Hi Andy,

I typically type out my response in Word first, before reading any of the responses. After I have completed typing my own thoughts, I go back and read the prior responses before posting mine. I do this to make sure my response is just mine, and I'm not influenced by anyone else’s post. This way, it is truly “my” thoughts and not a mixture of everyone else’s. I don’t mind redundancy though, because I think that just re-enforces to the consumer the validity of each post prior to mine. Very rarely do I change my answer prior to actually posting, but if there is something posted that I disagree with or know isn’t true; I will touch on the subject and add my point of view to what I've already written.

Melissa Mancini, Realtor, CBR, GRI

Tue Aug 7 2007, 19:16

Hi everyone, thanks for the great answers!

The reason I asked is because I was examining my own process and suddenly became curious as to how other members of the Voices community approached it.

I usually read the question and then think of my response. Then I usually scan the answers to make sure that I'm not repeating another answer word for word. Then, if it's worth my time, I'll work on crafting a response in an authentic voice that will bring value to the conversation.

What's amazing is that by reading the answers, the members' voices really come through and you can get a good indication of someone's personality and whether they're the type of person that you'd be a good fit and work well with.

Tue Aug 7 2007, 10:00

Great question. I rarely do read the other answers until afterwards, unless the last one was short. I try not to let my voice become muddled and influenced. And besides, some of my colleagues here on Trulia have such eloquent answers that I might feel disinclined to answer since I won't have anything useful to add.

There are days when I just read though. In that case I go through the entire thread and will not comment.

Tue Aug 7 2007, 07:45

Hi Andy, I really enjoyed this post. I sincerely enjoy reading everyone's responses whether I agree or disagree anywhere on Trulia. So many great people are sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience and I find that fascinating and wonderful. I typically already know my answer, but like others have mentioned, I try my best to refrain repeating what others have previously stated. Don't want to scare off the newbies and their new questions with boring repetition. Steve & Heather Ostrom

Tue Aug 7 2007, 05:48

I read em first. I like to post when I can either add another insight, a useful link, a rebuttal to someone else opinion or fact , or a bit of gentle humor. There are several Trulia readers who do not like humor one little bit, but I couldn't tell you who they are.

Mon Aug 6 2007, 23:38

Since this question is more of a request for opinions, I'm just going to post another one though my answer is essentially the same as all the others. I always read the rest of the answers before posting my answer, hence why I skip responding to many questions since they've already been well answered by fellow real estate professionals. I am sure to always learn something new if I keep reading the postings before responding, which is always great! Thanks for the post, it was good to know what everyone else thought about this topic.

Mon Aug 6 2007, 23:12

You bet I look! I appreciate the point of view I get from reading other responses. I find it insightful to see what other views are. Especially the ones that differ from my own view. Sometimes it is educational. I don't want to say the same thing everyone else is saying. Sometimes if I can see it has already been said many many times, I will not make a post. Good question. Thanks for asking

Mon Aug 6 2007, 14:41

Is there really ever a completely "right" answer? We all have our own experiences that guide us and the laws that regulate us. Usually, we are redundant - but in a different context.

Just to keep it real - I try not to put too much RE speak in my answers - especially if there are several answers before mine. That's where it's redundant: But I definitely agree; we ALL learn from the process so it's a win win for consumer as well as professional.

We all do the same thing basically - approach is probably the main difference: with priority being second.

I find myself at Trulia's doorstep so much more often than activerain; but go figure!

Mon Aug 6 2007, 13:50

Hi Andy,

I am like Bridgette. I always try to read other answers before replying to a question because I am quite busy, I only want to answer a question if the question is interesting to me and the ones I can add value..

There are a lot of awesome Realtors (or buyer/seller/other professions) from various areas with different degrees of experience who post answers here, so it is quite educational for me. If the question has already been answered and I can't add anything useful to it, I won't do that just to let people know I have the same opinion.

I do change my responses because what I just read might allow me to look at the question and my own answer at a differnt angel, and I might have an answer better than the original one I had in mind.

Sometimes, by reading other answers, and if I feel that the persons who responded did not quite understand the question, I will even rephrase the question to make sure I am answering it correctly.

If there are already 20 answers to one question, I sometimes decide it'd be ridiculous for me to add another answer to it, figuring it'd probably wear the person who posts the question.

Mon Aug 6 2007, 13:27

Andy,
good question! Always. I read the question, formulate my answer, then read the other posts to make sure I have something different and valuable to add to the existing content. If not, I resist the urge to post (this place is addicting!), and move on. 180 degrees from Jeannette... Go figure (I usually agree with her)... Which is correct? Dunno'... Can they both be?

What do you guys think?

Mon Aug 6 2007, 13:13

I try to read the answers first., and then decide if my input is necessary; no need to be redundant. Plus, there seem to be a lot of professionals in here who do a great job.

Mon Aug 6 2007, 13:12

I try to answer the question first - so as not to taint my initial response to a question. I do on occasion read before I post my answer to see if I am in the majority or way off base. Sometimes if I read a question too fast I miss the gist of it, reading the responses gets me back on track.

Mon Aug 6 2007, 13:05