All Neighbors in Stone Ridge, NY
Top Neighbors: The magic behind the mirrors
You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
... it will be gone! This, slightly changed, line from 'Wait' by 'Ready Set Go' provides a fitting premise for this article and of what I believe will be the situation in the real estate market, come spring. Buyers, right now, are in waiting mode. Who can blame them? The market in general hasn't been performing well in the last year. Talks about the economy, the sub prime crisis and the steep decline of national house sales leave the educated buyer where they are: At home. Most of my listings had increased online viewings since December. I think most buyers are motivated. They just aren't certain of what is going to happen. We often talk amongst ourselves in our office, and about the clicheed and overused line, "NOW is the time to buy!" that we are telling our buyer clients. Of course, you think that that's what we always say. We are in real estate. That's our bread and butter. But now IS, in my opinion, TRULY the time to buy. When everybody else is waiting, that's when you should buy. In five years, there hasn't been as much inventory as we have right now. Owners are more negotiable than they have been in a long time. The interest rates are at an all time low. There aren't three buyers for one decent and nice property at this moment. There is only you. Even though, in the last few weeks, we had several homes (in the $500k to $700k range) that already had multiple offers on them. Right now, buyers can still get in under the radar and buy a house for a good price and live in it by May. I think the day will come, when the wait is going to be over. A shift in buyer's perception, a few articles here and there about the market stabilizing and suddenly the door opens and a crowd of eager buyers will flood the scene to finally make a purchase. Have you ever been the first in an empty movie theater? You feel a bit awkward all by yourself, you hope that the movie is going to be good with so few other people watching but you also have the choice of the best seats. And then when the theater fills up you're glad you got in first. Ulster County, as discussed in previous blogs, is different from the rest of the Country anyway. I think we will have a strong spring. Most of the nice homes that are on the market right now, will be sold by June and then it will be much harder to find something again. So, if you are waiting for the right time, maybe you want to consider coming up and looking at some houses. If there is one you like, make an offer. And come spring, you'll open a lemonade stand in the front lawn of your new home, for all the buyers that came after you and are now thursty from all the driving around and searching for the right house. 
