ActiveRain Community

Celebrating Patricia Feager: A Beacon of Positivity During ActiveRain Member Appreciation MonthAs we celebrate ActiveRain Member Appreciation Month, it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the members who consistently bring light, wisdom, and positivity to our community. Among the many outstanding contributors, Patricia Feager from Flower Mound, Texas, stands out as a true beacon of inspiration whose blog posts have become a source of encouragement and motivation for countless ActiveRain members.A Voice of Optimism in Real EstateIn an industry that can often feel overwhelming with market fluctuations, challenging transactions, and competitive pressures, Patricia Feager's blog posts serve as a refreshing reminder of what makes real estate truly rewarding. Her writing consistently r... 02/04/2026

Celebrating a Genuine Voice in Our ActiveRain Community Introduction Among these outstanding contributors, the first blogger I want to highlight is Dennis Neal—someone whose consistent, thoughtful comments on my posts have greatly enriched my experience on ActiveRain. His well-articulated responses demonstrate genuine interest and foster deeper reflection, helping to build a sense of community and collaboration. His kindness and authentic engagement serve as a reminder of the importance of meaningful connections in online communities, inspiring us all to contribute with care and support. So, let’s explore why this person’s kindness truly makes a difference—and how his responses can inspire us all. A Reflection on Genuine Engagement At its core, the internet often feels like a sea of fle... 02/02/2026

This month Patricia Feager and  Lew Corcoran are celebrating AR Appreciation Month for our Real Estate Heroes. This challenge gives you one, two, three, or four chances to shower gratitude on one AR Member per post. Since communication is key to building relationships, is there someone you want to give a shout out for that has made a difference in your life?   This month Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran are celebrating AR Appreciation Month for our Real Estate Heroes. This challenge gives you one, two, three, or four chances to shower gratitude on one AR Member per post. Since communication is key to building relationships, is there someone you want to give a shout out for that has made a difference in your life?    Testimonials Are Fun to Give & Receive For this challenge, who do you h... 02/04/2026

Just read an interesting article about texting, which seems to be a major part of most people’s lives these days. Even if we don’t personally text a lot, seems we’re all on the receiving end of these communications.I never really thought about texting “styles” but apparently there are some. The article begins by noting Emmanuel Jamir, a sketch comedy content creator from New York, is a proud member of the “paragraph texter” club.The article says we’ll know Jamir has arrived to the group text when we receive long, big blocks of prose. For him, sending jumbo texts is just about efficiency.“Paragraphs make it easier for me to divulge information,” Jamir, 22, told HuffPost. “When I send paragraphs I’m usually explaining something or trying to convey a thought.”“Plus, I don’t want to blow up... 02/01/2026

We are off and running into the new year.  I can't believe we are here but time does fly.  Don't let this opportunity pass you by.  Give thanks for all the great folks we have met and we appreciate.  It is a short month so don't put this opportunity off or it might be too late.   This month Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran are celebrating AR Appreciation Month for our Real Estate Heroes. This challenge gives you one, two, three, or four chances to shower gratitude on one AR Member per post. Since communication is key to building relationships, is there someone you want to give a shout out for that has made a difference in your life?    Testimonials Are Fun to Give & Receive For this challenge, who do you honor and respect by letting them know how much they are appreciated? Does the AR M... 02/01/2026

🙏Kathy is so Sweet! ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI always enjoy participating in the monthly #ActiveRainChallenge. I am grateful that Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran are hosting this month's challenge. There are so many in the Rain who are worthy of my gratitude, so the most difficult thing for me in entering this challenge is choosing just 4 to talk about, haha. I pray that those left out will not feel slighted and will still know that I love and appreciate them!I am sure that everyone in the Rain has had a positive experience with Kathy Streib at least once. She is always so nice to everyone and encouraging! If you haven't connected with her in the Rain, you will certainly want to do so because I can't think of an... 02/09/2026

