Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate

Every month in the Eco All Stars Group we have a Challenge/Contest on a certain topic for the month.  janeAnne is usually the one that posts it, but as some of you know, her computer is MIA right now. :)  So, I am excited to be personally putting this out there for Feb.

For this month we want to hear your thoughts on Earth Day and Stewardship.  If there was one message that you would get out by combining the forces in your area, what would it be?  What is a Big Concern or Message that needs to get out in YOUR area? 

If you have a hard time with that one, then we would like to hear what Earth Day and Stewardship mean to you.

Here are the Guidelines:

• The post needs to be atleast 300 words
• The deadline, since we are starting late, is March 7th.
• Post it to Eco All Stars
• TAG it February Challenge...VERY IMPORTANT!

We will post the Results on Monday March, 10th. 

Sound like fun?  :)

I have more links to put in, but I'm having a heck of a time inserting them...so I'll do them later.  I'll try re-booting or something.

Active Rain has so many Members now that it is hard to keep up with the massive amounts of Posts that go through the Dashboard every day....let alone for the whole week.  I have had a busy week and I remember logging on for a few minutes, seeing a post that sounded interesting but thinking I would read it later.  It had something to do with 'SEO'.

Now that I have time to read it, I can not for the life of me remember what it was titled, let alone who wrote it.  So, here is my idea.  Can we add the search tool in one more area?  Please?

By adding the Search Tool here we could search posts that are relevant to the search term within a certain timeframe.  For example, I could search SEO within the last 1 Week.

Does anyone else think that this would be a Useful Tool?

Out of curiosity the other day I was searching information on Earth Day.  Many Communities have Gatherings.  The information that came up was all sales.  A site to buy BRANDED 'Eco Friendly' items,  BRANDED Earth Day Posters, BRANDED anything that said Earth Day. 

Then I was thinking about the actual Festivals that we have every year around Earth Day.  What is it?  More companies.  More companies that hand out cute stuff, on paper usually, and many tell you how they can help be Environmentally Friendly or are advertising a service. 

Is Commercializing Earth Day losing the meaning? 

John McConnell is the original founder of Earth Day.  Happened back in 1970 actually.  On one site, he discusses why he wanted Earth Day to begin with:

"This special moment of nature's equipoise provides a sound basis for members of the human family to simultaneously join -- each in their own way -- in silent prayer or reflection : a time for dedication and commitment to the care of our planet, a time for thanksgiving and celebration. Earth Day is on the first day of Spring -- nature's symbol of renewal and new life."

To me, that is exactly what Earth Day should be.  Come together as Stewards that understand our Limited Resources on Earth.  Learn about how we can make a difference.  Get away from the Daily Rut and Remember how important the Green Recycling Bins are outside and how so many decisions that we make affect, somehow, the Planet.

I believe that we should come together and unite for a cause, just as Mr. McConnell stated in 1970.  Unite for the cause of Educating and Spreading the word.  All Professionals from all corners of the Commercial World combining as one to make a very loud statement.

If you combined all of the Companies in your area to spread the word, what would it be?   What is important in your area in regards to Earth Day?

Active Rain represents something different for about every on the network. 

I personally stumbled across Active Rain by complete accident one day.  Found it to be pretty interesting so I visited every day for a few days reading whatever was on the dashboard.  It blew me away how everyone knew everyone, everyone openly shared information to build each others business and the VAST amount of information there was.

Finally, after a few days, I joined.  I hopped in to conversations, wrote a few posts out of sheer curiosity, and then found out almost immediately that Active Rain was probably the Best Kept Secret in the Real Estate Industry.  I continued to read, write, comment, learn...

Here is what Active Rain has done for me.

