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Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers How soon we forget when we were new and had no place to turn to and ask maybe the dumbest questions. The questions they ask are right out of the Real Estate Principles text book. Maybe they're just looking for clarification and a deeper understanding from the real estate pros on this forum to help them pass the exam.

Sure it can be annoying, but we can also choose to just pass by their questions, if we don't want to be bothered with them. I always thought ActiveRain was a place to learn from our peers.

May 15, 2016 02:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Nah, the Q&A section is what got me started in here and why I eventually became a paying and blogging member.

May 15, 2016 04:11 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

No, I don't.  I really feel that this is a great section for new people to AR to post their q's and learn their way about this place and how to blog better.  I believe it is a retention tool.

Yes, the Utah students' q's are annoying.  I tend to just ignore them.

I'd rather err on the side of inclusion and interaction.

May 15, 2016 02:48 AM
Rainer
21,291
Grace Hanamoto
Intero Real Estate - Sunnyvale, CA
Quality, Knowledge, Professionalism, Experience

When you restrict the flow of communication--no matter what the original intent--you also necessarily diminish and delete opportunities as well.

As a teacher, I welcome ALL questions, no matter how neophytic in nature.  Questions of all types help me gauge what areas I didn't cover and help make future classes, future mailing, future written information better.

More importantly, when you classify even the simplest question as "idiotic" or "frustrating", you indicate to the world your unwillingness to help in an arena in which you are trying to establish yourself as an expert.

My feeling..questions of any level in our area of business (real estate) are welcome and gladly answered.

May 15, 2016 03:42 AM
Rainer
375,087
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

I will defer to the AR gods on this one. I would hate for it to keep someone that has a valid desire to learn from being able to ask a question. Though, I guess they could put it in a blog. 

I also haven't been in the Q&A section as long as many of you since I am just recently back in the Rain. I get that it can be annoying, but you do have the ability to just scroll past it and move on. 

 

May 15, 2016 03:13 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

It would certainly clean things up a bit, but may also dampen the enthusiasm of those new members who are trying to get their feet wet with something a little less intimidating than a full blog post.

Perhaps it would be better to just restrict all of us to a max of one question per day, this would eliminate the issue of 5 questions in a row that seem to irritate many.

May 15, 2016 04:25 AM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I move on when there is a question that I have answered one too many times and I am of the opinion that we all started out new and learned from others. Let's not make this an exclusive club and exclude those who are trying to enter.

May 15, 2016 02:29 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Tony and Suzanne,

We are awash with rules and regulations in every aspect of our lives, we don't have to answer questions we don't like, nor do we need to be obnoxious about it. A

May 15, 2016 02:07 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

Some of the newbie questions are very geniune while others are just annoying. Nobody makes any of us spend time here and answer the questions we don't want to answer. The same goes for questions from long time members. We have choices if we want to read them and answer them. 

May 15, 2016 10:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Could they also be held to a post a day?

It works for me!

May 15, 2016 01:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

I totally see where you're going with this.  Some of the questions posted are borderline idiotic by some of these new "members."  If one of the questions is SOOOO dumb that I can't help but answer, I will in my normal charming way.  Otherwise I just move on.  

May 15, 2016 01:36 AM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

I understand your point. I was a newbie not long. The Q&A section is a great way to become involved. I began paying once I saw the benefit and scroll past most of those questions.  

May 15, 2016 01:13 PM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Why? I'm confused, my only issue is the "anonymous" and faceless questions which I just ignore.

May 15, 2016 10:34 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I would continue to allow anyone to ask questions.

May 15, 2016 08:42 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

It would set up a goal for newbies to obtain but I wouldn't suggest it.  We all start somewhere and inclusion from the beginning is much more inviting.  We educate by our examples.

May 15, 2016 08:42 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

I don't think that's necessary.  There are plenty of silly questions here from both old and new.

May 15, 2016 04:42 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

But what would happen to the kids in that real estate school in Utah?  They might have to get answers from the teaching staff there!

May 15, 2016 04:42 AM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

If we do that for our own convenience, we become less open, less welcoming and less helpful as a community. And we are all capable of an occasional stupid question, no matter our points total.

May 15, 2016 04:32 AM
Rainmaker
655,940
Jeffrey Jones
AZ Home Seekers - San Tan Valley, AZ
AZ Home Seekers, azhomeseekers.com

I don't see a point. I'm not sure making someone get to 10,000 points before they ask a stupid question will have much effect, other than delaying the stupid question.