🙏Jeff is the Dude! ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI always enjoy participating in the monthly #ActiveRainChallenge. I am grateful that Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran are hosting this month's challenge. There are so many in the Rain who are worthy of my gratitude, so the most difficult thing for me in entering this challenge is choosing just 4 to talk about, haha. I pray that those left out will not feel slighted and will still know that I love and appreciate them!I am sure that everyone in the Rain knows about the amazing market reports that Jeff Dowler, CRS does! I have known him for a long time in the Rain, and his market reports have always inspired me to do a better job with market reports in my area. He is a lot... 02/05/2026

 Do I Run Because I See the Bear… or Do I See the Bear Because I Run?“Am I afraid because I see the bear…or do I see the bear because I am afraid?” Those were the first words I heard in my Intro to Psychology class in 1966, and somehow that question has stayed with me for decades.Fast-forward many years, and the question shows up again, this time in sales:Am I excited because I made the sale? Or did I make the sale because I was excited? Am I happy because I’m succeeding? Or am I succeeding because I’m happy?We live in two worlds. There’s the outer world, what we see, what happens to us.And there’s the inner world, our thoughts, emotions, and state of mind.In truth: They are equal… but the inner world comes first.You hear it today as: “We don’t attract what we want. We attract what we a... 02/01/2026

🙏Candice is a Hoot! ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI always enjoy participating in the monthly #ActiveRainChallenge. I am grateful that Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran are hosting this month's challenge. There are so many in the Rain who are worthy of my gratitude, so the most difficult thing for me in entering this challenge is choosing just 4 to talk about, haha. I pray that those left out will not feel slighted and will still know that I love and appreciate them!For those of you who know Candice A. Donofrio, I am sure that you would agree that she is a complete hoot, haha. For those of you who don't know her personally, I am sure that you have realized what an intelligent and knowledgeable person she is. She is mai... 02/04/2026

My story with Active Rain and this Ha Ha member began upon the recommendation of my then Dirt Road Real Estate broker Judith Ritter. I joined Active Rain in 2018. Shortly thereafter, Brian England extended a warm and welcoming hand along with his infamous "Ha Ha" signature.Later when I learned of all the Meet Ups held by Active Rain members, I reached out to Brian. He graciously offered to set up a meet up with other Active Rain Members within the Phoenix Area.On July 11, 2022, I traveled the 3 hours plus  from Mohave County, Golden Valley, AZ and met other involved Active Rain Members including Steffy Hristova , Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ , and Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI. The lunch was enjoyable however getting to meet everyone in person was  even better.Since t... 02/02/2026

🙏Barbara Todaro Rocks! ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI always enjoy participating in the monthly #ActiveRainChallenge. I am grateful that Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran are hosting this month's challenge. There are so many in the Rain who are worthy of my gratitude, so the most difficult thing for me in entering this challenge is choosing just 4 to talk about, haha. I pray that those left out will not feel slighted and will still know that I love and appreciate them!Barbara Todaro  hasn't been active in the Rain for a while, but I am certain that everyone reading this who knows her feels the same way that I do about her. She came back into the Rain for a bit, so it gave us all hope that she would get active again. I... 02/02/2026

The Power of Compact Innovation  Offsite Builder’s February 2026 issue delivers a powerful look at big opportunities in small packages, spotlighting the ideas reshaping the future of offsite construction. Inside, we explore the rise of shippable microfactories, break down the ADU business model and why it’s gaining momentum, and showcase cutting-edge show homes that are changing how modular is marketed and sold. You’ll also find insights on expanding modular’s footprint into new markets, along with practical strategies, innovation trends, and real-world examples that prove smaller, smarter solutions are driving the next wave of industry growth.  Offsite Builder is the go-to publication for the offsite construction industry – it’s out in print and on the way to homes and offices nationwi... 02/02/2026

Modular construction doesn’t advance by sudden revolutions. Instead, it evolves step by step.For decades, we’ve built modules in centralized factories, shipped them over long distances and set them into place with a crane. It’s a proven system with enormous efficiencies, but it has limitations. Transportation adds cost, complexity, size restrictions and scheduling risk; crane work brings its own challenges.In recent years, however, I’ve seen something new emerging. Microfactories represent a fascinating shift.Rather than assuming the factory must stay in one location, what if it could come to the project? Transportation would become a minor line item instead of a major cost.Microfactories are designed with that idea in mind. They’re compact, automated, flexible and deployable. Some can ... 02/01/2026

