WHY BLOG...WHY ACTIVE RAIN...???
Several Years ago I met a fellow Title Agent, Ed Rybczynski, at a Title Insurance seminar. He was on the Title circuit speaking against RESPA violations, and warning those in the Title Business that prison and heavy fines await those who boldly violate RESPA standards.
Ed Ryb, as he is affectionately referred to, has since left the Title Business to pursue other career opportunities, but remains for me the singlemost inspiration that got me involved in BLOGGING, and more specifically, BLOGGING ON ACTIVE RAIN, a website for Real Estate Professionals which has grown from under 50,000 members to now well over 200,000.
Active Rain is perhaps the only glimmer of hope in an industry rife with negative news for nearly 6 years now...AND...
For those unfamiliar with RESPA, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, it is the federal law enacted in the mid 70's and revised several times since, designed to regulate closing practices, and create a uniform settlement statement that could be used nationwide to gather valuable information that would impact on positive changes in our system of property ownership in the United States. As such, RESPA was to be policed by HUD, The department of HOUSING and URBAN DEVELOPMENT, who would insure countrywide compliance.
History has shown that RESPA, like many other government programs, was underenforced and underprioritized...THAT IS...
Until the recent BUBBLE BURST in the real estate market led by the SUB PRIME fiasco and the subsequent collapses of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...AFTER WHICH...
The market itself eliminated much of what and who was wrong with the REAL 
ESTATE INDUSTRY...
So...to answer the questions WHY BLOG and WHY ACTIVE RAIN...???
Because they are THE PROFESSIONAL WAYS to promote and bring transparency to all involved with the sale and purchase of Real Estate...
And, in so doing, promote PROFESSIONALISM within and around the industry in which I have chosen to build a career and reputation...
I invite you to follow me in these endeavors...AND...
Have a great weekend...!!!
