The Bus has left Ardell’s: Blog Tour USA
Rhonda Porter on 07 28, 2007
[photopress:IMG_5513.JPG,thumb,alignright]I’ve been waiting for Ardell to do a follow up post on Blog Tour USA’s stop in Seattle. What was I thinking? Ardell was the host and an incredible one at that. She was far too busy to be snapping photos all day long (like I was). Without further ado, I present to you Blog Tour USA, Seattle.
[photopress:IMG_5473.JPG,thumb,alignleft]The day began at 10:00 a.m at Zillow, at least it did for some of us. 
Ardell was serving Rudy and Joe her breakfast with homefries so they were a little behind schedule. Joe did let Drew and David G. of Zillow know that their arrival time “was a zestimate”. We received a full tour and afterwards (once Blog Tour USA arrived) the guys from Zillow and Sellsius had a friendly debate over ping pong with Ardell jumping in to referee when needed.
After Zillow, we hoofed it over to Redfin’s office. There was quite a contrast between Zillow and Redfin’s offices. For starters, Redfin is [photopress:IMG_5485.JPG,thumb,alignright]getting ready to move to a new location and they had a big party the night before (umm…and we were still running on our zestimated time…fashionably late). There is a different atmosphere between Zillow and Redfin. When we jokingly asked, “Where’s your ping pong table?” The Redfin reply was “We’re too busy to play games here”.
I had the opportunity to meet with Redfin’s mortgage department. It’s a one man show…literally. He is the sole originator and processes his own loans. He touted that the advantage to working with him is that he charges a flat fee verses other lenders who charge 1%. (Note: not all lenders charge a 1% origination).
[photopress:IMG_5493.JPG,thumb,alignleft]Next, we loaded onto the Blog Tour USA bus and drove to Pike Place Market. The bus is almost like it’s own character (similar to the bus in ”Little Miss Sunshine“). When Joe and Rudy emerge fully loaded witih cameras and a microphone to interview people on the street, the star reaction is amplified. When they asked one lady what a blog was, she answered, “a dance” and of course she gave us an example…she was being filmed!
[photopress:IMG_5510.JPG,thumb,alignleft]Dinner at Ardell’s was fantastic. Kim had been working on ribs since 3 in the afternoon and they were to die for. We also devoured a pasta dish and Ardell’s famous Wedding Meatball Soup. In addition to great food, it was really nice to [photopress:IMG_5521.JPG,thumb,alignright]meet some other fellow bloggers including Larry Cragun from Real Estate Undressed and Tim of The Seattle Bubble. I also had the opportunity to meet fellow RCG contributors for the first time. It’s always great to put the face to the blog!
I am so glad that Rudy and Joe are adventurous. I cannot imagine leaving my family and driving around the USofA to meet real estate bloggers…but I’m glad they did! Ardell was was masterful with her itinerary and homey dinner. In my opinion, the day could not have been better.
Have a safe journey, Guys! For more photos from Blog Tour USA-Seattle, click here.
About the Author: Rhonda Porter
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19 Responses to “The Bus has left Ardell’s: Blog Tour USA”
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Kim started the ribs at 3 A.M., not 3 P.M. but they were awesomely worth the effort, and Joe and Rudy took a big batch of ribs and pasta for the road.
The breakfast didn’t hold up the tour of Zillow and Redfin. Seemed we locals were a whole lot more interested in Zillow and Redfin tours than Joe and Rudy. They wanted to meet Rich Barton or Lloyd Frink, not David G. and Drew. As to Redfin, part of their glamour is to be low key. Their new digs should be a step up…but don’t expect Redfin to EVER look like the 46th floor of Zillow with it’s awesome views. Apples and Oranges.
Redfin will never want to look like they are getting rich off the consumer. It’s contrary to their “mission” and not an image they will ever convey, even if they had the funds to do so. Their charge to consumers would reduce before they’d spend any money on fancy digs, or at least that’s what I believe would happen.
I am intensely grateful that The Tim (Tim Ellis) of Seattle Bubble came with his lovely wife. Their arrival was the highpoint of my day and made all of my efforts worthwhile.
