Andersohn                   The Rest of My Blog

Your Blog – Is it Unwritten?

I have heard in my online travels that writers, authors and even Bloggers can get writers block. I have also noticed that thousands of Bloggers have joined us here in the “Rain” and have not written their first post. Can I ask why you joined? Was it to try and gain knowledge about the industry? Was it because of a compulsive (must join) behavior you might have? Maybe you are just afraid of what people will think when you write, so you’re holding back and keeping your Blog Unwritten.

Here’s a video that addresses those writers and bloggers who either have a block, or are just afraid to write for fear of others opinions. I have included the words on this post. I wanted to see if I could inspire other writers to “dive into the rain” and get beyond their inhibitions or fears. There is always something to write about or an experience to share. In Blogging, it’s ok to learn from your mistakes, it’s the only way you can grow. Take a look at any Blogger here, and view their very first post. Then read their most recent, and you will see exactly what I am talking about.

UNWRITTEN

Verse:
“I am unwritten, can’t read my mind, I’m undefined. I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned. Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find. Reaching for something in the distance, So close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions…

Chorus:
Feel the rain on your skin, No one else can feel it for you, Only you can let it in, No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips, Drench yourself in words unspoken, Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book Blog begins , The rest is still unwritten…

Verse:
I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines. We’ve been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can’t live that way. Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find. Reaching for something in the distance, So close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions…

A special thanks to Natasha Bedingfield for performing and inspiring others with this song. It’s not easy to take that first step, but writing generates comments, comments create thoughts and generate discussions, and discussions create ideas for writing about. It comes full circle, but you just have to start! Your Blog needs YOU. I think this song and the words might just give you the push you need to go to the next level. Not everyone is meant to write. Not everyone is an author or a can be a Blogger, but unless you begin, the rest will be unwritten…

Content Copyright Protected © 2008 – Brad Andersohn The Rest of My Blog

Active Rain Dinner – Ends In Marriage Proposal

Tuesday night of this week, a few of us AR members got the chance to meet up with Active Rains very own Jonathan Washburn and Bob Stewart as they were passing through San Francisco, California.  We met at a place called Cafe Tirimisu for some really good food, fun, and Vino.  It was really cool getting to meet a few of the folks who showed up to enjoy and partake in the evening with us. 

I finally got to meet Bob Stewart and Ginger Wilcox who I feel like I’ve already known forever.  We’ve talked on the phone at times, even commented to each other on our Blogs, but meeting in person is really the coolest part of the whole Active Rain experience.  There’s something special about finally meeting another AR member that I just can’t put into words.  It seems that every time I meet someone from AR in person, there’s already an invisible bond or “code of respect” that exists, and then the relationship just gets stronger and now means so much more.  

Who else was there?  I was fortunate to get our waiter to take this photo of us outside the cafe after dinner.  I promised I’d share this photo here!

Me, Mary Pope-Handy, Dionne Morgan, Cindy Lin, Bob Stewart, Janet Guilbault, Mike Mueller, Jonathan Washburn, Ginger Wilcox.

I just have to share this little tid-bit here.  When someone at the dinner table asked Bob Stewart his role at Active Rain Corp, his response was that he’s the community builder for this great social network that we all love!  OK, are you ready?  Here it comes…I never said it out loud, but now I will always see you my friend as “Bob The Builder”…you knew it was coming Bob!!!  LOL!~   I just had to share that…..sorry.  🙂

While sitting at the dinner table discussing a wide variety of topics and musings, the gentleman sitting right next to me at the adjacent table, stood up, said excuse me to Janet Gilbault, and I quote, “I need to get in here” as he semi nuzzled her out of the way.  Then he repeated, “Excuse me, I really need to get in here” as Janet moved from his pathway and he squeezed between our tables.  He drops down onto one knee, pulls out the little black box, and begins  proposing.  I hear the words, “Will You Marry Me?”  Just FYI, he was not talking to Janet or Bob Stewart.  I couldn’t believe this was happening right next to me, I’ve only seen this kinda stuff on TV, but since I had the camera…well…you know me, I just started clicking away.

I found out that Pax Smith was the gentleman’s name, so I gave him my card and told him to contact me so I could email him the photos of his “special moment.”  Little did Pax know, he was sitting next to a table of Active Rain Bloggers, so before I send him these photos, I thought sending him a link to this post might even be more special.  I hope he won’t mind that I shared this with all of you here on Active Rain.  I thought I’d let some comments build up before I send him this link.  We wish Pax and his “Wife To Be” all the very Best!
    

So here’s to you Pax and to your beautiful new Fiancée.  This moment captured on film can never be re-lived or taken back and re-done, but it will always be remembered and special.  I hope these photos will remind you of that special night in San Francisco, and always bring a smile to your faces knowing that the complete strangers sitting next to you were very touched by your proposal that evening.  My gift to you both is this post, these photos, and if you look around here on Active Rain, you’ll find over 70,000 people here who would love to help you and your lady with the process of finding that next home you’ll be buying soon to start your wonderful “new” family!  We represent the entire Country here, so you’re in good hands.   Just click here to roam about the country.

Congratulations to Pax Smith and his Fiancée, and “thank you” to Active Rain and the other members for a wonderful and memorable evening that will be etched in our memories forever.  It really was a special night for us all!  A very special “Happy Valentine’s Day” to each of you and especially to Pax and his new Fiancée.     

                  

EDIT 1: See Ginger Wilcox’s Featured Post about This Dinner Event

EDIT 2: CUSTOM CREATED MARRIAGE PROPOSAL VIDEO

EDIT 3:  The Comment Response from Pax

Hello Brad and the whole Active Rain dinner party!

