Today I had the pleasure of meeting a really nice couple. They had looked at a house with the listing agent, and when they learned about representation, they decided it was time to get a buyer's agent.
From what they told me, they spent a lot of time reading websites, trying to get a feel for what the different licensees in our area were like. 
Then they read my blog, and started to see me as a real person.
Now I'd heard about this happening to other people and it's even happened to me a few times, but somehow this really meant a lot to me.
We met at the house they really thought they wanted to buy. They did get there before me and had walked around the exterior of the home. They did find a few suspicious things, so when I got there we investigated more thoroughly.
Sometimes I'm glad when I wear jeans! We did go in the crawlspace (Yeah, I know. But we did)
While with some work it could qualify for VA financing, we found some significant issues. I really did not feel comfortable having them purchase a home in need of so much work. We returned to the office where I printed off about a dozen home listings. Notes were made about the ones I'd seen and they are going to spend some time narrowing things down a bit. I made notes of the ones that were my listings, so that representation was clear.
I'm especially honored that these young people, both military veterans, find the right house.
Nice people, prequalified, ready to buy, motivated and friendly. I couldn't ask for anything more.
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I Sell Alaska! Serving Southeast Alaska since 1999
Gardening tasks for December in Southeast Alaska
Everything I ever need to know about customer service, I learned from my dentist! (Part Three)
Everything I ever need to know about customer service, I learned from my dentist! (Part Two)
Everything I ever need to know about customer service, I learned from my dentist! (Part One)
Because we are such good friends…
Late October 2007 Update - not quite as scary as Halloween!
Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association
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Good for you Debbie, Thats awesome! Its nice to see people really do read our blogs, etc.
Excellent... these blogs do work wonders for getting our names in front of consumers. I'm sure the buyers are glad they found you. Ready, willing and able is what it's all about, huh? Nice job!
Thats awesome congrats.
Hi, Debbie - You're the first offical Featured Post in the Alaska - Real Estate in the Last Frontier Group. (Welcome message doesn't really count) Thanks for joining!
Great share! Always excited by a success story.
All the best,
Audrey
Hi Audrey,
Congratulations. That is so cool. It's funny how you hear it happen to others but what a great compliment to hear it personally. kudos to you :)
Richard - It's even better when it's nice ones!
Jesse & Kathy - I get the idea they are going to be dream clients (knock on wood!)
Ki - Thanks!
Jesse & Kathy - Thanks!
Audrey - They are truly nice people. I am humbled.
Christina - It had happened before, but for some reason this seemed different. In a good way!
Wonderful, I hope that the same thing happens to me. I am trying to write more blogs and learn from people on activerain. People like you are inspirational giving me the confidence I need. Thanks.
Congrats! More I learn about Active Rain, the more I like it!
Now time to get some sleep and do some work tomorrow!
I look forward to the day I get a contact from someone who has seen my blog or profile here- sounds great.
Been bloging for about three weeks. Talking to a client last night (it was a follow up lead from another LO that could not get the client commited) I spend about 1/2 hour with her (very sharp person) and she finally says your the Tony with the Blog. While it does not happen much I was taken back.
She did a search for our company and found a link to my blog. ONe thing leads to another and while it is not a big deal for us it is a happy client that I will be able to refinance and eliminate a HELOC.
Happy Selling!
Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Broker
Congratulations! It feels great when people read what we write. A blog is a wonderful way for people to get to know you even before they meet you
Great job. I can see myself crawling in there too as long as I was dressed for the occasion too. Generally, I'm not but I carry a pair of flats in my trunk in case of emergencies.
May the good karma spread. I am actively blogging and posting those blogs to my site available on RSS as well.
And you have it going on! They read your blog...they're ready to go. Good luck!
Debbie:
It is great to know that there are both Buyers and Sellers out there looking for and expecting more of their Agents. I just glanced at your Blog and have to say the "Nothing in the Box - Men vs Women" was truly funny. I have often wondered about putting something like that on my website or even just giving people more information about me that does not pertain to Real Estate. I'm glad to see that your "human" side has attracted more clients.
Way to go!
Jeff - I'm happy to share. After all, posts like this were how I got the confidence! Keep writing. Eventually you will find your voice.
Johnny- You were up late. I hope you got some sleep! You cannot take care of everyone else if you don't take care of yourself.
Debra - Keep up the good work on those listings (I'd love to know how to format them like that!). I keep trying to call you Julie. You look a lot like someone here in Juneau!
Tony - With cute boys like those on the front page, who could resist? Mine are about grown so I doubt it would have the same effect (well, maybe with the young girls, LOL!)
Congratulations! It's reassuring and motivating when I hear that people do read our blogs. But then I have to remember to be on my best behavior, because someone's actually reading!!:)
Congratulations! Blogging does lead to new prospects and when they have read about you already the ice is broken. I picked up a new client this weekend who found my blog!
Jill - It's the quality of the leads. You no longer have to sell who you are. That's the difference. Hope all is well in the Houston area. Hey, I leave Friday to go on a cruise with the in laws and Uncle Dave & Aunt Mary from Houston! Yikes, no AR for a week.
Latonia - Fortunately jeans are the outfit of the day more often than not in this part off the country! I hope to see Ft. Bragg someday. My uncle Jim was stationed there after he returned from the war. I've got one uncle and a cousin in that area.
Vickie - I need to learn how to do the RSS thingy... maybe we could trade ideas!
Sally - WooHoo :-) I learn from the best... (hint)
Lisa S - I was worried about getting a little too personal on my blog at first. Perhaps occasionally I do cross the line. But then again, I've found the people who read everything, then call, are the ones I get along with. I seem to be attracting more quality people. Keep up the good work and you will too.
Lisa B - It might take a bit more work in a larger city, because more people are blogging. But nobody seems to "get it" PS: I got hungry checking out the restaurant you featured. Good idea!
