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What Real Estate is All About

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

Sometimes we forget what business we are in. It's easy to be caught up in listing and showing and negotiating and settling. But that's all just the mechanics of our business. Today I got a delightful reminder that we really do is make dreams come true.

A few months ago, I wrote about a house that was a "disastrous, dirty, cluttered, smelly, mess" and could only be sold after it was stripped bare – carpets, appliances, window treatments, everything had to go. The buyers didn't think they could ask for that, but the sellers were delighted to take their "stuff" with them, and both ended up happy. The young couple who bought the home then painted, replaced flooring, did over the kitchen and bathrooms, and enjoyed their five-bedroom brick home for five years.

 Childrens BAthMaster BRFoyerKitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last fall we put this home on the market and it found new owners, a family with two young children. This house that was once a disaster area has become a family's dream home…again. They are so happy and wanted to show me how they are doing with their own decorating. The children's rooms didn't need any change – the girl's room is pink and white with a colorful border, and the boy's is Spiderman-blue. Colors in the bathroom they share work for both children.

 New LandscapingFront PorchDining Room

 

 

 

 

 

New landscaping has made the front more inviting, and wicker furniture makes the front porch a pleasant place to relax. Inside, the still-new kitchen is warmed by decorative accessories above the cabinets. Some new furniture and a carpet remnant make the dining room inviting, and now the owner isn't bothered anymore by the parquet floor that she doesn't much like. The family room with its brick wall is warmer now with the sofa and comfy pillows. Some of the rooms, like the living room, are still a work in progress, but you can see that this is a warm and welcoming place. 

Living Room

Family Room 

I am so proud of putting this family in what turned out to be their dream house. Knowing they are happy and that they wanted to share that with me – it was a feel-good day!

And that is the business we are in.

AR

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/RealtorĀ®

Baltimore, Maryland


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Brad Snyder
Sierra Vista Realty - Sierra Vista, AZ
Congratulations on the feature for a well deserved post. Thanks.
Aug 01, 2007 12:35 PM
Chris Lengquist
Ad Astra Realty - Olathe, KS
Kansas City Real Estate Investing
I'd give you a gold star...but I don't do that.  I don't do trophies, either.  So I'll just tell you to keep your airplane wheels above the ground's surface.  Good job.
Aug 01, 2007 01:50 PM
Michael Eisenberg
eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate Guy
Yes, helping other is surely the best part of our business, thanks for reminding us
Aug 01, 2007 02:06 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Margaret, it's really all about people. We feel that we can truly make a difference in their lives. If they have the right "home base" they can deal with the world.
Aug 01, 2007 02:24 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Margaret - Wonderful story and very well written.  Yes, we can all get caught up in this system and that appointment and forget easily what it is all about.  You did a great job in reminding us all.
Aug 01, 2007 03:14 PM
Stephen Katz
Katz Mortgage Team, a branch of VanDyk Mortgage Corporation - Atlanta, GA
Branch Manager, CMPS

My wife STILL tears up when she would watch those FHA first-time homebuyer commercials...especially the one when the parents were watching their kids playing in their new back yard after just moving in.  The husband looks at the wife and says "Why are you crying?  Because it's their first back yard?"  She turns to him, with tears streaming down her eyes, shakes her head, and replies "No.  Because it's mine".

 

I feel the same way, especially with first-time homebuyers - they are thrilled when they finally become homeowners - mortgage and all! 

Aug 01, 2007 03:18 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Nice reminder. Interesting post. Thanks for sharing.

Aug 01, 2007 04:40 PM
Joe Zapata
Keller Williams Realty Media World - Burbank, CA
Your Burbank Real Estate Expert
It is always a treat to have a special reminder like this.  The diamond in the rough that someone has the vision for.
Aug 01, 2007 05:32 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation
Thanks for putting it all in perspective.  Sometimes we do need to stop and think about why we're in this business, when we get caught up in the routine paperwork.  Great photos, by the way!
Aug 01, 2007 05:37 PM
Suburban Chicago Illinois Real Estate
Suburban Village Realty - Barrington, IL

Margaret,

When clients share with you what they have done, that is when you know you are doing a great job!

