I have been asked many times why I spend so much time cultivating my relationships on the internet.  I’m not referring to internet dating or chat rooms, but rather social media like blogging and Twitter.  Questions arise like, “How can you get to know people by reading blogs or reading mini-blogs?”  Twitter, a mini-blog where you are limited to typing 140 characters at a time, is the most confusing for those who don’t participate.  My husband is very curious as to how I can convey a worthwhile message in 140 characters.  My answer is always that I have learned to get my meaning across in an efficient way.  Many real estate professionals have not yet found the value in this type of networking.  But, I am here today to tell you that the relationships you create through social media are real and lasting. 

I woke up this morning to the news that one of ”the people that lives in my computer” has passed away.  I am overcome with grief.  In 140 characters or less we developed a friendship that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I learned about real estate, inner strength, and life from a person who I would have never known had I not taken the jump and joined the social media movement.  I had the absolute pleasure of meeting this Twitter friend at the NAR Mid-Year Tweetup, which only added to the  bond the internet had already created.  

As I think about @Pinky379’s family and friends today, I am honored to be counted among them.  I am also honored and lucky to be a part of such an incredible social media network.  Being on Twitter will be very hard today as we remember how Pinky touched each of us with her words of wisdom and her incredible sense of humor.  But, I am also seeing a celebration of a life lost too soon and one that will be missed by so many.   

Are social media relationships meaningful?  Without a doubt.  How do I know?  Because I am seeing an outpouring of support and emotion from a group of people who, for the most part, have never met and may never meet.  But, we all believe we are better people for having followed @Pinky379. 

First things first: What is EMERGE? 

EMERGE is a group of young real estate professionals focused on promoting professional relationships, networking opportunities, community involvement and leadership in FAAR.  This FAAR work group is tailored to members in their 20s and 30s, but all are welcome to attend.  It is also not just a group for REALTORS.  EMERGE is open to anyone working in a real estate related field including developers, builders, attorneys, title companies, and lenders. 

For more information about EMERGE, please contact Sarah Stelmok, Chair         Sarah@BuyInFredericksburg.com

Inaugural Event

Join EMERGE on August 16, 2008 (7-9pm) at Maury Commons.  We will be enjoying a cocktail party in one of the Maury Commons units while listening to the Martinsburg Jazz Orchestra, performing for the Bluemont Concert Series.  Beer, wine, and hors d’œuvre will be served.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a $5 donation which will be presented to the Bluemont Concert Series.  (Bluemont supports music programs in our local school systems). 

Parking is available at both Coldwell Banker, Carriage House Realty’s parking lots, located on William Street and George Street, and street parking is available.  Please do not park in the Maury Commons parking lots, as these spaces are reserved for residents. 

Please RSVP by August 14

Registration online at www.faarmembers.com/Events     

” You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…” 

When I read blogs this is what goes through my mind, Miranda rights.  Since blogging became popular in 2004, there have been 159 civil and criminal court actions involving bloggers.  Seven of these have resulted in penalties totaling more than $18 million.  What is amazing is that it’s not just the blogger’s articles that are facing scrutiny, but the comments left on blogs are getting blog authors in trouble.  So, where should real estate bloggers draw the line?  Where does the right to free speech end and the fear of litigation begin? 

Questions have been raised recently as to who is responsible for educating bloggers on their risks and limiting their risks. Some insurance companies have come out with Blogger Insurance that works similarly to insurance offered to newspapers.  But, in leiu of not being able to afford insurance, it will cost upwards of a few hundred dollars for a minimum coverage policy, there are a few rules you can remember as you sit down to write your next blog.

1.  Do not plagarize someone else’s work.  Copyright laws do apply to blogs.  Whether it is a newspaper article or another blogger’s blog, you need to give credit where credit is due.   

2.  Think Fair Housing!  I can not tell you how many blogs I have read from real estate agents that violate Fair Housing laws.  It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is or who you are talking to, Fair Housing laws apply to people who have real estate licenses all the time!  Your past blogs will be found and will be used against you to prove a history of discrimatory behavior.  This goes for your comments on other’s blogs, too.  And by the way, delete doesn’t mean it disappears forever.  There are people paid very well to find information on the internet that you deleted.  Violating Fair Housing laws is also unethical.

3.  If you are referring to a person in a defamatory way and the reader can easily find out who you are talking about, you should not publish your blog.  Defamation is a hot topic in blogger lawsuits.  This can also be an Ethics violation for REALTORS.   Article 15 - Realtors shall not knowingly or recklessly amke false or misleading statements about their competitors, their businesses, or their business practices. 

4.  Manage the comments on your blog.  Although I am an advocate for free flowing dialogue on my blogs, I will not condone blasting someone’s opinion or violating anybody’s rights.  If you do need to delete someone’s comments it is best to notify them why you did so and document that there was a need to censor a contributor. 

