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What's Luck Got to Do With Selling Houses in Baltimore, MD?

Dice What's Luck Got to Do With It?

Four Leaf Clover Not long ago I talked with Ylan Q Mui, a staff writer at the Washington Post, who was writing an article on the things sellers do to help sell their houses. She wasn't interested in decluttering or staging. What she wanted to talk about was lucky charms, totems, and other magical devices.

Her article, "Lady Luck Lounges on A Red Couch," ran on August 9, but you can still find it online (http://tinyurl.com/nkmher). She interviewed some agents in the area and included this about me and my lucky number:

"Margaret Rome, a real estate agent in Baltimore, has established her own lucky tradition. When she started selling houses about 20 years ago, she said, she was scooting around in a brown Porsche 944. She loved the car and decided to claim the number as her own. So on her very first listing, she ended the price in '944.'

Chinese Good Fortune Pig St. Joseph Statue "It sold within a week. Rome tried it again with her second listing, and it sold within two weeks. She did it again for her third listing, and it also got snapped up.

"I said, 'There's something to this,' she recalled.

"Rome has since used the number for every property, though she now drives a convertible Lexus. ("I didn't want to jinx it," she said.) Only once did she stray, when a family instead asked to use a number that is auspicious in Asian traditions, an eight. So Rome priced the house to end in '988.' Luckily, she said, it sold."

The thing is, I believe luck really has very little to do with selling houses. I believe it's much more the total of how you become known in your community, how you build your referrals over time, and how you treat people. As the saying goes, "The harder I work, the luckier I get!"

This story was picked up and ran on the front page of The Baltimore Sun's Real Estate section. Two calls from friends who read it in the Boston Globe.

How's your luck these days?

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

Posted by Margaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty Baltimore, Md. on 08/31/2009 02:35 PM

Comments (29)

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ylan q mui, washington post, boston globe, luck, 944, 988, baltimore, maryland, lexus, red couch, baltimore sun

Originally posted at: Margaret Rome's Blog: What's Luck Got to Do With Selling Houses in Baltimore, MD?

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29 Comments on What's Luck Got to Do With Selling Houses in Baltimore, MD?

AUG

Hi Margaret, WOW, the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, and the Boston Globe that is very impressive! I agree, luck has very little to do with it. If you work hard, and do the things you mentioned, all that good will come back to you! Congratulations, Margaret.

Hi Margaret,

Well, these days we can all use some of that luck. I don't have any magic set of numbers, but I might go ahead with that saint statue and bury upside down in the yard. Nice to see you are getting so much publicity. I was interviewed for our paper but made the writer agree that if the article come out differently than how I was quoted , he would not use my name. Sure enough, he held to his promise. My report was about positive indicators and the article was all negative, my name did not appear. Thankfully. So much for that waste of time, LOL.

hi Mmmmmmmmargaret... aside from your excellent taste in cars, I couldn't agree more with "The harder I work, the luckier I get!"...

So many people think there is some kind of magic trick to being successful but... hard work and learning from our mistakes always helps the luck factor along. And congrats on the awesome coverage!!!

Hi Margaret! You took the words RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH!!!! I have been musing this around in my spirit for weeks now.... saying i'd make a post on it! I wrote the same exact words on Twitter and Facebook just last week! My post (when it's written) will read... What's LUCK gotta do with it? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! It takes working your field using what you have... not luck!

I'm calling 944.

Mrgaret, Congratulations on some wonderful publicity! I can see why you use the numbers and who knows? In addition to very hard work there may just be a bit of luck involved....If it works, stay with it :)

Fun story, Margaret, and what great publicity. I know a number of folks who have been successful with ol' St. Joseph. I think your idea of using 944 is inspirational!

Jeff

SEP

I've used the St. Joseph statue and was going to bury it in my latest listing, but I got multiple offers immediately after my first open house. So I may save it for the next one.

I've also consulted with a feng shui master, and hung crystals where the sun streams so that there are mini rainbows that play in the room. Hung bells at the front door. Can't say they worked for the last listing when the seller backed out of a perfectly good escrow.

