Archive for August, 2007
11+1 More Characters Playing in the Real Estate “Active Rain” Forest (the real estate professionals’ blogdom)
Here’s an interview Terry did with Dr. John Yacenda (a psychologist who also has a Nevada real estate license). We share this as a tribute to the great real estate professionals in the United States who really care about people!
Q. - You’ve had a month or so to study the responses to your 12 characters, and what did you learn?
A. - The overwhelmingly positive response to those 12 characters I outlined was proof positive that Active Rain is truly an engaging and well-invested network of real estate professionals.
Q. - I noticed there were a number of suggestions for new characters. In fact, Karen Hurst wrote: “I think you could reasonably add another 12 characters!”
A. – I actually found 11 +1 more characters from among the comments by your colleagues.
Q. 11 +1 what’s that? Let’s see the latest, and please credit the people who suggested the characters.
A. - Yes, Sweetheart, and by article’s end you’ll see the meaning of the +1. I’ll follow the same “brief description” format as the original list of the 12 different “personalities” or characters playing in the “Rain Forest” night after night.
Go ahead; I’m sure you’ll touch a few hearts!
A. You’re giving me the go ahead…so here I go.13. The Know-it-All Character (Chuck Christensen) and his/her cousin the Know-it-All who knows all the characters in the Rain Forest (Lizette Fitzpatrick) - This character really does know a lot (honestly), but he or she takes the proverbial snapshot and in it sees the universe. This character equates knowing something with knowing something about everything! And the Know-it-All’s cousin is fooling him or herself if he or she believes anyone could actually know all the characters in the Rain Forest. Can’t be done - even these descriptions are all speculation fueled only by the validation offered by the “Rain Gang” who’ve responded to blog posts.
14. The Blogging Cop (Bob Mitchell) - This character is clearly the Supreme Court Jester of the Rain Forest because this character will observe all the debate and discussion, weighing in only sparingly, and provide a show-stopping knock-out blow to the proud pronouncements of any Provost Characters trying to “steal the show” (cops don’t like thieves).
15. Hang Gliders and Parachutists (Brian Schulman) - These characters are very much like Socialites, but they happen upon blogs accidentally, often crash landing on a post or blog site, embarrassingly offering ”excuse me” comments that make little sense to anyone reading the blog post.
16. A Character - in general (Neal Bloom) - This was a curious one as it may apply to only Neal (The Real Deal) himself, definitely a Weston Florida character with his own unique and candid style and affability.
17. Avid Student - learning from all the tidbits of wisdom (Sharon Leigh) - You’re on, Sharon, the perfect contrast to the Student Character previously discussed who is constantly looking for help and comfort after a rotten day or experience. The Avid Student Character is a genuine reader and student of the Rain Rag (i.e., news posts)!
18. The Chameleon - multiple personalities (Donna Harris and Michele Connors) - Now we’re onto something really fun: Let’s talk multiple personality disorder; no, let’s talk bipolar; no let’s talk schizophrenic - no, let’s not spoil the fun of getting wet in the Rain. This character won’t accept a diagnosis, because he or she is focused on simply blending in with the crowd - ANY CROWD - and just think how valuable this is in the Rain Forest!
19. True Skimmer - watch out for the Lady in Red (Teri Ellis) - You get a character, Teri, because yes, there are a lot of skimmers out in the wetlands. It’s good to know my Terry hooked you while you were swimming by the post.
20. Compassionate (Diane Velikis) - This Character epitomizes true love and understanding for the matters, hearts, souls, and lives at hand. This Compassionate Character is found often on AR’s Christianity in Real Estate and Selling Soulfully, and you can identify the Character’s presence in any AR community by his or her sincerity - IT SHOWS IN THE DEPTH OF THEIR COMMENTS! (And by the way, Diane expresses depth in her comments!)
21. Building My Web Presence (Laura Warden) - I believe this Character really exists, but as a morphing of the Socialite and the Joiner, with a touch of the It’s Me Character. This character’s distinguishing trait is his or her point totals for comments made on others’ blogs. Clue: if your comments on others’ blog posts exceed the points you earn writing your own blog posts…then maybe this Character fits (even if some slight alterations are needed)!
