If ever there were a time to splash the positivity around the RAIN it is NOW. I have reiterated time and again the importance of having a wonderful repertoire with our peers here on ActiveRain. We carry a professional attitude (and behavior behind the pounding on the keyboard) and being ever so "REAL" in our writing with a little transparency. Through our conversations and eventually getting to meet one another face to face through our interactions here has surely given me the richness of the meaning Connections through ONLINE RELATIONSHIPS.
I'm not talking the chat room gossip. I'm talking about a REAL Estate Network that has given me information, education and the most important.....bonding with my peers.
If not for the fun, the laughter and the people we connect with here this would be just another ‘social network'. This is MORE......always has been....always will be (hopefully). The changes that take place here have not interfered with the bonding I have with other professionals in the industry and I really appreciate what I do have.
I can name off SOOOO MANY friends but this is especially for my friend, William E. Johnson. I remember one conversation that set the tone for our continuing friendship. That was when the big California fires made him one of the evacuees in the San Diego area. I called...and kept track....and made sure...he was going to be okay. Read about that here>>> The Active Rain Passage to Mystery
All worked out well and it set the stage for our ongoing friendship. Who would have thought one DID NOT have to meet face to face to know that the friendship of the soul was enough? I have no doubt that we will eventually meet and I do believe that this one will be a tear jerking meeting for sure.
Recently, the chance came up for William to do the one thing that we KNOW is the standard for "I trust in you" in this industry for another peer.
" The finest compliment I can receive is a referral from another client, customer and a peer"
This is what William gave to me. A referral. A listing from his client in San Diego that owned a home here and wanted to sell. And wouldn't ya know. It was in contract by the 11th day on the market!
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My gift of a referral from William funded today and it is recording tomorrow morning.
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Now THAT...... is the POWER of ActiveRain.
The People behind the words.
Royal Kunia Home for Sale - 94-1063 Hoohele Street, Honolulu County Hawaii (SOLD! March 30-2009)
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
That is wonderful. It takes a little time to find consistant Rainers who you can click with. I've 'met' a few. A referral is the best compliment! Way to go!
Linda: I am honored to have been given a referral by William...he's not just a friend...but a professional that I trust as well :)
Hi Sally~ I would love to meet some of the "people behind the words" , and you and William are actaully one of those I would love to meet some day! I look to active rain for other realtors and that is where I give my referrals. These referrals we share in the rain are definitely little gifts we can give each other!
Sally - well congratulations on the, and on your success is helping William's referral. What a nice compliment to you. AR strikes again!!
Jeff
Vickie: Woohoo! Yup,.....it's an ongoing connection here isn't it?
Jeff: Yes it does! I'm glad I had the chance to meet you and your lovely wife....there will be a next time too :)
Congratulations to both of you. I'm sure the client is thrilled and I'm sure there will be more referrals from both sides.
Sally your post led me to think about AR being a place where people come in and after a short time feel like they have been here a long time. When I first started in the unfamiliar area of blogging and interacting at this level on AR I read other post and continue to refine my blogs. You are one of the first people that ever commented on one of my blogs. Your comments helped me feel like I was doing something of worth and I greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
Sally, I just posted about this, a bit different slant however. I have found so much here already. What a beautiful story of a life long friendship. Of that I have no doubt.
Hi Sally
Outstanding post, the people behind the words can be very supportive to members of the ActiveRain family.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Sylvie: You betcha! Hope you're doing well. :)
Ron: Thanks a bunch....it's supporting each other that gets us through the initial stages....now look at you...a blogging machine!
AndreaL it become significant...a part of our lives...business....and friendships formed. :)
Lou: Sure can...thanks and good luck to you too!
Tremendous! Congratulations!
It's always a great compliment to receive the trust of our peers. And you deserve it.
Hope you celebrate!
Sally...
I have gotten many calls from AR members with referrals. It's nice to know that we are able to develop trust in a "social network!" Nice post.
