The Ugliest Words In The English Language - 04/28/11 08:15 PM
This blog by Glenn reminds me of the story of the wife that cut the end off a roast before cooking it.  When asked why she did it, she replied, "I don't know, my mother always did it that way." She called her mother.  Her mother's response was the same.  The mother called her mother and asked why she cut the end off the roast, her answer....
"My pan was never big enough to fit the whole roast."
It is important to follow tradition, but you just have to know the WHY! 
Changes are happening and Glenn's post really hits the nail … (1 comments)

Getting back in the RAIN and I need some HELP - 04/27/11 11:30 PM
Charlene Perry needs your help!  I know you have had settlements go right or go horribly wrong.  Please share your ideas with Charlene, you never know what can come of these conferences that will help you in future transactions!
Please post your comments on Charlene's blog!
Thanks!   Maryland Mortgage Mama
Via CHARLENE PERRY (THE PREFERRED TITLE GROUP, INC. ):
I have been very lax in posting for about the last month or so.  It's not that I haven't had anything to say, it's that I have been busy with some other things that have just been all consuming.
I have been invited to speak … (2 comments)

Clark's Elioak Farm-A Great Place to Visit or for a Children's Birthday Party in Maryland - 04/27/11 10:22 PM
Clark's Elioak Farm-A Great Place to Visit or for a Children's Birthday Party in Maryland
My daughter was invited to Clark's Elioak Farm for a birthday party last week.  We have been there many times before for pre-school field trips and children's birthday parties.  It's one of my daughter's favorite places to go.

Upon entering Clark's Farm, I am transported to my own childhood.  As a kid, we often were lucky enough to go to The Enchanted Forest, a wonderful land full of storybook characters and mechanical rides.  I can remember driving antique cars and riding in Mother Goose boats, and peering … (5 comments)

31 Day Challenge for May 2011 ~ earn 3,000 BONUS points - 04/27/11 07:33 PM
Oh My Goodness! What am I getting myself into? I could use the points boost since I am trying to get in Maryland's Top 50 by the end of the summer, but really?  Every Day? Really? 
I am going to do my best and I am looking forward to reading the blogs and hopefully growing in my blog-ability!
I already have some ideas:  credit education, day trips in and around Baltimore, Margaret Rome's Garden Party...just those items should keep me busy for at least a week or more!
I am up for the challenge, are you?
 
Via Christina ONeal ~ Ripon, California realtor … (5 comments)

Let's Have a Party..an ActiveRain Garden Party.. The Rome Way! Wednesday May 4th! - 04/27/11 07:11 PM
This will be a can't miss event! 
Be sure to check out the video of the the last Active Rain Gathering here... Everyone is welcome for a good time and good fellowship! If you have a client looking for a fabulous property or just want to talk about the power of blogging, stop by!  You might even get to meet my Sydney!
Hope to see you there!!
 
Via HomeRome Realty Author:Real Estate the Rome Way 410-530-2400:
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Let's Have a Party..an ActiveRain Garden Party.. The Rome Way!  Wednesday May 4th!   You are invited to   Garden Party Lunch..                                                 Hosted by Margaret … (4 comments)

I bought a house sight unseen! - 04/25/11 09:13 AM
I bought a house sight unseen!
In the midst of my kitchen renovation, I bought a house sight unseen.  It must have been a great deal because as I wandered through the old rancher seeing the outdated bathrooms (light blue toilet and sink, mismatched and missing wall tiles) and tiny kitchen with one small row of cabinets, I was not sure what I had gotten myself into.  I am in the midst of spending a good deal of money on the brand new cabinets, granite and appliances in the house I already have, what was I thinking?
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC … (6 comments)

Cirque du Soleil Totem in Baltimore April and May 2011 - 04/22/11 11:22 PM
Cirque du Soleil Baltimore Totem  April and May 2011
Have you been wondering what the big blue and yellow tents are on the side of 95 as you travel into Baltimore?  Wonder no more!  The big blue and yellow tents are the "Grand Chapiteau", an over 2500 seat, climate controlled Big Top built to house Cirque Du Soleil's Totem in Baltimore.  The waterfront area in the Westport area of Baltimore City began it's more than $1 billion renewal with a $1 million parking lot which is housing the Big Top through May 1st, 2011.  When Cirque's Totem leaves Baltimore, the parking lot will remain.  Located on the … (4 comments)

