When I joined Active Rain, I met a lot of really nice people. I have already written posts about how this platform allows us to confidently refer business to agents, because we get to know them. As a RE/MAX agent, I used to always just go to the RE/MAX website, look up an agent in the town my client was moving to and place the referral. This usually worked out well, as in my humble opinion, RE/MAX attracts a high quality of agent, but it's a little hit or miss if you do not know anything about them.
I had commented on Neal Bloom's posts many times and he was kind enough to comment on mine. He got to calling me his Big Sis, and I took to calling him Little Bro. I liked the reciprocal nature of relationship building on Active Rain and I was learning tons abut writing and real estate. Shortly after I started blogging, Neal Bloom emailed me to see if I was willing to do the week in review. I'm not sure anyone uses that group on Active Rain anymore, but I did a lot of research, read a lot of posts, and did one or two for Neal. It was fun and I got to meet a lot of nice agents. 
Over the past few years that I've been a member, I've kept in touch with Neal and even called him once and we talked for over an hour. I keep up with him on Facebook, as I do with lots of agents I meet on Active Rain and I find it further cements the friendships that we build here.
My husband is executor of his dad's estate and it was time to sell the house down in West Palm beach. It was tenant occupied and the tenant had stopped paying rent or returning calls. My husband knew that through this network I have met a lot of agents everywhere and I can refer business without a worry because through Active Rain, you can really get to know how an agent works and how they treat people. I wasn't sure if Neal was close enough to West Palm Beach to even want the listing, but I emailed him.
The listing was about 45 minutes away but was not a short sale and the seller, my husband, was willing to price it to sell in the condition that Neal found it in. Neal personally met people there to clean it out, fix what needed to be fixed and get it on the market. In a market where homes take very long to sell, Neal got my husband an offer and it closed in just a few months from time of listing to the end of the transaction.
Neal handled every problem that came up and was very good about keeping in touch. Unfortunately for Neal and me, my husband is not on email, nor does he scan or text. You know who was the middle woman in the transaction and poor Neal had to constantly call me and email me for whatever he needed.
Through it all Neal was cheerful, competent, professional and an all around good friend. He even paid me a referral! He went above and beyond the call of duty and I am grateful to him for a job well done! If you have referrals for the Weston Florida area, or anywhere thereabouts, you would do well to send them to Neal Bloom. You will not be disappointed.
Susan C. Mangigian
1595 Paoli Pike, Suite 101,West Chester, PA 19380
610-719-1700 main office, 610-299-6237 cell
Did you realize you could search for homes? Or just keep an eye on your own neighborhood? Just click the link and sign up! It's free! Don't forget to include your email and you'll have all the latest listings emailed to you. ChesterCounty360.com. You will be asked to register. I will make a quick call to say hey. If you are not interested in having me call you or email you, you can tell me, I'll respect your wishes. I do want to help, and I won't be a pest. Sign in! It's a great site.
Please visit me on facebook: www.facebook.com/chestercounty360 
Susan, What a great story! I had the pleasure of meeting Neal in Orlando at Raincamp and he is everything you said he is...One GREAT man :) I love these stories. And, I love you!!!!
Glad to hear the nightmare is over with the house. Way to go Neal!
Susan- That is great that you were able to refer someone you felt like you already knew. Congrats to both you and Neal!
What a wonderful testimonial you've just written for Neal. It's true, through this venue we really do get to learn about a person's knowledge level, ethics and communication style - perfect for making quality referrals.
ERCG, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Neal yet, but hopefully someday! He went above and beyond!
Kristi, it's the only way to refer. RE/MAX won't be happy that I don't always pick a RE/MAX agent, you have to pick the best agent for the job and one you know.
Karen, thank you and I agree!
Susan...
How nice that you could get your "brother" to take care of this important transaction for you. How cool is that?
Richard, I forgot to add that! His my little brother and I am his big Sis on this forum and over on Facebook!
Richard, I just edited it to include that! xxoo
I'm not surprised someone as dedicated to his business as Neal seems would do a great job for his clients. I'm glad it all worked out and you're sweet to share such a great testimonial with all of us. I'm sure this will come back to you both 10 fold :-)
Fantastic story Susan ! What a comfort to know you have someone like Neal in your corner to handle this transaction. Great testimonial :o)
That's what it's all about isn't it? And some sales are not easy, especially when an estate is involved. Glad to hear a happy outcome.
Wow Thanks sis...I'm deaply grateful.
Susan
It always good to hear an ActiveRain success story.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Good guy, that Neal.
The power of Social Networking at work ... cool, eh?
That's great! I have to agree about ActiveRain referrals.....this is the place to find the BEST!
Colleen, he really did such a great job and took care of every problem that came up!
Sheldon, the same would have been written about you... can't wait to refer you someday!
Phil, it was complicated and the house was very run down by the tenant. Trashed really. Neal took the bull by the horns and took care of everything!
Neal, we are the ones who are grateful!
Lou thank you!
Hi Sardi! it is pretty cool, isn't it?
Ann, I agree. Neal was the best man for the job, that's for sure!
Social networking at it's best, that is a nice testimonial for Neal. It means alot when it comes from ones peers
This is what I love about our friendship network! I know I can refer with complete confidence and hope that I will have the opportunity to throw business right back to those who have supported me.
Neal's a pretty cool guy and I think you're a real swell chick to give him this glowing testimonial :)
Gerry, so true! I can't wait to refer you!
Jen, he did a great job! :-)
Susan - Very kind of you to write a testimonial for Neal. I haven't ever spoken to him, although we've interacted online for several years off and on. I'm not surprised that your experience with him was a good one.
Proves once again that all Real Estate is LOCAL, and PERSONAL.
Jason, he was the absolute best!