Nicely done - and so quickly in this market. You know what you're doing and you do it well.
Sally ~ Congratulations to you and William! Good, smart, wonderful people always attract others with the same awesome qualities! And being a part of ActiveRain helps as well. Love your story, thanks.
What a great story! I really appreciate you sharing it with us. It is always encouraging to me to hear of others success with Active Rain - it fuels me to keep on blogging and commenting. Thanks!
Sally, That is a wonderful compliment to give anyone--a referral. I am careful who I refer to and if I'm not sure, I will ask someone I know to be honest and ethical if they know someone....I just gave a referral for a client in another state who is looking to refinance and I hope it works out. Don't you just love this site? And the people that make it what it is.
Sally - Congratulations! A/R is definitely a great way to get to know someone and develop that level of trust.
Sally - Your post echos my sentiments on the wonderful and endearing friendships we've all made here on Active Rain. It amazes me just how strong the bond is with people we may have never met or spoken to. Congratulations to you and William on such a great and lasting friendship.
Sally, I have been lucky enough to have met a number of the friends that I first made here in the Rain. It is amazing that when we meet face to face for the first time it seems like we have know each other much longer. And to have the opportunity to also be able to do business together or refer business to one another makes it that much special.
Carol: Hmmm okay...I sure do lol!
Richard: Believe me...it was hard for me to trust...get to know and so forth in the beginning...I guess we all learn how and who to trust :)
Thanks Georgina: It's all in the Crucial Marketing Strategy .....those first hours :)
Oh Terrie: Believe me...you described us well LMAO! If you could only hear us .....:)
Sheila: Keep on blogging! It definitely will pay off....be patient, kind and write your behind off! :)
Carole: I do love this site...the people I've "met" and met. The ones who are far away....you are one....that I've been friends with for so long....I have no doubt....are the same in person....there's just that gut feeling and a connection unlike any other!
Maria: Some don't believe...but I've been her over two years....I believe :)
Donna: Thank you...we've talked much today too!
George: Maybe one day I'll get to meet you too George...one can only hope :)
Sally that is wonderful that such a friendship was formed and now here you are closing on a referral from your friend. Congratulations to you both.
WOO HOO You honor me greatly with this post Sally. I wasn't figuring on a tearful meeting though, I figured we would start giggling and never stop.
I am looking forward to that day no matter the tears or giggles or whatever. Frankly you as well as many here in the Rain make my life way more meaningful and we all have so much to give. When the opportunity arose, there wasn't even a second of hesitation of who I would trust my clients to, since I tend to want to spoil them anyway I can. And what gift could I ever give them that could have more substance and meaning than to be able to work with someone I have come to adore and also respect as one of the best in the profession. And I knew you tend to spoil them as well.
I recall asking my client to call you "Woo Hoo" and I explained that a bit to the wife. And then the first call came from the husband ( so much for the coaching) and you said at first the husband was hesitant. But then I found out , that the two you had so many laughs together and you were in control through the entire process with their willing trust to follow you to the ends of the earth. No greater sense of satisfaction could a professional know from a soon to be past client and new friends of yours , than that.
It has been so hard not to mention any thing in my comments to your posts about what you have so amazingly done in keeping me abreast of all the details. I wish I had another client to give immediatley as I will miss the near weekly updates in your superior efforts of getting the property to market and the close.
All I can say to you, " No surprise at all". You have emerged as an outstanding professional with a huge heart and a loving and caring personality to go along with it. Congratulations on another great closing and above all, you make me very proud to be your friend.
Sally you are one in a million and maybe that is a too small number. I so treasure what we have in our friendship and the extended frienships of your wonderful Best Friend and Husband Gary and the little ruler of the household, Shadow.
Thank You so much especially in light of all you have on your plate with family plans and business . Have a wonderful and joyful weekend.
Hi Sally—WooHoo! Sally & William dancin' in the RAIN! Way to go! This is what AR helps us all do best...making friends and lasting professional relationships. Thanks for a great example for all of us and congratulations on a done deal.