22. Point Seekers (Jay Emerson) - Ever had a dog named Pointer? This is a fond name for retrievers who are bred to point. I think Jay’s on to something mighty important…to odds makers. In the Rain Game, your points tell an interesting story about you. Do you comment more on other’s posts than they do on yours? Do you write more posts than you read, or read more posts than you write? Do you hook-up with a lot of Associates. All of these are point seeking behaviors, but the critical distinguishing factor in the Point Seeker Character is motive: why the post, why the comment? If you’re attempting to fertilize the Rain’s Terra Firma with edifying comments and posts this title does not apply. If you’re simply a Socialite gathering points, then wear this distinction with pride - it’s what point-seeking Socialites do!
23. Cartoonish Characters (Bill Burress) - TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR - let me explain. Bill’s comments inspired us to look into what these Characters might look like in the flesh of a cartoonist’s hand. Don’t be expecting a comic book, but as a blanket challenge TO ALL YOU CHARACTERS RIGHT NOW, imagine what these DIFFERENT Characters might look like by reading the descriptions that fit you, AS YOU STARE AT YOUR AR PROFILE PHOTO or in the mirror. Please, no hate mail…I get enough.
23 +1. Carnac “Under the Umbrella” (Chris Tesch) - Johnny Carson fans will remember Carnac the Magnificent. Chris hinted that I might be a Carnac in the making (how flattering - ego now burp), but there’s no psychic gag writers here. I think of my role as more of Carnac Under the Umbrella - a loving husband, a lover of the Lord, and a licensed professional who loves to play in the Rain and not get too wet.
Hope you enjoy the shower!
These Ladies Mean Business - Episode Six
The following blog was written to Realtors, but it is certainly for the public consumer of real estate services as well!
This is a tough business at times, increasingly so when foreclosure enters a person’s life and not much else seems to be working.
“Mom,” Sarah (my daughter and real estate business partner) says pointing to the floor, “Those are the coroner’s gloves!”
I look across the room at the fluid- and blood-stained carpet and catch a glance of the scene that had played out a couple of days earlier.
The occupant of the house had lost his home to the bank, and had been moving out for several days. Most of the large items were removed, but strewn about the house were books, clothing, shoes, personal items, memorabilia, and assorted clutter. Ironically, the books were largely Christian, with a broad range of themes, but something awful had set upon the house.
Charles (a fictitious name) had days earlier decided to take his life, and following the coroner’s office, we were the first to enter the home. Charles had no one else in his life. He had hung on as long as he could to his home, but a lost job and other hardships had intervened, and he was losing everything.
My Dr. John felt Charles’ suicide was the last thing he could do that he felt he had control over. Charles it seems had indeed lost every worldly thing of value to him, and a violent suicide seemed the most expedient way to end the tragedy of his life.
Of course, I don’t know if he would have faired any better had he not lost his house to foreclosure; no one can know for sure, but his death was a stark reminder of just how emotionally vulnerable our clients can be when life closes in on them and they lose their stability.
As Realtors, Sarah and I left the scene, not in shock, but in sorrow over what had happened because it seemed so senseless, and we also left the scene wondering about our industry.
Are real estate deals and sales and purchases gone bad our fault as Realtors? No, I don’t think they are, but do we listen when we hear the cries of our clients when they are approaching dangerous territory? And, should we, or must we listen?
These are perplexing questions, even when we know the outcomes many of our clients face have nothing to do with us. Still, the outcomes can leave us with indelible memories whether we’re a part of the cause or not.
So what’s the message from These Ladies Who Mean Business? I guess it’s a pretty simple message: where there’s smoke there’s fire. When your former client reaches out to you for advice on the market, asks if it’s a good time to sell, is struggling with a divorce or family tragedy, is having obvious financial problems, and seeks your ideas…LISTEN. We all get busy…very busy, but I believe we need to listen to both the tears and words of desperation, and to that still so quiet voice within us.
We, as Realtors, are not every client’s safety net, but we are in a keen situation to often see the smoke before the flames! We may not be able to stop our clients from self-destructive behaviors, but we ought to consider the possibility that we might be able to alter the ultimate outcome. Given our specialized real estate and lending knowledge and training, maybe we can recognize the need to alert others that we suspect intervention is needed — beyond what we can do. Maybe?
Think about this….