Regardless, it's fun doing these things.

We have to remember some of the most essential elements of feng shui: clean, de-clutter, placement, light, harmony. Sounds like staging to me!

Very interesting post, Margaret.

Good for you for the publicity, always nice to know you are quoted by the local newspapers and they look to you for your wisdom.

Mary, I was lucky to get into all three papers. Many times that luck comes after many years of rewarding hard work. Thanks for being the first to comment.

William, Brilliant that you made him promise NOT to use your name if the slant was negative. Hopefully he will use you more in the future.

mARTi, You are the one that invented this statement : hard work and learning from our mistakes always helps the luck factor along. You have taught us all so much about marketing. Stay tuned..might need your assistence soon.

Diane,..hmmm right out of your mouth. Look forward to reading those words.

Bev and Bob, Let me know who answers.

Carole, Thank you so much. A bit of luck never hurts!

Jeff, I have only used the St.Joseph when the client makes the suggestion. Yes there are times,it has worked. The 944 was such a simple thing to do...and it gets notice. Don't understand why more agents don't pick up on it.

Pacita, Keep having fun with it. It does not matter whether you call it Feng Shui, staging or clean, de-clutter, placement, light, harmony.

Missy, Being quoted, positively is always a bonus! You always say the nicest things. Thank you!

SEP

Good talking with you Margaret...I don't think rolling the dice is a good idea when hiring an agent on either side of the transaction...on the other hand...a little luck never hurt anyone ! Enjoy the rest of your weekend !

Margaret, I have the lucky pen and my stash of St. Anthony statues. That and hard work seem to to the trick!

Wow congratulations on all fronts. That is great coverage. Not that you need the PR but I am sure it never hurts. I think I know you well enough to know that you make your own luck happen.

Sally, Thanks for the call back. It was fun talking with you.

Patricia, All of those things, accompanied with hard work, seem to work.

Josef, Glad to see you! You have been missed. PR is alway needed...as you well know.

Margaret - I read this story online. I don't remember where so your reach is beyond the East Coast. In our area, some people swear that you will sell your home more quickly by burying a statue of St. Joseph in the front yard. I don't know if it works or not. However, the local Catholic supply store actually sells a kit so it must work enough to perpetuate the "good luck" myth.

SEP

Ryan, Would love to know where you read this online. I know it was in the Boston Globe, The Tennessean, Baltimore Sun and when googled, found it on numerous real estate sites.

A bit of good luck along with hard work can never hurt.

Yeah I have been off the blogs and AR for too long. I need to get back in full time. Just left you a FB note. Enjoy your day tomorrow.

SEP

Margaret - Cool story- I love it!... All my listings should end in one million, then?? !

Josef, Thanks for the good wishes and for stopping by. You have been missed.

Wendy, That's a tough number to end with. It would still be zeros..

SEP

Margaret,Good things always happen when you work hard. I have to admit, I have several St. Joseph statues just in case. Love reading your posts. Have a great evening Barbara

I love your words! Just stopped by and saw your adorable post about your almost tomatoe garden.

SEP

Quite an interesting story; a very good read. I've always believed that luck was the result of hard work, something my wise old grandmother taught me. It's worked -- so far -- for 44 years.

Morning Russel, Do you ever sleep? Grandmother knew the secret. The harder you work, the luckier you get!

SEP

Margaret, Congrats on the press! I agree that good luck is when opportunity and hard work meet. Having good luck charms is fun though!

Jen, Thanks for stopping by. Do you have a special lucky charm that goes along with your hard work>

SEP

I really like this thought because it gives Realtors the knowledge that sometimes despite everything, it will work for the best. Luck is a great fortune that everyone can embrace. Now I ask that all here at Active Rain send loads of extra good luck my way.

OCT

Lots of hard work prepares us to grab luck when it comes our way!

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."

AMEN!

Luck = Laboring Under Correct Knowledge.

Candice, I definitely agree with your definition!!

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