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Sally K. & David L. Hanson, WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce  (EXP Realty 414-525-0563)

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Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sally and David,

I would send it to the best person.  Just because, they are on Active Rain, does not prequalify them, nor does the brokerage.  We really interview people to see how much they know, review their web sites, and their reviews.  I want to be sure of the way my friends will be treated.  A

Nov 14, 2015 03:14 AM
Rainer
94,105
Val Evans
Scottsdale, AZ

Referrals should be based strictly on your client's specific needs, and how well you can match them to a qualified agent that can best represent those needs. Your choice should not be based on what brokerage the agent is affiliated with, nor how they may rank on some blogging site.

For example... you have a client who wants to purchase an equine property. You go on to the ActiveRain leader board (like so many here suggest) to choose an agent. It's a good bet that the #1 agent on the leader board sells very few homes per year, and has no knowledge whatsoever of equine properties.

Do you think it would be fair to your client to refer them to an agent that spends the majority of their time blogging, or has no knowledge of the specific type of property your client is looking for?

Nov 14, 2015 03:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,577,943
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Active Rain normally. I know how they operate based on their writing.

Nov 14, 2015 03:01 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

AR will always be my first choice. My brokerage is on down the line after my CRS and internet search.

Nov 14, 2015 10:51 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

There are many ActiveRain members to whom I would be happy to send a referral. If I did not have a relationship with an agent in the area, I would search for a nearby RE/MAX office.

Nov 14, 2015 08:07 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I'm somewhat confident in referring within my brokerage but will always go with the most qualified person and the best fit first!

Nov 14, 2015 03:26 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hands down I prefer to search for an AR member.  I've had much better results with them.

Nov 14, 2015 03:26 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It depends if I know someone in the market.  

If not -- I'll go to AR, then my brokerage referral system.  

Nov 14, 2015 09:17 AM
Ambassador
2,178,553
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Whoever I consider the most qualified to serve THAT particular client.  If the client was looking for a fruit orchard for example and no-one in the brokerage was qualified, then I would refer them to someone who specialized in that area... regardless of their affiliation.  

Nov 14, 2015 07:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Since Metro Brokers is only in CO, would definitely choose AR first.  But I also look at CRS.

Nov 14, 2015 07:37 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

whom ever i thought would do a better job. if they are active on the rain, that says a lot, if they havent posted in a year. no. if they dont post, it tells me they are lazy or are a quitter :) . and i dont even like quitters in alcoholics  lol

Nov 14, 2015 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I'd look for an AR member first, but if the people in that area were not active enough for me, I'd refer to a RE/MAX agent....

Nov 14, 2015 06:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

This is a great question Sally & David. I think if you really know about the person I would go with AR. Chances are that you may know from the blogs that this Realtor is enthusiastic and will take care of your client where if you do it within your company it is a crap shoot.

Nov 14, 2015 04:32 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I send referrals nationwide. Since I've become active on AR it has been part of my screening process when I'm looking for good agents.

Nov 14, 2015 03:19 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

I am more concerned with agent reviews and experience than which brokerage they work for.

Nov 14, 2015 03:09 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

It would depend on the location and how well I knew the agent at the other end. I like to select 3 or 4 agents from my company's network and AR and interview them first to see who's the best fit for my client. At the end of the day, the client fit is what matters.

Nov 14, 2015 09:58 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Since I work for a locally owned firm, I use ActiveRain as sort of a Relo network.

Nov 14, 2015 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
530,966
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

I have always looked for an AR member first.  I want to  find the right personality for a client --- and reading the posts gives me a good indication of the person.

Nov 14, 2015 11:55 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Well I don't work for a chain so the answer is easy for me. I would seek an AR member for that referral. I have sent out several referrals this year, and they all went to AR members. 

Nov 14, 2015 11:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Since we are not a National Company, anything outside the area would go to someone from Active Rain, if there is someone from that area.

Nov 14, 2015 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

ActiveRain Member, hands down...

Nov 14, 2015 09:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Whiever it the best qualified. That may come from CRS, from knowing people through NAR meetings, or here.

Nov 14, 2015 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I send to the best qualified person.  I look at ActiveRain, the brokerage, other brokerages within the franchisor's brand, and brokerages outside the franchisor's brand to find that person.

Nov 14, 2015 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Sally & David,
Since we are just a two person independent shop I always look for an AR person first.

Nov 14, 2015 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

You can try me. I got two coming up. Learn about horse boarding on the fly....Santa Cruz County.

Nov 14, 2015 03:52 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

If I was with a national brokerage I would use them.  Same philosophy.

Nov 14, 2015 08:46 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

The best choice. It comes down to quality service not necessarily brand loyalty at the customer's expense.

Nov 14, 2015 08:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Sally. I use AR as a resource for referrals all the time, but it might make a difference if I was part of a franchise. It would also matter if it would be someone that I knew, then it wouldn't matter.

Glad I don't have the problem.

Nov 14, 2015 05:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Who will win if You'd use the same broker? Since the answer is obvious, and you personally get no benefits, it is better to find the best you can find for your client regardless who is a broker. 

Nov 14, 2015 04:58 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Before I refer I interview the person I refer to. The one who best fits my clients wants and needs wins...

 

Nov 14, 2015 02:39 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Sally and David - I work in a smaller brokerage (not national), and I would very much send a referral to an AR member instead of searching for strangers online.

Nov 14, 2015 02:13 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Sally K. & David L. Hanson I'd say, it depends on the area.

Friends in Real Estate business are first choice.

 

Next, I surely would love to refer to an ActiveRain member first, who I am close to.

However, I do have other affiliations - Buffini & Company White Hat Society are usually the first choice if I know the agent.

Followed by someone at KW. 

Nov 14, 2015 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Depends on why I am sending the referral in my area...and what the property or buyer is

Nov 14, 2015 10:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,280,748
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Our current brokerage is not national, however we started our business in a big box company. At first we were referring within the brokerage because those were the folks we knew best. Now the folks we know best are other AR members.

Aug 29, 2016 02:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,731,203
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

If in my area ....then to an agent in my firm ....most of them are AR members so I guess I would do both?

Nov 16, 2015 07:31 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

I would send it to whom I felt was the best agent...that may not be someone in one's own brokerage.

Nov 15, 2015 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'd most likely use the Rain or people I know in other areas.  I'm a small brokerage though.

Nov 15, 2015 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

This all depends on too many variables to discuss here. However, Ron and Alexandra Seigel 's answer rings perhaps the best truth on this subject.

Nov 15, 2015 01:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Sally K. & David L. Hanson I would go with a person I knew and could trust to do a good job.

Nov 14, 2015 11:09 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I've used AR several times and have been very pleased. 

Nov 14, 2015 10:18 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I research agents on active rain first .

Nov 14, 2015 08:42 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Sunday morning Sally and David. I have sent out referrals to active rain members mainly because I know them.

Nov 14, 2015 06:42 PM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Definitely to someone in my company, but if I was not the owner it may be different, especially if I think the rainer is more competent.

Nov 14, 2015 12:08 PM