Special offer

Debt Free-A First In Almost Eighty Years

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

She would be 80 on her next birthday, and she called me to help sell her condo. She told me what she owed, plus there was a considerable assessment she was responsible for and had borrowed a "few dollars" from her brother. He was considering it a gift and not expecting anything. 

So as always, when listing a client, I knew her bottom line. She only hoped to break even-no more.

How did she find me?  It turned out that I had sold a unique home for her brother-in-law after a family member had the property for a year with no success. 

She also asked a neighbor about me and got his response, "You can't do any better than her."

So we met, and  I listed her condo. Even though it needed work, we were getting contracts.  Each offer would have cleared her debt, but that was not enough for me. With each contract offer, we had a discussion, she made a choice and said I trust you. Do whatever you want to do, and no questions. We accepted the fifth and highest, a cash sale.

 On closing day, I shared with her the proceeds. She told me how happy she was and thanked me by saying:

''This is the very first time in my entire life that I owe NO ONE; I'm debt-free.''

Not only did she break even, she now has a nice little nest egg. 

And this is my reward for doing what I love.

Thank you Margaret Rome

The note above arrived in the mail today!

Thank you, Barbara, for trusting me with your home.

The sale of this condo may be one of the minor dollar sales for me, but the psychic income was one of the largest.

And both the buyer and the seller get to celebrate Christmas in their new home.

 

Thinking of selling your home

Call Margaret Rome

 

Margaret Rome

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Author: Real Estate The Rome Way

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret - "free" takes on a special significance when it is paired with the word debt.  Congratulations to your client on this achievement.  She must feel very good.  As do you.  

Dec 06, 2021 04:59 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Coupled with 'debt,' 'free' takes on a new meaning. It was a delightful closing, Michael.

Dec 06, 2021 08:30 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. When you do what you love, "physic income" can be a sizeable reward. Enjoy your day.

Dec 06, 2021 05:04 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thank you, Wayne. This one was very rewarding 

Dec 06, 2021 08:31 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

How wonderful! To be debt free (finally) at age 80. You made that woman very happy.

Dec 06, 2021 05:16 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

It was a happy day, Kat!

Dec 06, 2021 08:31 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

That is a great story of doing the best we can to help our clients

Dec 06, 2021 06:34 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Ed, This one was very special!

Dec 06, 2021 08:32 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That's a wonderful story, Margaret.  At this stage in her life, being debt free has to have special meaning!

Dec 06, 2021 06:50 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Yes, a very special meaning.

Dec 06, 2021 08:33 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Margaret, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Dec 06, 2021 06:50 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks for the feature Myrl Jeffcoat 

Dec 06, 2021 08:33 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret I can identify with how she felt.  My wife and I became what I consider debt free a couple of years ago, and it feels GREAT.  You should be very proud of helping your client achieve that.

Dec 06, 2021 12:24 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

George Souto, Congratulations on your debt-free status!

Take a look at my update. The note arrived in my snail mail today!

Dec 06, 2021 06:09 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

What a beautiful story  Margaret! The personal note is the real paycheck. It warms my heart to read what a difference you've made in someone else's life. To be debt-free is a such a huge milestone. To be debt-free just shy of 80 years old must be a huge relief. To be debt-free just shy of 80 when you never expected to be, has to be a true Christmas miracle for Barbara - and you! 

Please enter it into our December challenge! 

Dec 07, 2021 06:50 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Andrea Bedard, This one was quite special. Thanks for taking the time to host this month's challenge. I am so looking forward to reading all the entries. And I just entered! 🙃

Dec 07, 2021 09:47 AM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

So glad you did! We all could use some (Holiday) magic Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400. Don't forget to post a link in a comment under the original contest post - after you wrote the 2nd one that is 😊 There are some wonderful entries already, and it's only December 7th!

I hope Barbara will have the most special Christmas this year, and the buyer, too! 

Dec 07, 2021 11:58 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thanks for the encouragement, I spoke with Barbara today and she is still smiling

Dec 07, 2021 06:35 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Congratulations to you both!  What a fantastic feeling it is to not just help someone sell a home, but realize even more benefit than they thought was possible.

Dec 08, 2021 08:51 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Chris Ann Cleland, You certainly understand the benefit of helping others. Don't forget to take care of yourself!

Dec 08, 2021 11:43 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

That, my dear friend Margaret, is you living your bucket list... helping other people! 💖

Dec 31, 2021 07:46 AM