Of course there are many more ways to get yourself in trouble while blogging, but if you follow these 4 tips you will be steering clear of some pretty obvious lawsuits waiting to happen.  And if all else fails, just remember, you do have the right to remain silent.     

The 2008 VAR Conference is taking place September 25-28 in Baltimore, Maryland and here are 8 reasons why you should attend!

1.  Peer Pressure - Ummm… all the cool kidz are doing it!  This should be your #1 reason. 

2.  The Great Virginia Tweet-Up of 2008 - Are you a Twealtor, Twitterbug, Tweet, Twit or a combination of any of these?  Have you ever wanted to meet the people you have been talking to in a 140 characters or less?  Well, now you can! 

3.  Networking Opportunities - There will be plenty of opportunities to netowrk the old fashioned way, face to face.  VAR has even set up a Speed Networking Event on Saturday, September 27 at 4pm.  Don’t forget your business cards!

4.     EMERGE’s State Premier - Come suppport FAAR’s newest young professional initiative!  In conjunction with Richmond Rapport and VAR, EMERGE will be co-promoting the unofficial post-reception party at Roy’s Hawaiin Fusion restaurant and bar on Friday, September 26 at 7pm. 

5.  Meet the President! - Well, the President of VAR.  Who doesn’t want to join VAR’s 2009 President, John Powell, on a harbor cruise?  Baltimore will provide the views; VAR will provide the entertainment!

6.  Vacation From the Family - Need some time away?  This year’s conference hotel is lux.ur.ious!  The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and stunning Inner Harbor views.

7.  Education - Need to renew your license?  The VAR Conference is the perfect place to get your CE and PL credits.  This is an amazing opportunity to learn from dynamic national speakers.

8.  Can You Say FREE STUFF!?! - You know you can always use another post-it note pack, koozie, pizza cutter, and variety of pens!  The Expo will be open Friday and Saturday.  I highly recommend bringing a bag on wheels to tote all your freebies around!

The Lost Art?

In recent weeks I have had several conversations about how REALTORS communicate with each other and their clients and customers. One such conversation actually turned sour because of the difference in opinions. First, I will admit that I am part of Gen Y. We are known for our lack of communication skills. We have now reduced the English language to a few letters thrown together (LOL). And, vowels are no longer needed, thy r waste of valuable space. Gen Y expects the general public to keep up with us and communicate in an efficient way. I love texting and love, even more, the avenues of instant communication that have become, for most of us, a way of life. But, where has the art of communication gone? Have we truly lost the ability to hold someone’s attention for a long period of time? Are we so caught up in the speed of the business world that we have forgotten to take time to give that personal touch? I think we have. I also think this is sad.

When I was little my mother would always made me write Thank You notes to people who had come to visit, or given me a present, or had helped me. I used to hate sitting down and thinking of something creative to say. Most of the time the note went like this:

Dear _________, Thank you for the ________. I will use it every time I _________. It is the perfect gift for me. Love, Sarah.

But, as I’ve gotten older I have begun to appreciate this dying artform. As mail increasingly becomes bills, catalogues, and junk mail, it is exciting to actually open the mailbox and take out a letter or a card. Does this mean more to me than getting a quick email? Well, yes, it does. A person has taken the time to pick out a card, write a note, address it, figure out how much postage is today, and put it in their mailbox. The fact that they took time out of their busy day so I could have something other than junk and bills in my mailbox is precious to me. Remember a time when we used to keep old letters in a shoebox so we could look back through them and remember the feelings we had the first time we opened it? I miss that feeling. Scrolling through my email folders just isn’t the same.

Can you hear me now?

I also remember when a phone call helped make a connection between two people. Now we have transactions where we don’t know the sound of the other REALTOR’s voice, much less what they look like. It is much easier to be snarky to each other when we can hide behind a computer. There is actually a national survery that asked Home Sellers and Buyers why they fired their agent. One of the top reasons was that the agent did not communicate with them. I don’t think that all these “fired” agents just got the paperwork signed and never contacted their client again. My conclusion is that the agent did not communicate the way their client wanted them to. In the past 3 weeks I have gotten 5 phone calls from unhappy Sellers and Buyers wanting to talk about my services and when I ask them why they are unhappy, they have all said ‘lack of communication.’ When I pressed further they have all said, ‘my agent only emails me. I never get a phone call and when I call them, I talk to their voicemail.’ Seems to me there is a huge communication problem.

Old School

So, I am going back to the basics. I am going “old school!” I am putting everyone on alert: I will be calling you for feedback, I will also be faxing you for feedback, and I will email you for feedback. You can choose how you want to get it back to me. I will also be calling, faxing, or emailing you with constructive feedback on your listings. I will send you a note when a contract has been accepted and a deal has closed. I will call you when there is a problem or just to make sure you know that the lines of communication are open. I will make every effort to meet you in person and shake your hand. And, you better believe, I am changing the way I communicate with my own clients and customers.

I want there to be a personal connection in this business. I don’t want to lose the art of communication. I don’t want to be replaced by the internet.