Nick Bastian - Tempe, AZ Real Estate Agent

The Phoenix Sun's are having a tweetup! How cool is that?!?! If I remember correctly, they said they are the first NBA team to do an event like this. Many people still don't have a clue as to what Twitter even means. With media outlets and sports teams jumping on the bandwagon, it probably won't be too long until we quit getting the funny looks when we talk about Twitter.

Before the game, Rail Life will do a pre-game tweetup before the real fun starts. I hope you can join us!

People can purchase tickets from the Sun's TweetUp page on their web site. Here, you will find more info such as:

• At 5 pm, we're all going to get access to the building early, before the general public, to watch players warm up from front row seats.
• Upon entry each of us is going to receive an exclusive Suns Twitter t-shirt we can wear throughout the game and a Suns player jersey bag.
• During the game we will all have seats in the same section - Twitterville - to get to know one another.
• After the game, we will all go down to the official Suns Practice Court to mingle and possibly even meet a surprise Suns personality.

The game will be played on Friday, January 16th against the Minnesota Timberwolves.It will also be one of the first few games where people can take Arizona's new light rail system to the arena. Recently, I got a chance to go for a test ride on the new light rail line and shot this quick video while we entered the arena district. As a sports fan, this is gonna be fun and will help with parking, traffic etc. Enjoy!

btw.. If you are not a Sun's fan, is your team nearly as cool as ours? I didn't think so!

Follow me @RailLife

The recent NAR convention reminded me that, it was about a year ago in Las Vegas at the time of the previous convention where I decided to get out and meet some of my peers in the "blogoverse." Active Rain is a great resource in learning new and effective ways to market yourself, your business and your properties. When I first got here, I was a "lurker" for quite some time. Interestingly, one of the first people I "clicked" with was Brad Andersohn. Some of you probably remember when Brad worked for a title company and (as he still does) gave so freely of his knowledge and of his time to this community. I quickly learned that, blogging and social networking was so much more than "pimping" listings. I'm not sure why, but I didn't really expect to find any real value in this "over hyped" type of networking. I had read about blogging but didn't have a real grasp of it's true meaning or usefulness. I did have an idea for a "hyper-local" niche but wanted to learn more and effective ways to take advantage of it. Heck, the term "hyper-local" didn't even have nearly the buzz as it does today but I knew we were on to something.

After "meeting" Brad on-line, I began to read more and more and would comment on an occasional post or (gasp) even try to write something once in a while. You see, in the beginning, my niche idea was going to be "just" a web site. We think it will be a really cool site (soon) but, bringing in the blog aspect to our project has been WAY more fun and successful than I could ever have imagined!

Here is kind of what has happened over the last year.

I decided to try and learn from the "best" bloggers and most knowledgeable people I could find. The following people have really been helpful to me or have been someone I have come to respect their work. (in no particular order) While there are others, I have personally met each one of these people and truly consider them friends. If you are new to blogging, you "need" to read all you can from each of these people. Heck, even if you are not new to blogging, you "need" to know these people. Following is a "small" list of some of the country's best bloggers that I can call my friend. I truly believe that I can pick up the phone and have a great conversation with each of these people at any given time. (more common to "talk" with them via Twitter or their blog though)

"Active" Brad Andersohn: I really enjoyed meeting Brad at the Inman Connect real Estate Conference in San Francisco. Brad has helped me on several occasions and I am grateful to call him my friend.

"Active" Rich Jacobson. Great guy, we had a chance to talk for quite some time at the "Blog World Convention" in Las Vegas recently. Rich gave me some great ideas on how to effectively use Localism. We will be implementing them in the very near future.

"The" Jeff Turner. One of those guys that really "gets it" when it comes to social networking. When Jeff talks about this stuff, it is really easy and beneficial to listen. Jeff and I have had some really great discussions here in Tempe, in Las Vegas and in San Francisco. We have had some fun and I appreciate all he does for so many people.

