Well, Last Friday was the day.

We had a fabulous Grand Opening Celebration of our new state-of-the-art Fallston office and a great time was had by all in attendance.  The wine was flowing, the crab cakes were tasty, and the flat screens were playing virtual tours (including 360 panoramas) of our office listings. 

Friends, Family, and Colleagues were there to help celebrate a truly grand opening and wish us all well.

  The Maryland blue crabs were seasoned and plentiful, the DJ was working the table, the hors d'oeuvres hit the spot, and the RE/MAX hot air balloon was there in full force.

If you're looking for a real estate professional to help you buy or sell in Harford County, you'd better head on over to 2103 Belair Road to see...

Lanette in Bel Air!

Lanette in Bel Air

Ran into an old friend the other day and a few thoughts came to mind.  Hadn't seen this person in a more than a few years and realized they'd been really busy in the interim.  They'd completed their Master's program (Yay, you!) and they'd been busy creatively expressing their individualism via tatoos and body piercings.  I counted at least 3 piercings and 2 tats.  That's what I could see.  Got me thinking about the bigger picture.

Where do you draw the line between individualism and professionalism? 

Indeed, America is a melting pot, and although I have been know to quip, "I will sell this house to-day!" enroute to a showing or two, I'm pretty confident I'll never melt into that standard ideal of the American (Realtor) Beauty.  I do know how important it is for one to maintain one's individuality, though.

Perhaps I should have prefaced today's post with a simple statement.

I'm not your average Real Estate Agent.  I march to the beat of a different drummer.  Yes, there is a dichotomy at play here.  I'll give you that. I'm out there dealing with the public on a daily basis, yet I'm somewhat of a loner. You say tomato, I say, "gimme one of those red thingees that taste so good." 

I like to do things differently just because I know there's more than one way to accomplish any goal. Sometimes, I like to do things differently just because. I'm a renegade.

So, where does one draw the line?

While I personally would not have an issue with someone in a creative field - musician, graphic artist, poet (you know, the artsy/fartsy type) - sporting tatoos and/or body piercings, I'm thinking I'd definitely do a double-take if my daughter's Pediatrician walked into her next well-child visit with a nose ring and a snake tat peeking out the top of a plumber's crack (muffin top, for the younger set).

I might have to question her professionalism (and thusly her ability to perform her "professional" job?).

What about you?  What if during your next visit to your Lawyer, Doctor, or Realtor; you noticed a tat or two?  Would you question that person's professionalism?

I don't have any tats, in case you were wondering.  Moreover, my only body piercings are of the standard ear lobe type.  No cartiledge, just lobe, 3 in each - 20-something, college thing (don't ask, I won't tell).

IMHO, if one chooses to get a tat, one should definitely choose an inconspicuous spot that would allow one to express one's individuality yet won't compromise one's professionalism.  That's a lotta one's, I know.

I just feel that the job situation is much too tight to have a decision-maker look at you sideways in an interview situation because they can't see beyond your paw print tat sitting atop the twins.  Like it or not, many companies frown upon visible tatoos and piercings. Just saying.

How do you feel about it? Do you have any tatoos or body piercings and how many?  Should the line between individualism and professionalism ever be crossed? Is there really a line? How do you strike a balance between the two?

COMING SOON...RE/MAX COMPONENTS' NEW FALLSTON LOCATION!!!

New state-of-the-art office opening August 1st

 

TOP PRODUCER SPECIAL PRICING STILL AVAILABLE!

We're excited to be opening a new location in the Fallston area

and look forward to servicing the real estate needs

of our wonderful Harford County neighbors, friends, family, and beyond. 

- Please call Jamie Rassi

for a private tour and confidential inverview  410-652-6997

SELLING A HOME IN FOREST HILL?

There are 134 active listings in Forest Hill, Maryland (21050) and 37 under-contract listings.  That's a heck of a lot of competition.

WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE, CONSIDER SOMEONE WITH PROVEN RESULTS

WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT REAL ESTATE!

Outstanding Agents! Outstanding Results!

SERIOUSLY?

It's just one word, yet it's capable of evoking such passion.