Cindy - I like the way you format your blogs, and I can see that your sense of humor, and no-nonsense attitude really shine through. I have to log off now, and get to work.
Everyone - WOW. I'm really humbled at the responses, and the quality of work I see on your own blogs. Hopefully tonight I'll be able to check out each and drop a few comments of my own. There are a few that had tricks on formatting, etc that I hope to learn so I hope you don't mind a few questions!
That is wonderful!
I love the line about how they started to see you as a person by reading your blog. WHAT WERE THE SEARCH WORDS that they were looking for when they "found" you???
Blogging definitely lets the consumer feel like they "know you". When they just call an office, there is no trust whatsoever with the agent answering the phone. Through a blog, you skip a lot of the stage where you get them to trust you.
Your blog was very encouraging...thank you.
Congrats. That is great news. I"ve gotten business off my personal blog, but not AR yet. All good things in all good time.
"Nice people, prequalified, ready to buy, motivated and friendly.".... This is truely the best kind!! Congratulations and good luck helping them find the home they are looking for!
Debbie, congratulations on a great success story. People are reading our blogs and some for longer than you think. I've had several such encounters with my blog readers and just had one contact me the other day who said she's been reading my blog for several months. We have an appointment on Sunday.
AR is worth the price of admission.
Yehhhhh, You go Debbie. I love everything about this network. (Well almost everything!!!)
If you're a looking for affordable 3D rendering for your development projects please visit my site www.cv3drendering.com
Debbie- {Bob Here} Congrats on your success. And many more. This is truly a terrific platform for creative people in our business and the more you contribute the better it gets. It's a win win. Best of luck.
Way to go girl. My clients are always in awe when I climb into a crawl space in high heels and slacks. But it's our job to make sure they get a good deal. I'm such a jeans girl
Debbie, congratulations!! On a great success story, getting featured and your work finally paying off. No doubt, this is a greatest place to learn, get motivated and have some fun too, I just love this place. I have been a member for about two years now but mainly looking and learning, I decided to be more active in the last two months and stories like yours definaly will keep me mortivated to stay active writing and participating.
Keep up the good work.
First and foremost ALWAYS be safe. I'm glad it worked for you. Congratulations..
Congrats on a great buyer lead, Debbie! The great thing about a well-written blog is that it's always there whenever a potential buyer or seller might want to 'meet' us. I hope we'll be reading about a successful closing soon.
Woah. I finally took a moment here late afternoon to log on. There I was on the front page! Wow. I know sometimes these features get points too, so even better, LOL
It's going to be late this evening before I can respond to all these. Once again, I love Active Rain!
Hi Debbie - This is an awesome story! Congratulations on the business AND your feature!
Debbie, congratulations on the sale. Clients really do think they know you before they meet you.
Way to go Debbie. I love to hear ActiveRain success stories. I hope you have many more.
This is great. Keep it up. All the best. Keep blogging.
Good job, Debbie. I have never gone in a crawlspace - you are a better man than I!
Debbie - Congratulations! Good people deserve a good REALTOR.
Best Wishes,
Kelsie
www.TriangleChoiceRealty.com
Rick - Yes. Wonderful. I love that word!
Ben - I didn't ask for the exact phrase, but I do well with "Juneau AK Real Estate", "Juneau Real Estate", "Juneau Real Estate Agent", "Juneau Realty", "Juneau RE/MAX", "RE/MAX of Juneau", etc. I'm working on a few other keywords, but I'm happy with my G results for those.
Eliese - You've got that right. Most people don't even try the office. They just call my cell!
Jacqueline - Thank you! I remember being encouraged by similar posts. Remember to pass it on when your turn comes. Hey - how did you get a photo of my BBQ on your blog? LOL.
Karl - I see you have a blog with a link that threatens to steal my whole evening. I'll read that later!
Kim - Thanks! I look forward to posting an update soon!
Brian - Thanks - I did get your email. I will work on that later tonight or tomorrow. We leave town Friday for 10 days so you know what's happened to me...
Michael - Did you mean something unkind with that? It's worth so much more.
Mana - What's not to love? Hey, can you teach me how to do the welcome mat thing?
Alek - Thanks for stopping by. You have a typo on your profile. Learn, and experience Active Rain!
Bob - Well, I could learn from you. I think I'd choose Westwood if I were moving to your area. Nice blog!
Tracy - You wouldn't have wanted to get into this crawl space in heels. But oh well, the vapor barrier was already compromised so I guess it wouldn't have hurt the crawlspace. I wouldn't take your best shoes though. It wasn't a nice crawlspace.
Venancio - Thanks! Keep working at it!
Robert - Safety first for sure. Even the best life insurance cannot replace a mommy.
John - I hope so... I'll just have to stay away from that car show **drool***
Linda - Thanks! Features are still fun even without bonus points!
Kay - It was so strange not having the ackward "getting to know you" moments!
Wayne - I hope so too! In fact, I hope you get some. Lots even. Two for everyone.
Bob - Thanks.
Virginia - Um, okay. Thanks? Sorry I've always been a tomboy. In this part of the world that's a good thing!
Kelsie - Hi *waves* - My cousin is in Clinton, not too far from you!
Congratulations. I hope you find the right for them. Just another reason to keep posted and keep on keeping on!
Congrats! I love hearing about other agent's success stories here on activerain!
what a nice story about what buyer representation is all about. And good news to all of us that blog everyday.
That is great about gaining success from your blog! Stay warm up there in Juneau!
Christy - I just know we will find the right place.
Jonathan - I love hearing success stories too. Don't forget to post your own!
Terry - Representation is so key. I love good news too.
Emily - I will stay warm - especially today. I leave for a week's vacation tomorrow!