Psssssst... looking forward to Saturday... inquiring minds want to know NOW - ROFL!
Aloha Sally,
So nice of you to showcase and acknowledge William as an example of your friendships in the Rain. Like you, so many of us were really deeply concerned about William and the others in the beautiful San Diego area during those difficult times.
Congrats to you both on the nice referral!
Congrats, and yes the rain makes alot of friends for us in odays market.
Sally- Beautifully and eloquently written! What a wonderful way to say thank you for a referral. Of course I would only send my referrals your way:) we just don't get that many people moving all the way to Hawaii from Florida. In fact, I have only met one and we are listing his ranch here but he is moving to the big Island.
Jennifer: Thanks so much Jennifer...support we give each other leads to those connections :)
William : I say...tears first....come on...the joy of first meeting after all our long talks and such. :) the giggles do come directly after though :) :)
I am so happy that they were coached early on from you anyway...it set the course on what to expect from you referring a pro too :) :) I enjoyed working with them and from the beginning you said they were going to be great clients ...and they were. So appreciative of my work....and he's the one who said my marketing and internet listings were 'phenomenal'. I will always remember that....it meant a lot to me.
These are the rewards we receive from connections well made and from a job well done. Yup...there is no other 'high' in this industry for the ones who care...take great care and think in the best interests of their clients.
I thank you for your direction and input as well William. It all helps and for me I love to get added input...it makes the going twice as smooth. (I did take it by storm though didn't I?)
thank you for everything William!
Linda: All is well...lol...and to think....Saturday is just around the corner. I am happy I met you before you left Hawaii...One day we'll reunite...I'm sure of it!
Lynda: Thanks a bunch....and to think...we're all a part of that special group....:)
Terry: We make a lot of friends in any market ...here :) :)
Katerina: thanks...William means a lot to me anyway :)
William: uh...what are you talking about LMAO..big time hahahah!
I can't even remember now, probably just thinking about your giggles. I have been juggling counters tonight and boy am I tired. I fell my chair seat and what sits in it have now become one entity and the chair won. Pleasant thought ,huh?, LOL
Sally, More than a great deal all around; a fast closing, happy clients, 3 happy agents, reinforced professional relationship(s), new and renewed friendships. What a deal! Regards,
Woo Hoo for William and for you my friend. Now that is spreading the AR LUV!
Sally that is fantastic! I have sent out quite a few referrals to my AR friends. I am hoping I can send you one someday:)
Hi Sally ..Great Post and the power of netWORKING with a good group of people and AR has it :-)
Thanks for sharing
William: You meshed...wow. lol!
Pete: All in one...right here :)
Paddy: I love making friends with all my peers here. :) :)
Bill: Great! One day I'll be looking forward :) :)
Bob: Netoworking...connecting and actually having friends through these connections.
Sally - you are absolutely right in saying
"If not for the fun, the laughter and the people we connect with here
this would be just another ‘social network'."
I've only met a few of my fellow Rainer's in person but I have found their personality to be exactly as I had envisioned from our interaction here in the rain.
The people that I encounter here are the very reason that I keep coming back. The SEO is great and I love the Internet exposure, but the people make it special.
Sally - Congratulations to you and William. It is so much fun to finally meet some of your favorite Active Rainers in person. You feel like you have been friends forever. Active Rain is the first place I look for my referrals
Kathy: don't you just love it???? It's so nice when we connect with some....and actually know they'll be the same in person :)
JL: Of course WE do :) :)
Sharon: Well, William and I are just 'connected' friends....that's all there is to it. :)
My recording was postponed until Monday am. Darn...that's okay.. our system really has a hold on us though, don't they?
Sally,
Thank you for posting this. Thank you for describing the value you find in AR.
Royal Kunia Home for Sale - 94-1063 Hoohele Street, Honolulu County Hawaii (SOLD! March 30-2009)
WooHoooooo!