If anyone deserves to be at a party celebrating “The Blogosphere”, it’s Tim of Seattle Bubble. In many ways he is the absolute and indisputable King of Seattle Real Estate Blogging. I’m very happy he took his place at the table…he should have been at the head of the table.
Kim and I very much enjoyed the time we shared with Joe and Rudy, especially here at the house.
My sincere apologies to David G., Drew and Glenn Kelman. I didn’t anticipate that the tag along guests would be more interested in those visits than the guests of honor. In many ways the New Yorkers in Seattle were much like Americans in Europe. I didn’t anticipate that.
Still, I think there were great benefits, much the same as when I refereed Kevin Boer’s first meeting with “Redfin”. Look at the change that made in his viewpoint! Shortly thereafter he was not only not trying to send declarations of war to Glenn via Marie Hagman…he was the first one signing the Bill of Rights! So small changes are worth the difficulties involved in first meetings. I know David G. gets that. Hope Glenn does too.
In many ways Kim and I are still recuperating, as our work got a bit backed up by the hosting efforts. We’re catching up now and will rest when we get to San Francisco for Inman Bloggers Connect and Inman Connect on Tuesday afternoon.
The hardest part was when the sink got clogged with pasta and the kitchen got flooded. Luckily that happened after the guests left and before Joe and Rudy arrived for breakfast the day after, before they headed to Oregon.
Thanks for the cake Rhonda. It was awsome! I preserved the Blog Tour USA portion and we wrapped it up for Joe and Rudy to Take with.
Great pics Rhonda!, I’m sad I missed out! Sounds like Ardell & Co. all were incredible hosts to Rudy and Joe, and I’m glad to see you had such a great time! We definitely have to get together again soon at the Roanoke or wherever. That’s hilarious about the woman thinking a blog was a dance, too funny! LOL!
I’m grateful for meeting Joe and Rudy. It’s impossible to cover the entire day in one post!
Meet Tim and his wife was a highlight for me, too.
Karen, you would have had a great time. It was great conversation, delish food and friends. What’s better than that?
Rhonda, Nice summary of a fun event. Lar
By the way, I’d like to thank the sponsors of Blog Tour USA…today I was wearing my Trulia t-shirt (until my hummingbird feeder malfunctioned).
Karen,
Rudy said she not only said that a blog was a dance, she said you have to wear blogs when you do the dance. Can’t wait to see the podcast.
And if I’m not mistaken, she was actually wearring the blogs when she did the dance. Rudy was surprised I kept a straight face!
Good thing I wasn’t there.
Rhonda,
You missed the part where I left in a huff and almost popped someone in the eye…
Yes, I did!
Ardell, I thought my post was getting a bit long…that’s a good story to save for ???
LOL! Clogs, blogs same thing, ha ha!
That wedding meatball soup looks delicious. Thanks for the pics and updates. I know Joe and Rudy are probably so busy to post since the last date done was for July 16th.
Hi Rhonda,
What a great cake and pictures, too! Thanks for stopping by.
Cynthia, it was nice to meet you and the Redfin crew and to see your office before moving to your new digs.
Hi Rhonda-
It was nice meeting you as well-thanks for coming in.
Thanks, Warren. I enjoyed meeting you, too. It was kind of Redfin to allow our visit considering all you’re going through with the move and the celebration the previous night.
[...] Rhonda picks up on a difference between Zillow and Redfin after touring our respective offices, The Bus has left Ardell’s: Blog Tour USA: After Zillow, we hoofed it over to Redfin’s office. There was quite a contrast between Zillow and Redfin’s offices. For starters, Redfin is getting ready to move to a new location and they had a big party the night before (umm…and we were still running on our zestimated time…fashionably late). There is a different atmosphere between Zillow and Redfin. When we jokingly asked, “Where’s your ping pong table?” The Redfin reply was “We’re too busy to play games here”. [...]
[...] Finally, don’t forget about some of the cool events that lead up to Inman Connect last summer. I held a fiesta, Joe & Rudy took a road trip, Brian took some friends to the track, and Ardell made dinner. For many, these local events forged the way toward establishing relationships at Connect. We’ll be tracking and promoting events like these all they way ut to July. If you’re planning something cool, let us know! [...]