Ines Garcia. The Miamism.com blog absolutely rocks. They write about the community and show pictures that really make you feel like you want to live in their area. Serious, when I think Miami, I think of Rick and Ines Garcia. When I think of a friend that has done a great job branding a community, I look at the ways they do it in Miami.

Ok, this could get really long so, I'll just mention a few more of my faves that are my friends across the country and then some here in the valley.

Daniel Rothamel, the "Zebra" rocks the stripes! Also works with Inman News. He is a "big deal" with an amazing personality.

Dustin Luther, amazingly talented and brilliant! Ever heard of a little thing called Rain City Guide? Did I mention brilliant?

Todd Carpenter, a pioneer in the mortgage business and a blogging supah star.

Pat Kitano, another truly brilliant mind and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. You should participate in his knowledge packed sessions, they WILL help your business. Sign up for the series NOW!

Nicole and Reggie Nicolay, they know how to "sell" social media. Tons of fun, loads of talent.

Heather Elias, a smile to die for and a blog that rocks.

Mike Mueller, my "roomie" in Vegas. HUGELY talented, a great "people person."

Ginger Wilcox, she is a great example of "giving back" to her community. Read her blog!

Brad Coy, really understands how to use social media. A good friend.

Andy Kaufman. sorry but just, "wow!" you gotta get to know this guy.

Laurie Manny My friend, opinionated, controversial& fun. "Google" Long Beach Real Estate. enough said.

Ricardo Bueno, this star is rising fast and doing some GREAT things!

Teresa Boardman - an amazing talent, and such a warm, fuzzy personality! :-)

A few more Active Rain Friends I have been fortunate to meet in person are: Missy Caulk, Christa Caulk, Kim Wood, Kristal Kraft, Jeff Corbett or "X", Mike Jones, Matt Heaton,

OK... those are great people I have met from all over the country. Below is a short list of some of the bloggers (and people) locally that I have become friends with. Yep, some of them have become really good friends!

Calie Waterhouse, Jay Thompson, Dru Bloomfield, Christoph Schweiger, Paul Slaybaugh, D Patrick Lewis, Candace Robinson, Justin McHood, Steve Belt, Phil Sexton.

Of course, this isn't a "complete" list of the friendships I have made and I know I will kick myself for leaving a few out. I almost didn't write this because of that fact. I really do believe this is a great list of people and, who knows, next year, I might write an even longer post to share.

So, in summary, why should YOU blog? Why should YOU engage in "social networking?" The reasons vary as greatly as anything but, I will tell you this: It works. These friendships I have made are priceless and the benefit to my business is truly exciting. We each, in one way or another, can help each other and that is fun. Sometimes, a "helping hand" is as simple as someone linking to my blog. Sometimes, it is generating a great referral base of qualified and successful agents. Without my blog, I would probably not have met these people and would probably not have recently been featured in the Arizona State Press, contacted by the Arizona Republic, or had the opportunity to be in November's issue of REALTOR(R) Magazine. Soon, I will update Rail Life with some of the other recent "press related" benefits we have had from writing a "silly little blog."

Please feel free to check out some of the social media sites below and to add me as one of your friends or contacts. As one of the writers for the Arizona Real Estate Blogging Network, it is my goal to help share as much information as possible with you. Please join us at our monthly meetings.

Nick Bastian on LinkedIn

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I'm Nick Bastian with Realty Executives in Tempe AZ and I approve this message. :-)