Move Right In!! - 04/21/11 11:54 AM
community,baltimore county,3902 misty view rd,middle river,real estate,home for sale … (4 comments)

Why I Blog.... NOT...Why You Should Blog! - 04/21/11 07:42 AM
Through blogging I have met friends and mentors, shared triumphs and learned about the Real Estate market and myself.   I am not always consistent-blame it on time constraints...but I have improved in my writing as I have continued to blog.  I hope that I have been able to teach, to share, to inspire, and I hope that I can continue to do so.
Today I will be attending the GBBR (Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors) Rookie Society presentation by Margaret Rome. It will be my first GBBR event since joining.  I know that Margaret will share pearls of wisdom that can … (4 comments)

Team in Training Fundraiser-I Am Continually Amazed By The Generosity! - 04/20/11 12:42 AM
Team in Training Fundraiser-I Am Continually Amazed By The Generosity!
I held a fundraiser for Team in Training to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma at Monaghan's Pub in Gwynn Oak, Maryland on Sunday.
I
When I first put out the word about my fundraising goal and  fundraiser here on ActiveRain and on Facebook Friends and Family stepped up quick.  Baltimore Realtor Margaret Rome (Home Rome), Prince George's County Realtor Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh (EOP Real Estate)and Carroll County Realtor Carol Fertitta (YWGC) quickly donated to my cause.  Mary Yonkers a Realtor from Erie, PA who I met when Margaret Rome had a Baltimore … (2 comments)

Catonsville Restaurants-Chef Paolino, A Family Favorite - 04/17/11 10:38 AM
Catonsville Restaurants-Chef Paolino, A Family Favorite

Our kitchen is in the midst of construction so we decided to head out for dinner, but where to go?  The Catonsville Chamber of Commerce has done a fabulous job of bringing a wide variety of new restaurant options to Catonsville.  There are also many wonderful restaurants that have been around for as long as I can remember (and beyond!)
We decided to head to a local Catonsville Favorite, Chef Paolino, just off Frederick Road.  Our family has  been a fan of Chef Paolino since they opened at 726 Frederick Road, (it's actually just … (3 comments)

My Husband Took My 5 Year Old To A Peep Show! - 04/17/11 09:17 AM
My Husband Took My 5 Year Old To A Peep Show!
Well to be honest, I was there too.  Wait!  Before you call Child Protective Services, it was the
4th Annual PeepShow at the Carroll County Art Council
91 W. Main Street  Westminster, MD 21157

There are some crazy talented people creating masterpieces out of Peeps! These folks didn't listen when mom told them not to play with their food!
 

The entries were created by local artists, individuals and groups.  There were Peep Bunnies, Peep Chicks, even Peep Christmas Trees....some folks really plan ahead. Some used the entire … (10 comments)

$525 for an appraisal? That darn lender! - 04/16/11 01:16 PM
$525 for an appraisal?  That darn lender!
In a featured post by Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind  Question It! "Who Got the appraisal fee and why?" Gabrielle questioned the fee for the cost for an appraisal on a lender's estimate.  While I commend Gabrielle for looking out for her client, I was very surprised at some of the comments left on her post making it seem like the loan officer was benefitting from this fee.
The government changes the regulations with regard to how appraisals are handled and as seems to be the typical response, the loan officers seem to be the scapegoat.  Your … (4 comments)

100% Mortgage Loan Financing in Baltimore-Margaret Rome was my connection. - 04/12/11 11:17 AM
100% Mortgage loan financing in Baltimore-Margaret Rome was my connection. 
I had the most wonderful closing with a lovely couple this month. 
It all started when I got a call from Barbara McLain of Action Realty.  She said that she had shown a client a condo that was listed by Margaret Rome.  Margaret had recommended me to her and she wanted to talk to me about her client. The client was very special to her, and she wanted to be sure that she would be well taken care of.  After we spoke, Barbara had her client Pat contact me.