May 15, 2016 03:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

What do the kids from the Utah school think?

May 15, 2016 01:55 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I like the idea.  Even better, they need to be paying Rainmakers and not a free account.  Absent that, we cross-charge the school for teaching their students.

They will likely just ask their questions on a post. We need to just stop answering them.  Ignore the buggers and maybe they will go away.

Or, our response is go to Zillow and ask 

May 15, 2016 01:55 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Not sure what that would accomplish in the long run.

May 15, 2016 09:23 PM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

That would limit legitimate Newbies...which we don't want to do

May 15, 2016 12:14 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,153
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes to the concept of points coming alive and doing things...Go AR points!

 

Greetings to Bob Stewart 

May 15, 2016 03:33 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I'm not a fan of censorship in anyway unless it is abused by an  individual!

We all were new at one point and we need to remember this to help others.

May 15, 2016 10:15 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers - sounds like a good idea - however, I do not like to have restrictions for any specific category....

May 15, 2016 04:32 PM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

I think that would work, because you are not limiting their Blogs, their comments, or them answering a question Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers - they would still have the opportunity to 'learn' and 'participate'.  That would certainly limit people that are not really committed to remaining in AR, and are only here because of an assignment - maybe they would continue or maybe they would not.  For me personally, I asked/ask questions as situations came up, so it wouldn't have been as much fun, though I would have lived within the boundary of the rules.

May 15, 2016 04:01 PM
Ambassador
1,026,893
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Not at all. It's such a fun way to get involved, and they haven't seen the questions before like we have, and don't have a clue that they've been asked before. It's a nice way to get them involved. Not all of the newbies are annoying.

May 15, 2016 01:05 PM
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

It's the new people that need some answers. I think it would be a mistake.

May 15, 2016 12:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

How about request they have to be a licensed realtor or have passed a license exam waiting for their first job?

May 15, 2016 02:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,196
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I actually like this idea!

May 15, 2016 02:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,592
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hummm.....might be worth a shot..let's see what others have to say.

May 15, 2016 01:26 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

What about....?

What are we trying to accomplish?

Are we on some misguided mission to 'raise the standards' in regards to AR Q&A? Some like myself say "It is not broke, so don't fix it."

You are aware, the one who posts the question receives NO points. The one who answers the question does. Perhaps the 10,000 should be applied to those who answer, with the intent of suppressing responses to off topic questions.

However, the end result of such action will be a morass of real estate agent pablum. Stab me with a fork. 

May 15, 2016 01:26 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I see no reason to limit anyone to posting a question. 

May 18, 2016 12:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Let em ask questions and let em eat cake.

May 16, 2016 01:26 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I don't see a reason to limit participation here.  

May 15, 2016 10:56 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Great idea !!!!!!!

May 15, 2016 11:28 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,560
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

How about if only PAID members could ask questions?

May 15, 2016 09:53 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I love the idea however i wouldnt be for limiting questions, there are some well thought out ones to go with the not so well thought out ones.

May 15, 2016 09:25 AM
Rainmaker
533,993
Robert Havana
Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB
Alberta Real Estate License Parking

yes.  10k points before they can post, before they can message any other members too.

May 15, 2016 08:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

This is the type of question that ActiveRain management, directors and/or shareholder(s), whoever is most appropriate, should address if they deem it important or relevant to how they want to operate their business and reach whatever objectives they may have.

May 15, 2016 06:33 AM
Rainer
117,040
Althea Kippes, Esq.
A.T. Kippes, Real Estate Broker - San Francisco, CA
Serving San Francisco to Silicon Valley!

This is really in response to the online Utah real estate school that makes posting test questions to the Q&A forum a required assignment. 

Requiring people to be licensed would eliminate the abuse of the AR Q&A forum and allow members to help newbie agents who actually have a desire to learn and be part of the AR community.

How many students from the online Utah real estate actually get their license and even become part of the AR community?  It seems that one they post their boilerplate questions and complete their assignment, we never hear from them again.

But, nobody at AR is doing anything about this, despite being notified of the problem multiple times.

This is too bad, because this situation will eventually make AR less helpful, and members will soon leave for other groups that prohibit these types of spam questions and abuse.  

FYI, check out Lab Coat Agents on Facebook and Real Estate Out of the Box Owl Marketing.  You have to be licensed and these groups do not tolerate abusive behavior and spam like AR does.

May 15, 2016 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,558
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Excellent subject, hope Bob see this.

May 15, 2016 01:20 AM