WOW! What an incredible and overwhelming response! Tiffany and I, want to thank each and everyone of you for your well wishes and offerings of luck. It was a fantastic evening made even more so, by the emotional support offered to us by strangers who each, in their own way provided and are still providing love and memories that we will forever carry with us.

Thank You All!

And when we start the search for a new home we know the people to whom we’ll turn.

James Pax Smith

EDIT 4:  The Comment Response from Tiffany

To the active rain crew,

Thank you so much for being there at our special moment on Tuesday night. The photos and video montage are more that Pax & I both could ever ask for! I haven’t been able to stop grinning since it happened, and I know I’ll always be able to look back at the photos and re-live the happy night! I’m the luckiest gal in the world!

Future Mrs. Pax Smith  (Tiffany)

Content Copyright Protected © 2008 – Brad Andersohn 

10,000 Blog Comments

A picture tells a thousand stories. Well these pictures tell 10,000 stories. I was going to write each of you a personal thank you letter or an email, but when I realized how many of you read and comment on my Blog, I had second thoughts! LOL!~ Seriously though, My Blog hit 10,000 comments this week, and they were all made by you, my subscribers.

I wanted to say “Thank You” to each of you for subscribing to my Blog, reading my posts, and taking the time to comment as you all have so faithfully this past year. (March will be my one year anniversary here at AR) I hope you’ll look for your photo here, (I know you will…LOL), then come back and read these two words, again… THANK YOU!!!

I look at my Blog much differently now, than when I started it. Active Rain is so much more than just my Social Network. All these members are my on-line family and friends. I have added each of your photos to this post in YOUR honor, yes YOU!! I wanted you to know that I sincerely appreciate each of you, and will never take for granted, your friendships and your thousands of comments. They have helped me in so many ways and brought credibility to my Blog.

My goal is to continue to write valuable and useful content for you this year. My commitment is to creating posts that will either help you with Blogging, Marketing, Technology or Your Business. Slipping in of course, just some plain and simple musings and entertainment on occasion! 🙂

So instead of sending each of you a video card, or a personalized email thanking you, I hope you’ll accept this post as my humble and thankful acknowledgment of you as a subscriber to my Blog. In the two days it has taken me to create this post, I probably could have, and should have, just written each of you an email! (LOL!) My Warmest regards to you all, and Thank you once again! 🙂

By the way, if you do subscribe to my Blog, but you haven’t uploaded your photo on AR yet, I apologize, I have removed all the generic “Shadow Images” from this post. I hope you’ll go back into your profile and add your photo soon. I really do appreciate the photoless members and friends here too!

Content Copyright Protected © 2008      

Active Rain Inspires Member's New Book

 

When I first started on Active Rain, I had just watched "The Secret" with my wife, sons, and co-workers.  I had decided to start trying to implement the concepts, and begin visualizing my first book.  I really wasn't sure which of the many ideas I was going to run with.  A few days later, I discovered Active Rain, wondering if somehow, it might have had something to do with me being drawn here by the World's energy, forces and power.  (WOW, That movie must have really had an impact on me) LOL!  Little did I know that the first book I'd put into print would come from my own story of adversity, and that it would be about the help and support that came from other Active Rain Members, Associates, Clients and Friends.

For those of you who don't know our story, (I think everyone already does) I had written a post called "Overcoming Adversity, Change, and Life's Challenges", a story about our personal journey the first three days of this New Year.  It was one of the craziest New Year's of my life!!  This post not only helped me through it, but my family and many others were affected by it too.  I recall saying in one of my comments, that a co-worker had printed out the entire post and comments, and she was taking it to share with her husband and her friend.  I remember also commenting that I should make a book. Hmmm…..

Just a few days later, our adversity, change, and challenges had "Miraculously" shifted direction, with a new, and very positive outcome.  I posted "The Rest of Our Story" so that friends and members could be updated, and so others might learn from some of the same powerful lessons that we did.  The comments and support here were over-whelming.  I really felt that maybe I should create a book to share with others who may not know about, or read my Blog.  It might help them, like it did us.

 

 

Well Today, I have in my hands, the very first copy of the book entitled, "Overcoming Adversity, Change & Life's Challenges." I have combined both my posts and your comments, bound them with a back and cover, and I now have completed my very first book.  Looking back on my thoughts after watching "The Secret", I'm wondering how true and real the content in that movie was.  After all, I was thinking and visualizing about writing a book.  Funny, but I think this was all part of the "Great Master Plan" by someone way more powerful than I.  Today,I'm truly thankful for this experience, the understanding of it all now, and for the positive outcome the whole thing had on myself and others. 

Now, I plan to read my own book every time I run into any circumstance that makes me feel I am losing control, or losing track of my focus, my goals, my family or my purpose! (Truly A Self-Help Book) LOL!~  When I read my story, it's amazing to me that we all got through it ok.  It's mind boggling how much support and love that came from an on-line community of social networking professionals, that I now call my friends and family.  We really hope to share our story with others who may be going through a similar crisis, or any type of adversity.  There is power in people, power in positive thinking, great power in the Active Rain community, but the highest and greatest power of all is your faith in GOD and your trust in his people!  

This is the first book that I'm aware of to come out of the Active Rain Community, and I know it won't be the last.  It is all thanks to YOU!  The AR Community helped me write this book.  You don't need to purchase my book, the links are already included in this post.  The book is not for selling, it is for giving.  It will be our way of giving back to those that we can help, and "Pay It Forward".  This book has been dedicated to Active Rain and it's members, and also to my family and friends here.  We are looking forward to sharing our story with others who want to see how it really is possible to "Overcome Adversity, Change, and Life's Challenges."

 

Content Copyright Protected © 2008 – The Escrow Guy