• I have a Kodak V705!  I do not know what I would do without it now.
• I use Real Estate Shows for every listing!
• I can put together amazing charts and graphs for clients!
• I actually know what a blog is.
• Pictures of the Community!  I never would have dreamed to post anything like Localism content.
• I understand the National Market like none other from my AR pals.  I don't have to be mislead by Media.
• Friendships!  So many amazing people!  That in itself is worth it.
• EcoBroker!  Who knows how long it would have been before I knew anything about Green and Sustainable Building.
• Internet Presence.  Don't think would have EVER happened.
• Internet leads and sales...well, DUH!
• Social Media- Had no idea it existed prior to AR.
• Technology and Software-  Learn about a new one everyday

And maybe most important...an Upper Hand and a way to stand out in the Local Market.  All of the above items play an important role in being a Better Real Estate Agent because of Active Rain.  The amazing amount of knowledge that I have gained by being part of Active Rain is Unreal and slightly overwhelming. Joining Active Rain, for FREE, was probably  IS the best thing I ever did for my career.

Here is a small video of Photos that I absolutely would not have if it were not for Active Rain.

The January Challenge in the Eco All Star Group is to write about 3 Unique Green Things that we have done to our home to make it Greener.  Although I have done some things, I don't know that they are unique...but I will share. :)  The unique things that I will be doing will be later this year.

Over the Holidays, I finished up some Home Repairs and also redid 2 Bathrooms and my Bedroom.  The 3 Rooms I painted were done with a Monarch PPG Low VOC Paint.  It was Green Certified and although it said 'Low VOC' there was virtually NO ODOR.  Absolutely amazing. 

The ceiling fan was one that I picked up on Clearance at Home Depot one day for $39.  It is Energy Star Rated and should be good during the Summertime to help lower utility bills.  All light fixtures and other materials will be taken to the Recycling Center.  Still in my Garage...but that is where they are going eventually.  :) I hope to do the other bedrooms too.

Some of you may remember my Insulation Experiment.  I realized last year how much Insulation I DID NOT have in my attic.  To the left is the 'before' picture.  The company I hired estimated my R Value at a whopping 8.25!!??!!   I took it up to R-38 and it has made a tremendous difference on not only the comfort level in my home but the utility bills.  December 2006 and December 2007 my kwh usage was reduced by appx. 1000 kwh. Holy Cow!  That was just ONE month!

Here is the After picture taken from virtually the same location in the attic.  Big Difference!!

While last year I focused on Utility Bill Reductions, this year I will be focusing on other stuff.  Here is what I am going to try and get done...money allowing.  :)  

• Replace Sliding Glass Door to Vinyl Double Pane 
• Replace Large South/West Facing windows with Vinyl Double Pane
• Put an Insulated Door going to the attached garage
• Replace ALL Kitchen Appliances with Energy Star
• Put on a Hot Water Heater Blanket

These are all nothing too fantastic or unique, but all are excellent ways to reduce emissions and Utility Bills. 

I have something else lined up....but it's a Doozie!  I'm not sharing right now.  :)  Too good to let the cat out of the bag yet.  Best thing about it?  IT'S FREE!!!!  You'll have to stay tuned.

As I ocassionally cruise around the rain, I see many posts regarding Going Green.  Suggestions about how to Go Green, Information about Building Green..

This is actually good news.  It seems as though people are realizing the Benefits of Going Green, especially in Real Estate.

Although we have to be careful not to Greenwash products, people, etc. - It is great news to be spreading the word.

The Green Active Rain community is very active.  If you are wanting to know a little more about Going Green, feel free to join us in the Eco All Star Group!

janeAnne posted a January Challenge about 3 things you are doing in YOUR home to Green it up a little.  If you are just wanting to share what your Local Community is doing to Go Green, we would LOVE to hear about it!

Have you written a post recently about what how Your Area is Going Green?  Feel free to share the link here:

Here is one I did recently.

Taste of Town in The Woodlands is an Annual Tradition held every year around the end of January.  I'm sure many residents in the area remember when this event was small enough to be held in a Tent at the Pavilion, where now it brings such a large crowd that it has to be held at Marriott on The Waterway in the Conference Rooms.

I have attended this event many times and I have to say I look forward to it every year.  Once you have purchased a ticket to get in, it is the one time a year that you can walk around for hours tasting food from some of the BEST Restaurants in The Woodlands.  Get some dessert, a Beer or glass of wine if you wish, all that you would like for free once you go in. 

Be sure not to miss out on this years Taste of Town!  Here are the Details:

Venue:  Marriott on The Waterway

Date:  January 31st, 2008

Time:  4-9 p.m.