Pat and I spoke and hit it off immediately.  Pat is a very … (5 comments)

Texting while driving: at what cost? Remembering Bob King. - 04/11/11 02:00 AM
PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES, YOUR CO-WORKERS, STRANGERS ON THE STREET. 
This is the real story of loss as a direct result of texting while driving.  This is not media hype, this is a real man, with a real family and real friends.  This is a good man, and obviously a great father who was promoting MOTORCYCLE Safety who's life was cut short because someone just had to write LOL, or talk about last night's date.
We have become a society where the microwave isn't fast enough.  Communication has to be immediate...is it necessary?  Is whatever you are texting really worth a life?
Put … (4 comments)

Best way to get your blog noticed by google. - 04/10/11 08:38 AM
Best way to get your blog noticed by google.
Here's just one more thing I learned at RainCamp Atlantic City:  Everything has an order, even blogs. Writing your blog in the right order can be the best way to get your blog noticed by google.
Proper Title Create white space to give eyes and brains a chance to pause while reading Tag blog to help with internal organization and show relevance of related terms Repeat proper title Put blog in draft Add pictures, color, hyperlinks Grammar check, spell check Repeat title verbatim Add embedded videos DEAD LAST-google will stop searching the content … (13 comments)

Join Me Saturday April 9th @ Oregon Ridge.....5K Run/2K Walk Kilometers For Kids - 04/06/11 09:59 PM
If you are looking for a way to get some exercise and help a great cause join our own Margaret Rome on Saturday, April 9th.
You can continue your exercise for a cause by joining our own Dr. Stacey Ann Baugh and I on a 5 mile walk around beautiful downtown Bowie on Sunday, April 10th.  The funds on Sunday are being raised to fight MS.
Oooohh!  Keep the love going and join us for food and music on Sunday, April 17th from 2-6 at Monaghan's Pub just outside Baltimore.  This fundraiser will benefit Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma … (6 comments)

Get your blog noticed-Four Steps to DOMINATE Google! - 04/06/11 04:16 PM
Get your blog noticed-Four Steps to Dominate Google!
Sorry, but I "borrowed" this picture from Steven's profile.  None of my pictures of Steven turned out.
 
One of the questions that bloggers old and new ask is "How can I get my blog noticed by google?"  This question was answered in an another amazing presented by Steven  "#1 blog trainer" Graham during RainCamp Atlantic City "Get your blog noticed-Four Steps to DOMINATE Google!"

1.  Proper Title:  Think search term instead of title.  When you take out the geographical information, the pronouns and the non-essential words (the, a, of, etc.) you get the search … (9 comments)

Reputation Architecture-RainCamp Atlantic City Day 1 - 04/05/11 09:31 AM
Reputation Architecture is the theme of RainCamp Atlantic City.  Day 1 
When I hear the word architecture I think of beautiful, historic buildings that have stood the test of time. It's the craftsmanship and detailing that awe me.   I think of modern buildings that highlight the details of the vision of the architect, executed so beautifully by all those involved in the project. It is paying close attention to the details, as well as the end result.   No building, no matter how beautiful will stand if the foundation is weak.   

Reputation architecture to me is building how others precieve me and my business.  … (33 comments)

RainCamp Atlantic City - And so it begins! - 04/04/11 02:18 PM
Even the sky is smiling.
All the village is in place.  I tried to give my husband last minute instructions on what he would need to do to help the village manage my daughter's schedule.  As you can imagine, those instructions were NOT appreciated.  "Do you think I don't know how to be a DAD?"  No, but I know you don't know how to be a MOM!!  He is amazing and I am blessed!  
I arrived at Ceaser's Atlantic City at about 1:15 AM after a full day of friends, family and Iron Girl Training.  The drive was an easy one, although … (2 comments)

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About PhotoBlogging But Were Afraid To Ask - 04/03/11 11:40 AM
If you have seen my blogs you know that I have some real trouble placing my photographs (or those taken by Papa Razzi).  It is truly something I need to work on.  I hope that you will take the time to read, view the amazing photos and watch the videos.  This is great stuff!  Thanks William.  I think my blog may have been the inspiration.  My next blog will hopefully look very different thanks to William!!
 
Via San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-Pro CDPE (RE/MAX Associates):
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About PhotoBlogging But Were Afraid To Ask
… (5 comments)

Lovely Townhome in Owings Mills, Another Margaret Rome Listing! - 04/03/11 08:16 AM
… (2 comments)