Who's on your Real Estate Team? - 04/30/12 08:04 PM
Who’s on your Real Estate Team?
My personal opinion is that real estate “teams”, meaning a group of 2 or more agents operating their real estate business as a “team”, is not something I am comfortable with, it is  not my style. Your real estate team should function much like a softball team. You are the pitcher, on the mound surrounded by the other players, catcher (your Realtor®), first base (Lender), second base (Title company) and third base (inspectors: home, well, septic, radon, etc.). The other field positions are filled with licensed contractors who can correct any negotiated issues with the … (13 comments)

Getting out of my comfort zone Part 2 ~ ActiveRain Meet-up with Maryland AR Rockstars! - 04/30/12 06:42 PM
Getting out of my comfort zone Part 2 ~ ActiveRain Meet-up with Maryland AR Rockstars! I was invited to an ActiveRain meet up by a dear AR friend Bridget McGee. If you haven’t met Bridget, especially if you are in Central Maryland, you really should make it a point to met her. She’s kind, outgoing and a fantastic mortgage resource. Bridget mentioned a few of the rainers who would be there, I felt a little intimidated. Margaret Rome, was actually hosting it Martha Brown, Rich Iarossi, Margaret Woda were among the people expected to attend. These are people I admire on … (8 comments)

Computer gremlins & spam ~ Here’s a tip for Gmail users - 04/30/12 08:37 AM
Computer gremlins & spam ~ Here’s a tip for Gmail usersComputers are an integral part of the real estate business today. I am very thankful for computers and the ability to search for homes, share email, social media, maps, you get the picture. I’ve often wondered how real estate professionals accomplished their work before computers came along. I digress.... yesterday I experienced a gremlin attack, why gremlins? Because today, everything appears to be working fine and I’m not doing anything different. Yesterday, part one of  my problem, gremlins. I logged onto my computer and it kept dropping me, I was searching … (2 comments)

Getting out of my comfort zone Part 1 ~ Meeting Frank & Frankly agents - 04/27/12 09:23 AM
Getting out of my comfort zone Part 1 ~ Meeting Frank & Frankly agentsMost of you know I made the switch January 1st,2012 to Frankly Realtyfrom a large real estate company.  I shared a few of the reasons in my blog post Taking the Leap!  New reasons are being revealed almost daily, some small some large, some created by my own assumptions (we all know assumptions are ….. well maybe I’d better leave that out) and others a little corporate rah rah juice. Something you may not know, I am very shy. I’m not big on face to face mingling with … (4 comments)

My favorite way to be in the rain, ActiveRain, is daily. - 04/27/12 06:34 AM
My favorite way to be in the rain, ActiveRain, is daily. Singing in the rain as many call it. It seems I have fallen off the wagon and just need to get back on. Why is that so hard? Kind of like picking up the phone when you have lost touch with a dear friend. The benefits are huge & we know we are welcome, family even but the intimidation factor of time lost, picking up the phone or blogging creeps in and we just can’t let it win. Do you have a post or two to share, a phone call … (8 comments)

What costs are involved in owning a home in Maryland? - 04/23/12 09:22 AM
Expert advice from the right expert! Real estate & Mortgages
When it comes to expert advice about real estate, I’ve got you covered. I won’t say I know it all because real estate is complex, everyday I am learning something new. I will say if I don’t know & I’ll find the answer. My networking with industry professionals gives me many, many go to resources for example, mortgages, contactBridget McGee she’s my go to expert leder. Check out her post explaining the true cost involved in owning a home in Maryland.
Expert advice from the right expert! Real estate & Mortgages
Via Bridget … (1 comments)

12 Little things you can do this Earth Day (and everyday) to make a difference! - 04/21/12 09:20 PM
12 Little things you can do this Earth Day (and everyday) to make a difference!  Environmental conservation to big an issue for you to make a difference? Can you....
Shorten your shower by one minute? Saves water Power down your computer for an hour? Saves electricity Recycle your no longer used cell phones? Saves energy Run or walk outside instead of using the treadmill? Saves electricity Change your HVAC filters to keep the system running efficiently? Saves electricity Unplug appliances not in use? Saves electricity Stop putting batteries in the trash? Reduces acids from ending up in the earth Use reusable … (3 comments)

Am I confused? Can you help me understand? Copyright 1999 MRIS, Copyright 2001 MRIS, Copyright 2003 MRIS - 04/21/12 07:53 PM
Am I confused? Can you help me understand? Copyright 1999 MRIS, Copyright 2001 MRIS, Copyright 2003 MRISAccording to Mr. Webster copyright means: “the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell or distribute the matter and form of something (as a literary, musical, or artistic work)” WHY are there so many real estate listings with photographs stamped Copyright 1999 MRIS, Copyright 2001 MRIS, Copyright 2003 MRIS and so on? Aren’t we, real estate agents, taking on the contractual obligation of  marketing the property for the best interest of the seller? Doesn't that include taking good, current photographs of the property being offered … (4 comments)

Take a new direction and find ….. an enormous ROOSTER? - 04/13/12 08:41 PM
Take a new direction and find ….. an enormous ROOSTER?