Cost:  $20 in advance, $25 at the door

For more information they also have a website at www.tasteoftown.org

If you are going,  I'll see you there!

Well, it's a crummy, wet, cold day in Houston today but when I saw this driving down the street today I said Woah Horsies!    I had a better picture lined up until a Cop showed up and made me move my car.  :(  (oops)

Ok, so this is just a teaser.  Sorry.  Hints for now....Nah. 

Ok, normally I would vent on a Member's Only post because I am mostly a firm believer of "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." 

However, today I have changed my mind.  I am making this public in hopes that WHOEVER writes these insane Sales/Training Manuals for Search Engine Placement Companies runs across this and maybe learns something.

First, I will start with a disclaimer that I am not the techiest person in the world by far.  To be honest, I just learned a couple of days ago what the difference was between a Video Podcast and a general Video Tour.  BUT, I do understand basic SEO.  It's not rocket science.  I also used to do Sales Training.  You know, how to talk to people.

Now,  I really don't care for getting these phone calls from Google and Yahoo people trying to sell me Search Engine Placement.  Houston is the largest city in the Western Hemisphere Land Wise, I do not work the entire Houston area.  That has got to be 80 mile Radius or something with Several Million Homes.

I usually, POLITELY tell these people I'm not interested.  Yesterday I had a call from someone trying to sell me "Houston TX Real Estate For Sale".  She had a great line and I POLITELY told her:

"I understand, but that is not my TARGET Market online.  I am ALREADY on the first page of GOOGLE for my DESIRED keywords"  I then explained that Green is what I was targeting online and then had to get the other line.  I told her that I was not interested in their services.

One would think that was ok, right?

WELL, today I get a voicemail and low and behold.  Who is it?  It is Mrs. Search Engine Placement lady.   I was APPALLED AT HER MESSAGE!!!!  It went like this:

"Hi, Mrs. Edwards.  This is Mrs. Annoying Pants and we spoke yesterday about getting you on the First Page of Google.  Well,  I have been doing some research on your desired market and NOWHERE  (this was stressed)  did I find you on the first page of Google. Please give me a call at 1-800-Im Annoying so we can talk about your placement"

Um, NO!!!  I would never in my wildest dreams leave ANYONE a message like that, let alone a POTENTIAL CLIENT!  What is she thinking?!?!?

For the Telemarketing Trainers, here is my advice:

• Get your OWN placement on Google for searches like "How to be on the first page of Google" or "Houston TX Real Estate" with 'If you would like this search term please contact 1-800-Im Annoying'
• Explain to your sales people that the ABOVE VOICEMAIL is not acceptable.  Accusing the person on the other end of the phone of lying IS NOT A GOOD SALES TACTIC!  Neither is being condescending, hateful and RUDE.
• The Do Not Call List was created for a reason. 

Now, for Mrs. Annoying...Here is just a little of my search engine placement:

Green Houston Homes  #2

Solar Houston Homes  #'s 4,5 and 8

Green Building in Houston, TX on Yahoo #3,8,9 and 10

My other Target:

Imperial Oaks Realtor #1

Spring Woodlands Real Estate #1,2 and 7

Homes for sale Auburn Lakes  #5 and 6

How did you miss me?  These are just a few!  They are not all number one, but that's ok.  I will get them there...without the Google/Yahoo account.

Rest assured, I would never treat a Client, Potential Client, Past Client, any client there of, Co-Broking Agent, and yes...even Telemarketers like that.  It's just UNCALLED FOR.

Thank you for listening and have a Good Day.

I ran across an interesting Conference that will actually be held in Houston tomorrow  (Yeah, I know...I was surprised too).    It is called Got Social Media and they will have a variety of different speakers on internet marketing and Social Networks. 

Since this is all along the lines of what I would like to know more about, I signed up!  It appears to be hosted by Peanut Butter Media and will have a variety of what appears to be excellent speakers.

Has anyone heard of this?  I would love to hear input on what I will learn tomorrow.  Here is a list of what they will be covering, the list is from their site:

Any input?