Pat Hommel's Blog

Maryland AAA Reports Traveling Is "Fizzling" - Could this Help Our Industry?

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:32:38 -0500

The Maryland AAA reports that traveling is on the decrease due to the increase in fuel prices and many people are opting not to travel this 4th of July holiday.

This cutback in traveling will find property owners spending more leisure time in their homes. I think we may see a trend for homeowners putting that cash into home improvements that enhance their entertaining and enjoying leisure time at home.

If homeowners focus on improvements to the home that add more value to their lifestyle, they will be enhancing the overall value of their home for future sales opportunities. They will have made improvements that will make their home more saleable.

I personally have 3 projects planned for the month of July that will transform my patio, bathrooms and home entrance. These projects are in lieu of taking a trip I had planned this Summer which I have postponed. I have to focus on my business and keep my spending limited to things that bring a return to me. So I am making improvements to my home that will reap more proceeds when I decide to sell in a more favorable market.

I'm wondering if other homeowners are thinking the same way.

I invite comments to hear what you all think.

Olympic Mind Set - Keep Working on Your Skills Til You Make It

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:03:15 -0500

As we tune in to watch the 2008 Olympic Games this Summer, we will be reminded that every individual there worked on their skills through all kinds of adverse conditions. It is not an easy road to get to that level of competition. Most of them have dedicated most of their life to perfecting their skills to reach a lifetime goal of competing in the Olympics.

Building a real estate business and sustaining it requires learning and sharpening many skills. When times get difficult, we are faced with re-visiting our goals and objectives for building a successful real estate practice. We need to be open minded to learning new innovations that will bring us new prospects. Today, we need to be aware of all the technologies and information that are available to help us provide better service and results to our buyers and sellers.

This is not an easy time in our economy. Many industries and businesses are having difficulties. We are experiencing an adjustment in the real estate industry. We need to work beyond the adversity, much like the athletes who strive to reach the Olympics. The competitors who will be performing at the Games kept going even though they experienced injuries, financial difficulties, personal sacrifices. They are committed to their goal.

We need to remain committed to our goals in our business and continue to strengthen our skills in all ways to bring value to our customers and clients. Surround yourself with people who support you in your personal and professional life and remain positive in your outlook for your professional future.

We attract what we think about. Like an Olympic competitor, keep your sights on your goal, and making your life what you want it to be.

Active Rain Member Camille O'Donnell - Fabulous Technology Instructor

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:52:58 -0500

I recently took a technology class that was taught by one of our own, Camille O'Donnell. Camille is the featured member in Queen Anne County, Maryland. She is an excellent instructor and her class is packed with information and tools we need to be using in our real estate practices.

In her presentation she talks about Active Rain and all the benefits of being part of Active Rain. I did not know until I was in the class that she was also a member of Active Rain. She is an excellent "embassador" for AR and I encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about technology tools that are available to help you run your real estate business to take a class with Camille. She will teach a class in any area where a group will sign up. So far, she has been teaching classes on the Eastern Shore, however she tells me she is willing to travel.

Camille has an extensive technology background and can answer any question thrown her way. I was amazed at all the information she presented in the class. She is a great example of how many great people we meet here at Active Rain.

ACTIVE SUN - A Shining Light for Karen George

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:29:41 -0500

A Shining Light for Karen George - Outpouring of Support for an Oustanding Active Rain Member

Karen George, National Wholesale Mortgage, is battling cancer with courage and grace. Many of you are followers of her blog and have yourselves written some inspiring blogs to support Karen. Karen, a very active Active Rain member, is a superlative writer with humorous insights into business and life.

The most recent post to Karen's blog is an entry from her husband, titled Karen George - An Update for Friends, at http://activerain.com/blogs/azmortgagelady. Michael George has written a heartfelt thank you to all of the people who have been so supportive of Karen. He writes of Karen's most recent setback and the treatment she is currently receiving.

Michael gives special mention to several Active Rain blogs that are incredible examples of special human beings coming through for another special human being who has been there for everyone and now needs some support, but would never ask for anything for herself.