Yes, I literally took a new direction on my way to show property today and came across this enormous rooster.  I’ve written to the farm owners in hopes of finding out more details. Take a new direction, travel a new path. Let me know what you find!Take a new direction and find ….. an enormous ROOSTER?
… (19 comments)

Want to buy a Carroll County, Maryland FORECLOSURE? - 04/12/12 09:19 PM
Want to buy a Carroll County, Maryland FORECLOSURE?
There are currently 24 FORECLOSURES available in Carroll County from $94,499 - $394,900, one bedroom bungalows to four bedroom colonials. Are you interested in buying a Carroll County, Maryland FORECLOSURE?   How about Baltimore, Howard or Harford Counties, email me for a free list.Want to buy a Carroll County, Maryland FORECLOSURE?
… (0 comments)

Is Catonsville a Hot Market? Catonsville, Maryland Market Report - 04/12/12 07:57 PM
Is Catonsville a Hot Market? Let’s take a look:Catonsville, Maryland Market ReportMarch 2012 ~ 21228The average:
detached home sold price $242,070 number of homes sold 23 days on the market 93 average sold to original list price ratio 90.8% seller subsidy $4,570 property age in years 57 number of bedrooms 3 number of baths 2 number of ½ baths 2 Baltimore County, MarylandThe average:
detached home sold price $260,132 number of homes sold 562 days on the market 139 average sold to original list price ratio 88.7% Homes went under contract 597Homes New on the market  1148In Catonsville, Maryland 219 of … (0 comments)

Silent Saturday ~ Mater My loyal companion - 04/06/12 09:53 PM
Silent Saturday ~ Mater, my loyal companion.
My dog is usually pleased with what I do, because she he is not infected with the concept of what I should be doing. - Lonzo IdolswineSilent Saturday ~ Mater, my loyal companion.
… (4 comments)

Realtor Schedules Tour, Step 6 in the Home Buying Process - 04/06/12 08:49 PM
Realtor® Schedules Tour, Step 6 in the Home Buying ProcessThere is much more to showing property than unlocking a door. Frequently Realtors® get calls from buyers who have found a property they’ve seen online and they want to see in immediately! That’s not how things work. Realtors® have an obligation to themselves, their personal safety to know who they are meeting and are equally obligated to the sellers to only bring qualified buyers through their home with an appointment.Step 6 in the process of buying a home Once the buyer(s) choose properties they would like to see (step 5) the Realtor® … (2 comments)

Steps in the Home Buying Process - 04/06/12 07:29 PM
Steps in the Home Buying Process
1. Home buyer makes the decision to buy2. Buyer selects selling Realtor®/brokerage 3. Realtor® recommends consultation with lender to determine buying power and get pre-approved4. Realtor®  assists in determining buyers needs5. Buyers chooses houses to tour6. Realtor® schedules tour7. Buyer selects a property8. Buyer makes an offer to buy 9. The offer is accepted, rejected or negotiatedIf negotiated, this includes price, terms & conditions - the terms & conditions later become contingencies. 10. Offer is accepted11. Buyer and buyers agent arrange for inspections: (at the buyers expense)
   Home/structural & mechanical    Radon    Well    Septic    Lead paint … (6 comments)

Motivational Monday ~ Brothers & Sisters - 04/02/12 08:52 PM
Motivational Monday  ~ Brothers & Sisters
Have I introduced you to my brother Dave? Well, here we are side by side just before his daughter's wedding a few weeks ago. I adore my brother and love any opportunity to spend time with him and get a rare photo. 

To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. - Clara … (10 comments)

 
Me_2009 Rainmaker_large

Diane M. Phillips, Realtor® Carroll, Frederick, Howard & Harford Co.

Manchester, MD

More about me…

Frankly Real Estate Inc.

Address: Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County and Harford County, MD

Office Phone: (703) 827-4006

Cell Phone: (443) 286-4365

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