Pat, Ben and Martin, you are so right.
Neal has always been a class act. And way back about four years ago, he was the one who started and coordinated the AR Week In Review, bringing a lot of attention to some deserving bloggers.
John, he's a great guy!
That is a lovely testimonial and I suspect the tip of the iceberg for referrals placed in the rain. I, too, used to place referrals either with RE/MAX of with CRS, but here you really get a feel for people and who they are.
A great testimonial & recommendation for Neal. It's great how AR works.
Hi Susan, I really enjoyed this post because it illustrates my favorite part of AR, the ability to actually get to know others from across the country in a more meaningful way. Of course this makes it so much easier when referring business! I have seen Neal now and then here and will drop by to subscribe to his blog right after leaving this comment!
I have made incredible relationships, thnak you AR I have learned a lot, I have shared a lot and I must say I have meet great people here
What a wonderful testimonial! Having followed Neal on Activerain since my beginning here, I've no doubt he's a caring and competent real estate agent who gives his all to clients. Congratulations to you both.
Hi Susan...Now Neal would not mind calling and emailing you. We all know that. After all, who would?
Active Rain has been a wonderful place to get to know other agents from all over the country. As a former RE/MAX agent for nine years my thoughts initially went to RE/MAX agents for referrals. Since joining Active Rain...that's my referral source.
I'm happy for you, Neal, JJ, the kittens, the boys, and your hubby.
Susan.. this is awesome and many paid it forward in this story... and I have spoken to Neal a few times.. a nice tribute to neal...thanks for sharing this.
Mangigs,
This is what AR is all about...not just the education and sharing of real estate war stories, but the friendships and business relationships we have developed. This was a well deserved featuure and a great testimonial for Neal.
Wow that was a great story. Don't you love when you already know the perfect REALTOR for the job? AR gives us the opportunity to know a lot of great REALTORS all over the nation. Great blog!
Susan (and Neal),
What a great testimonial to the power of AR and the relationships we forge here! What a win-win.
Ha Ha...you even got a featured post using my name...now that's funny! Good for you Susan!
All I can say is being one of the few who were on this network from the beginning back in 2006....I've seen so many changes here. Anyone who knows me would know that I was pretty active writing posts. I have slowed down quite a bit. Luckily with people like Susan and her husband..they've kept me busy and so it's been difficult to write more often like I used to. But from all the past posts I've written...it's obvious to the value I've gained...friendship of my peers all across the country...business referrals. I wish I had more time to participate on AR like I used to but it's difficult these days and finding a good article to write about. I really try to put out good content on every post I write. I do know I've written a few clunkers or two. I love writing but in the end my job of over 16 yrs is being a Realtor and that comes first. I will try harder to make contact more with the people who have supported me...thank you again Susan.
Geri, I'm not sure RE/MAX International would be too happy with me. If I know a RE/MAX agent on this site, they would get first dibs, but otherwise, I'm going with who I have learned to know and trust!
Lyn, it really is!
Russell, of course AR is great because through it, I met you! And wrote a post about what a great job you did for my friend's daughter! I love the fact that I know your character through your writing and that you are not a name on a list of agents in an area.
Ken, I agree!
Margaret, thank you. He is a great guy and a great Realtor!
Kate, I'm on my way over to read Lindy's post. You are one of the gems I found here in the rain!! xxoo
Jeff, thank you!
Thank you William!
Tni, Active rain makes it easy to know just who to refer! Thank you!
Irene, a great win-win!
Little Bro, I haven't been featured for quite some time so you sir, are my good luck charm! Thank you for everything Neal!
Hi Susan.. You have inspired me to post my referral story ...you are a beautiful person both inside and out .
HelpfulHannah
What a great story and it most definitely makes selling a ton easier when you have someone that you can trust, rely upon, and who gets the job done. Thank you for writing this post. It is a lesson to follow.
What a great story and testament to the level of people we have here in the rain!
Hi Hannah! What a lovely thing to say! xxoo
Barb, thank you for the nice comment.
Betsy, thank you!
I made a referral to a fellow AR member a few weeks ago and today I received one from an AR member--it is much better than looking up companies/names, making a "blind choice" and hoping for a positive outcome.
Thanks for sharing this great referral story. I never get tired of hearing them! I subscribe to Neal's blog and from that it's easy to see that he is honest, ethical, and really cares about the people in the transaction.
Norma, that's great!!
Barb, He's a great guy!
This is what AR is about. Very good professionals, very good people become very good online friends. Everyone is a winner including our clients. I have been fortunate to speak to Susan and Neal over the years and would trust special clients to both.
Congratulations to you both!
Margaret
What an awesome testimonial. Congrats to everyone involved!! Active Rain is the best.
I enjoyed this post. It was a warm sharing of how a referral can go, how it should go, what can happen when you get the right person. I am enjoying meeting people and friends here on Active Rain.
I have made some wonderful friendships here in the past 4 months, and this is the very best way to refer. :) Great story.
Susan ~ Congratulations to you both for helping each other in what seemed like it could have been difficult situation. It is kinda of strange that we can trust the agents more on Active Rain than anywhere else. I have made some great friends here that I have not even met. When I went to RainCamp I felt like I already knew them and we had a ton of fun. Wish it was more often and closer.
It's always very encouraging to read these success stories on AR. Congrats to both of you for making a strong relationship in both your business and personal life! I just had my first referral success on AR as well... do I smell a blog post coming?
Hi Dear Margaret! I consider you an online friend too!
Charles, yes it is!
Navona, it's a great place for give and take.
Gail, thanks!
June, I had a great time at one of the raincamp parties! It was so nice to meet people in prson!
Georgina, thank you! I'll look forward to reading your post. Please post the link here!