“Fun Fact Friday is a reminder that learning never stops, and sometimes the biggest surprises come from unlearning what we thought we knew.” -Carol WilliamsI am starting a new weekly series. “Fun Fact Friday is a reminder that learning never stops, and sometimes the biggest surprises come from unlearning what we thought we knew.”  -Carol Williams I am starting a new weekly series. Here is the first entry for Fun-Fact Friday.Myth: You must wash your hands in hot water Fact: Water temperature has nothing to do with getting your hands cleanThere is no scientific evidence that washing your hands with hot water is more effective than with cold or warm water for removing germs. Yep, that is one of those myths we all grew up being taught and believing.  According to the CDC and multiple scient... 02/01/2026

The US has been struggling to produce affordable housing. We’ve had this problem for years, but it has now become more acute than ever. And it’s only going to get worse.What does the term “affordable housing” mean? Affordability is determined by many factors, one of which is the region or area in which the home is being built, but, in general, “affordable housing” is housing for people who earn a household income of less than 60% of the area median income (AMI). Regardless of region, affordable housing is only affordable to those living in it. It’s not affordable to build, so it typically must be subsidized by a state/federal entity, or by some other group.But what about people who don’t qualify for affordable housing, but still struggle to afford shelter in the area where they live? Th... 01/31/2026

Posts Just For You - This Week at ActiveRain January 25 to January 31, 2026  Every day, there is something to learn here at ActiveRain.  With this series, I highlight posts that gave me that lightbulb moment. It could be something techie, a post about Real Estate or other professions, about a place, or a person. Or, it could be a post that made me sit up and take notice! January 25:  Jeff Dowler   The Great Kindness Challenge 2026   I love the idea of this challenge in our schools. If your school missed it this year, why not start something like it in your own area…or with your own children! John Martino   Questions NJ Home Inspectors Can not Answer Good explanation!  What do you think???  January 26:  Dick Greenberg    It Has Been A WhileI miss Dick’s Grab Bag posts and his Sensai-Gras... 02/01/2026

Last year I wrote a post about a move to a new company.  The opportunity at the time presented a lot of great things.  After a year, though, a new opportunity presented itself and the right move for me was to go back to where I spent a decade of my life & career.As of this week, I'm officially back with MasonMac.  This time, though, my role is simple: Loan Officer.  I haven't focused on originating mortgages and building a pipeline since 2017, when I began a foray into mortgage management.  Management presented unique opportunities and challenges that, while rewarding, are often draining.  And while industry leadership is still a calling, for now at least, my focus is on customers, referral partners, and loans.  And for loans, I can't think of a better place to be - MasonMac offers so m... 01/30/2026

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Modular construction revolutionizes the traditional approach to building homes by pre-assembling most components off-site. Subsequently, these elements are integrated into modules, akin to assembling LEGO pieces. These sizable modules are then transported to the home site on carriers via large trucks and pieced together in a systematic manner on a pre-prepared foundation, which could also be prefabricated off-site. What modular construction does is reduce or eliminate many of the risks in construction. These include:- **Schedule Risks**: By concurrently fabricating modules indoors while the site's excavation and foundation work progresses, the overall construction timeline is notably shortened. This approach minimizes delays typically caused by subcontractor availability and adverse wea... 01/30/2026

 (A Home Improvement Cautionary Tale)Years ago, I was standing in my kitchen, looked into the family room, and had a realization no homeowner wants to have: “A guy could be standing in there and I wouldn’t even see him.” The room was that dark. Clearly, the solution was obvious.We needed a skylight.So we called a contractor and decided—since we were at it to add a skylight in the dining room and hallway too. Simple upgrade, right? Well… the light came in. And that’s when the trouble started. Because once the room was bright, we could suddenly see things. Like the fact that the interior doors looked tired. And the paint wasn’t helping. And the patio door really had to go. Which led to:New patio doors (family room and a bedroom)New windowsNew flooringTwo new patiosRaising the ceiling in o... 01/30/2026