Adam Waldman makes a commitment of support and points out how simply all of us on Active Rain can be there for Karen. Paula Henry has started a bank account for Karen, read about this at http://../../../blogs/avonagent. Several blogs are given special mention by Michael in his thank you blog. Karen also has another blog, www.fighting-breast-cancer.com, which she started to spread awareness to other women and to encourage regular screenings and finding THE doctor who will closely follow any findings and not make assumptions, especially that anyone is too young to have breast cancer. Karen is here to tell us that assumption lead to her cancer not being diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion.

Here is a quote from Karen:

"Bottom line: If you or someone you knows ever has a lump, please follow it very closely. You cannot put all of your faith into one doctor. I did, and I am now considered terminally ill because of my blind faith. He told me I was too young. Young women do get breast cancer. If anyone tells you otherwise, including your doctor, give 'em a smack for me."

As you can see from this direct quote, Karen is not asking for sympathy, she is asking for action. She wants to get the word out there to the world to be more aware of how to detect, prevent, and treat breast cancer.

This quote reveals the special spirit that is Karen George. She has an amazing outlook on life and gives far more in life than she takes from life. This post is to honor Karen, to create an even larger group of support for her on Active Rain, and to join her in her relentless commitment to help others be educated, aware and hooked up with the best health care providers possible to combat this disease. We can volunteer to help Karen directly through her blog for fighting breast cancer, find ways to help her and Michael and send support in spirit as well as through the bank account.

What Karen and Michael do request is any business we can send to their company, National Wholesale Mortgage, http://www.azwm.com. They are partners in this business and together they continue to run it as a full-time career. The company is licensed in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. We have so much power here at Active Rain to make an effort to send them business and refer them to people we know in these states.

If we all could be responsible for one transaction getting to Karen and Michael George of National Wholesale Mortgage, http://www.azwm.com it would help them for a lifetime. Such a small step can make such a huge difference.

Pat Hommel, Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis - Top Waterfront Town Award by National Geographic Adventure Magazine

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:32:07 -0500

Annapolis, Maryland Named One of Top Six Waterfront Towns In America

I have the privilege of living and working in one of the most beautiful towns in America. Annapolis, Maryland was recently named one of the top 6 waterfront towns in the country by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Many unique features contributed to our historic colonial town being selected as one of the best:

Recognized as a recreational hub alongside the Chesapeake Bay
Surrounded by several bodies of water
One of the most desirable towns to live and retire
A mecca for sailing, windsurfing and crabbing
The Sailing Capital of America
Home to the National Sailing Hall of Fame
Maryland's State Capital
Host to the largest in-the-water Sailboat and Power Boat shows
Home to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Tourist friendly town

Annapolis has many cultural events throughout the year including The Blues Festival, Joe Byrd Jazz Concerts, The Annapolis Symphony, Maryland Hall for the Creative and Performing Arts, free concerts by the Naval Academy Band performed on the waterfront plaza at the Annapolis City Dock, and The Annapolis Summer Garden Theater.

Annapolis is a walking town that provides many beautiful sights starting with a vast variety of yachts at the City Dock. Restaurants and speciality shops beckon to you along the Dock area and continuing up along Main Street, Maryland Avenue and Inner West Street. History abounds in every direction. There are many historical treasures to tour such as The State House, The Paca House and the Hammond Harwood House. There are tour boats that take visitors to the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay and to the Thomas Point Light House. You can even reserve a private sailing yacht complete with captain and dinner and have a private party on the Bay well into the evening hours.

As you take your evening stroll through Annapolis you can enjoy an incredible sunset filling the sky over the Annapolis Harbor, bringing a peaceful ambience to our top waterfront town.

Pat Hommel, Annapolis, AA Co., Maryland Real Estate Sales 443-534-8685

Meeting Margaret Rome

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:02:01 -0500

Today I was listening to the radio and heard a real estate agent talking to the host. The guest was Margaret Rome and she was talking about the TypeE personality. Immediately she had my attention and I turned up the volume. Margaret was describing me! I had never heard of TypeE before and I was amazed to hear Margaret talk about so many traits that were my traits. At the end of the program I went to her website and read all about Margaret.

I called Margaret and told her I had just listened to her on the radio. We had a great time talking and sharing stories about ourselves. It was as if we had met before. She is so committed to sharing the information about TypeE with others, especially real estate agents. Her sincerity and enthusiasm reached out over the telephone. I look forward to meeting again with Margaret soon and getting to know her better.