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Back to Basics... Do's and Don'ts

By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

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

December 22, 2010 04:48 PM

Writing about the subject...Going Back to Basics, I have talked about answering your phone, making your own appointments and even having a special business card.. ...Use Your Phone! and What's Your Tag Line? -and A Different Kind of Cold Calling.

That reminded me that I don't do anything I don't want to. . HomeRome 410-530-2400

This simplifies my business and my life: Back to Basics...Do's and Don'ts

I don't want to work with clients who are kindness impaired…so I don't. Life is too short.
I don't want to cut my commission (which would mean that I would have to cut my service)…so I don't. I get one of the highest commission in the area, and my clients know they get top value.
I don't want to drive buyers all over town looking at houses…so I don't. I work with sellers.
I don't want to regret choosing real estate…and I don't. Where else can you work with interesting people, help them reach an important life goal, and be part of a group of professionals who become friends?
I Don't Do Upset!

But:

I DO want to be assured that my clients get the best possible service. That's why I answer my phone, make my own appointments, make myself available for many showings.
I DO want to create a referral business. That's why I use my experience in nursing to nurture clients and help them through the high-stress time of buying a home.
I DO want to help new agents, the ones who want to learn and stay in the profession for the long haul. That's why I agree to speak to new agents.
I DO want to sleep well. That's why I don't cut corners or take shortcuts. They just are not worth it.
I DO want to spend time with my family and friends. That's why I carve out time.
And I DO want to keep growing and learning. 20 years in the business and Broker/ Owner of HomeRome Realty, I still continue taking courses. The letters, after my name, look like alphabet Soup .
And I Do want people to read my book Real Estate the Rome Way. Stay tuned to a pay it forward idea coming soon!

What are Your Do's and Don'ts ?

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Jeanne Dufort

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA

Madison and Lake Oconee GA

Margaret - thanks for sharing your list. Mine looks a bit different - for example, I love hunting down the perfect home or land for people, and seeing "the look" when we discover it. Key is - we are both focused on doing most of what we love.

Dec 23, 2010 11:47 PM

Allison Stewart

St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL

St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Margaret- I love your do's and don't list. Happy Holidays!

Dec 23, 2010 11:47 PM

Bill Foxworthy, Jill Turner

Carpenter Northeast - Indianapolis, IN

Real Estate - Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel

Margaret

I really enjoyed reading your do's and don'ts list.

This time of year is when I start my business plan for next year and I am planning on

using some of your ideas in my plan. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Dec 24, 2010 12:09 AM

Broker Nick

South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

I don't understand why buyers agents get so upset when you say you are a listing agent - I love it!

Dec 24, 2010 12:33 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Margaret, your "do's and don'ts" create a good way to have balance and eliminate stress in this business. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dec 24, 2010 12:52 AM

Dave Whittington - Ocean City, MD REALTOR

Associate Broker - Coastal Life Realty Group - Ocean City, MD

Associate Broker

Thanks for the do's and don'ts..great list

Dec 24, 2010 01:13 AM

Michael J. Perry

KW Elite - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Many students of Today are not excited about any form of Basics ! That's why Gary Keller now calls them the "Foundations of your Career"!!! *L*

Dec 24, 2010 01:15 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dave, You are welcome.

Michael, More balance...less stress..good formula.

Nicholas, And I love a good buyer's agent. What a team!

Bill, Hope you will share your plan,

Allison, Thanks and Happy Holidays to you.

Jeanne, Doing what you love...that's the key.

Stephen, So true for many. Happy holidays to you.

Claudette, Doing what you like and doing what you are good at. I love buyer's agents!

Bryant, Mama must have liked you more.LOL

Scott, Glad that you DO like my post!

Dec 24, 2010 01:25 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Michael P, Foundation is a good term. Harrisburg is lucky to have you as an instructor.

Dec 24, 2010 01:29 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Margaret ~ A wonderful post filled with lovely sentiments and principles. I particulary appreciate the first one - "I don't want to work with clients who are kindness impaired...so I don't. Life is too short". Amen to that.

Your title made me open the post even though I'm rushing out the door since focusing on the basics is what led to my best year ever. And I am talking about basics - returning calls, staying in touch, etc. It's easy to flail about in a myriad of directions - your post brings us back to what matters when creating the business we hope for.

Liz

Dec 24, 2010 03:13 AM

Svetlana Stolyarova

Local-n-Global Realty, Cleveland and International Real Estate Solution - Mayfield Heights, OH

Local-n-Global Realty, Broker 216-548-4663

Amen. You said it all, Margaret.

Happy Holidays and tons of opportunities to do what you love and what you wnat to do.

Dec 24, 2010 03:48 AM

Rich Gaasenbeek

IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM - Toronto, ON

Real Estate CRM & Marketing Made Easy!

Great post Margaret, and most timely. We are in control of our lives. We get to choose what we Do and Don't Do. I particularly like your DO about nurturing clients and creating a referral based business. Very wise guidelines.

Rich Gaasenbeek, IXACT Contact, The Easy Way To Manage Your Contacts

Dec 24, 2010 04:07 AM

Brent Wells

The LivingWell Team - Prosper, TX

Dallas - Fort Worth

Margaret,

Wonderful words to live and work by. 'I don't do mean people', if I may borrow your mindset. Mean people can take the joy right out of your life if you let them. We have a term around our office; 'it may be time to fire that client'. When people are not kind or reasonable it becomes very difficult to have an adult relationship with them.

-Brent

Dec 24, 2010 04:32 AM

Scott Petersen

Client First, Realtors - Canton, MI - Canton, MI

Knowing what you will do or won't do before you have to is very important. Good post and Merry Christmas all AR.

Dec 24, 2010 04:33 AM

Eva Aliaga

Partnership Realty Inc - Boca Raton, FL

Boca Raton & Delray Beach: SE Florida Real Estate

Hi Margaret, I think when we learn what are Do's and Don't in our business it can only get better. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful new year.

Dec 24, 2010 04:38 AM

Roseanne Campagna

John L. Scott RE Maple Valley, WA - Maple Valley, WA

Kent/DesMoines/Blk Diamond/Renton/Maple Valley, WA

Margaret,

We haven't officially met, but I found you through Lizette Fitzpatrick. What caught my interest was that you are an artist, and selling real estate. When I cam across your book, I had to get a copy to read. Your E type personality description gave me something I can't adequately describe, but it was just what I needed.

So thank you for this post, your book, and your insights - it helps and supports me to be who I am.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Roseanne

Dec 24, 2010 04:58 AM

Bill Gillhespy

16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Margaret, Super list spelling out your business philosophy ! Sounds like you've found a very comfortable place. Hope your Holiday Season is the best ever !

Dec 24, 2010 06:09 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Erica,When you make this kind of decision, it make you a better agent. You are in control and you choose the client.

Bill, Appreciate your comment.

Roseanne, We will meet very soon. Let's talk, my phone number is below.

Eva, Thank you and the same to you.

Scott, True and thanks for stopping by.

Brent, We do have the ability to fire release a client!

Rich, Referral are the best .. and I have almost an all referral business.

Svetlana, Happy Holidays to you.

Liz, Hope you have "caught up" and are able to take a deep breath.

Dec 24, 2010 02:52 PM

Cheryl Ritchie

RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD

Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

You learn what works for you and what does not as you go along and you have to hear yourself. You already know what to do.

Dec 25, 2010 09:59 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Cheryl, Having a few years in this business...helps you figure out what works and what does not.

Dec 25, 2010 11:55 AM

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