Once again, it's time for our annual turkey drive! On Sunday Nov. 23rd , I will be delivering turkeys to help the Phoenix Rescue Mission feed the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. I believe that many people have a desire to help others this time of year but find it difficult to do so because our lives are so busy. This year, the need is sure to be great! If you would like to help by making a financial donation, we will do all of the work for you! I'll be purchasing frozen turkeys Sunday morning to deliver to the Phoenix Rescue Mission. (I can provide receipts from the mission if needed) Please feel free to contact me with any questions or donations.
Last year, with the help of my friend Rob, we were able to deliver over 100 turkey's for needy families! I want to give special thanks to Rob Sell at Sell Home Inspections for all of the help he has been the last couple of years. The first few years, I did the Turkey drive mainly by myself but with the generosity of our family and friends (and the addition of 3 small children) it became quite a task. Thankfully, Rob has really stepped in to be a huge help to me in hauling all of these birds! We have a BLAST delivering them and want to thank everyone for your donations to such a great cause. Please help. It can be a dollar or a hundred dollars (or more!) but every single penny is GREATLY appreciated. We want to make it easy for everyone to help others this Thanksgiving. I would like to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Nick

It's no big secret that I am excited for Metro's Light Rail system to begin service here in the valley. You could say that I have been looking forward to this for a really long time. Having grown up in Arizona, I have seen many changes. While I love this state and all it has to offer, I also enjoy visiting cities like San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, New York and Seattle. To me, places with thriving urban cores are fun to visit. (No, I am not trying to compare Phoenix with these cities.)

When I first began reading about the potential for light rail to come to Arizona, I began to think of how it could change the way some of us live, work and play. Since the beginning of this project, things have been slowly moving into place that have sparked the interest of many people. In the past couple of years, I have spent a lot of time attending meetings with Metro, with community groups, city council's and the Chamber of Commerce all to get a better feel for the potential that is before us. It has been fun to read studies of urban growth and Transit Oriented Districts in Tempe, Mesa and in Phoenix. I truly enjoy meeting with groups downtown that have a passion for urban renewal and for some of the infill development that we will need to continue to change the urban core of the cities. When REALTOR(R) Magazine called recently to invite me to participate in a discussion of "Walkable Living" I quickly agreed. (I was glad to know they had found my blog!) Heck, I might not have been the most qualified person on the panel but, it really didn't matter, I was just happy to throw in my .02 cents. I really do believe that Arizona is ready for some of the things that will make the light rail system more successful. Things like; Higher Density, Street Facing Businesses, Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhoods; Walkable Communities.

With the opening of the light rail system, I see Tempe continuing it's trend of higher density. There are some really great communities being developed within a very short distance of the light rail line. I am also excited to see the amount of interest downtown Phoenix is getting. Projects like CityScape and the potential for an entertainment district coupled with a growing arts community and a growing student population are stepping stones that could soon change the valley in ways that just have not worked in the past. It won't or can't happen overnight but we will see people (gasp) give up there car or SUV for a whole different lifestyle. There is no magic pill and these changes will not occur overnight but they will begin to happen.

Be careful, it might just surprise you!

If you have any questions about the community of Tempe Arizona, please feel free to contact Nick Bastian - Realty Executives, Tempe AZ via the web or feel free to call us at 602-803-6425 or toll free at 1-888-343-6425.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia ( Maureen McCormick) is coming to Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe this Friday, October 24th to promote her new autobiography. The child star just might surprise you with details of a not so perfect life of a "pop culture icon." Now 52 years old, Maureen apparently has had some ups and some downs in her life but the "perfect" image still resonates with fans.

Changing Hands is located in a really cool shopping center in Tempe at the South/West corner of McClintock and Guadalupe. My family and I often go to this center to visit other places like, Trader Joes, Baskin Robbins, Wildflower Bread Company and a couple of other great little restaurants/shops.

South Tempe has so much to offer, it is good to see places like Changing Hands that enjoy "giving back."

To Live, work and play, our great city is hard to beat! Tempe is very centrally located with easy access to light rail, our freeway systems and to the airport. Here, you will find some amazing housing opportunities, a great arts community, wonderful restaurants, great schools, many different jobs, enthusiastic sports fans and a wonderful lifestyle in an amazingly convenient location that is close to many of the things our great state has to offer.

If you have any questions about the community of Tempe Arizona, please feel free to contact Nick Bastian - Realty Executives, Tempe AZ via the web or feel free to call us at 602-803-6425 or toll free at 1-888-343-6425.