Nice Post!

Aug 01, 2007 07:15 PM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

Margaret,

I love stories like this one.  We had an agent in our office years ago that specialized in the ickyest most disgusting dog houses around.  He had quite a NICHE and did very well.  He would list the houses other agents wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole and became very well known for this.  He had investors and rehabbers following him around - waiting for first crack at any of his listings.  He would then be the listing agent when the house was done with rehab.

Aug 02, 2007 12:46 AM
Armando Rodriguez
QUEST REALTY SERVICES - Orlando, FL
Orlando Homes 4 Sale, Real Estate Broker-GRI

Great story..

You are absolutely right... this is the business we are in!

Thanks for the post!

Aug 02, 2007 05:20 AM
Debi Braulik
www.roundrealestate.com - Maple Valley, WA
Selling Maple Valley to Fife WA Homes For Sale
Margaret- Good job. It truly is a good feeling knowing our clients are living well and loving their new homes. Funny but I never thought to ask a seller to take all that stuff with them. Thank you!
Aug 02, 2007 05:28 AM
Joe Sampson
Exit Realty Experts - Saint Augustine, FL
I love it when past customers follow up with me and are excited about the house I helped them find! It's a very satisfying feeling! Good for you Margaret!
Aug 02, 2007 06:36 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Margaret -- it is so exciting to see this type of transformation.  I always find it interesting to go back a year later and see what the new owners have done with a home.  Each owner brings new life and their own personality to the home.  It truly is magic.
Aug 02, 2007 08:43 AM
Dick & Sandy Beals
Wilmington Real Estate 4U Wilmington, NC - Wilmington, NC

Hi Margaret,

I guess I will just echo all the above comments...it sure is very satisfying to see all the changes we can make in a persons life.  I love going back years later a hearing the stories of how we climbed the mountains, swam the rivers, and fought off the dragons to help them obtain "the house"

Dick Beals

Aug 02, 2007 11:14 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I will get to all of your comments but just had to share what my wonderful seller had to say after reading the blog.

"WOW! What a treat. Thank you so much for sending me this link. I have shared it with Alvin and my mom as well. The house looks GREAT and I am so thrilled that everything worked out so well for the newest and proud owners of 3951 McDonogh Rd!!!
My family has actually commented on how nicely the landscaping looked at the home.
It is a wonderful feeling to know that after all we went through to sell that house, it went to a family that soooo wanted it. God is truly AWESOME!
I hope all is well with you and Mr. Rome. We are doing wonderful.
I will speak with you soon.
Take care, Nicole"

And here is the new owner's comment:

"Thank you very much.  It was a dream come true."

Aug 02, 2007 12:26 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dick and Sandy, Thanks for reminding us of what we do.

Joan, Magic is a good way to look at what we do.

Joe, We all love that satisfying feeling.

Debi, That was the first time I have asked the house to be completely empty. We removed the stove after the appraisal.

Armando, You are so welcome.

Debbi, What a great niche. Never would have thought of this. Is this agent still around?

Paul and Michelle, You are so right!

Thanks, Margaret. The new owners were asking what I was going to do with the photos and I think they really liked the fact that I was so proud of their new home.

Joe, We just have to recognize the diamonds.

Bob and Carolin, thank you!

Stephen, It is wonderful to see those tears of joy!

George, Thanks for those kind words!

Sharon, You are the perfect example of making a difference in the lives of others!

Brad, I appreciate your kindness.

Aug 02, 2007 02:06 PM
Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate
Margaret, that is the true gold at the end of the rainbow!!!  The pride that shines in their faces when you come back to see their changes, especially when the house wasn't kept so nice before, makes it all worth while!!!
Aug 02, 2007 02:31 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Chris, Nice way you have with words! Thank you!
Aug 02, 2007 03:01 PM