  It's one of my very favorite words that somehow seems to creep into my verbal banter on a daily basis (written, as well?),  It's a word that, when used correctly, can elicit an immediate chuckle even if you don't like to 'chuckle'.

It's also THE word on the cover of this week's Bloomberg Businessweek.  Yeah, right there captioning off a too-close-for comfort, close-up of 'Mister' Trump.

________________

I'll let you figure out for yourself what Bloomberg meant by using that one word.  Read the article, digest, then check back to comment.

Meanwhile, my not-so-humble take on Bloomberg's intention --

How it's written: SERIOUSLY?

How it's read: For realz, The Donald, you've got some big ones indeed to even think about wasting my damn time with your ridiculousness.  The Leader of the Free World is about the business of running our country and your side-show shenanigans are an unneccessary and time-consuming distraction.  Matter of fact, while we're showing official docs and all, how's about you produce a certificate for that crazyazz combover*, lil 'mister'.

*thank you to my Facebook friend/cousin Althea for that one!

SELLING A HOME IN ABINGDON?

There are 189 active listings in Abingdon, Maryland (21009) and 88 under-contract listings.  That's a heck of a lot of competition.

WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE, CONSIDER SOMEONE WITH PROVEN RESULTS

WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT REAL ESTATE!

Outstanding Agents! Outstanding Results!

SELLING A HOME IN BEL AIR?

There are 427 active listings in Bel Air, Maryland (21014, 21015) and 125 under-contract listings.  That's a heck of a lot of competition.

WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE, CONSIDER SOMEONE WITH PROVEN RESULTS

WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT REAL ESTATE!

Outstanding Agents! Outstanding Results!

It's back to the basics for me.

There are some basic tools we learned to use in Real Estate 101 and now is the time to pull out the tool bag.  Gotta check my arsenal.

While it's true that the times they are a changin', it's also true that the basics of real estate are ever tried and true.  Old school real estate transactions are still the way to go.  There are a few tweaks here and there, yes-

more sophisticated marketing for those listings (virtual tours, QR codes), phones that do everything just short of calling themselves (wait, I think they might do that too?), serious internet presence (gotta get 'bloggy with it'), the list goes on.

Still, with all the new and improved ways of building a successful real estate business, I haven't lost sight of the fact that, now more than ever, I need to focus on the basics.

There's really no need to re-invent the wheel.

SOI, mailings, e-mail blasts, CMAs, BPOs, neighborhood interaction, lead generation, lead follow-up (imagine that!), buyer seminars, Just Sold, Just Listed, Just Because notifications, 'local expert' notifications...

I'm exhausted.

It's old school all the way, folks.

And that is how I'm going to get your home sold (and/or get you the home you're looking for) --at the right price, for the right terms, at the right time.

That is all.

hinking of Buying a Foreclosure in Bel Air?

Lanette Branch, CDPE, WFHC - RE/MAX 1st Advantage, Bel Air

Foreclosure - REO - Bank-Owned

They all mean the same thing - distressed property - and it could mean a good deal for today's savvy buyer.  This past week, 1 buyer took advantage of the opportunity to purchase one of these deals and closed on a bank-owned property in Bel Air, MD...

49 OAK CREST CT  - listed for $159,900, sold for 97% of list price ($155,000) -  is located in Bright Oaks off of Rte. 924 and within walking distance to shopping at The Festival at Bel Air.

built in 1986, this 3 bedroom, 2 full/1 half bath, 1400 sqft, interior townhome was on the market for 97 days before being scooped up on Wednesday, March 23rd. 

BTW, The Festival at Bel Air is home to a wide variety of stores and shops from Kleins/Shop Rite supermarket to Kohl's and Five Below.  There's even a Chuck E. Cheese where, apparently, a kid can be a kid.

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It's true, you can find some kewl deals in Bel Air.  I'm a real estate agent in Bel Air (it says so on my business card) and I can help you navigate the sometimes rocky course of distressed properties in and around town.  Call me.

Last Week in Bel Air, Maryland (March 20-26th):

• 8 Properties sold

• Sales prices ranged from $155,000 to $500,000

• Average Days on the Market (DOM) was 187

• Average Sold Price was $300,750

• Total sold price (all 8 properties combined) was $2,406,000

Interested in more Bel Air real estate?  Call me, hon.