Yes, that Terry Watson. The fantastic speaker who can make any subject come alive was a feature of yesterday's Maryland Association of Realtor's conference in Ocean City. Thanks to my friend, Anne Hruby, I had a front-row seat for his class, "At Home With Diversity" in which he talked about different cultures and how important it is to know about them for any Realtor®. For instance, did you know that for most Asians, the number 4 relates to death? All my listings have prices that end in "944" (read here for why). (Once had an Asian seller who would not let me use "my" number so in that case we used "988."

Terry had so much good information for us, such as how underused www.Realtor.org is by most agents. Check the library, Field Guide and ProQuest, and you'll see that there are many magazines and newspapers available free for our use, including things like the Wall Street Journal that usually require a paid subscription. What a resource!

He also talked about having a content-rich website like Alice Held's Arizona Real Estate and Relocation Guide. Alice is a CyberStar®, and has  a website that explains to buyers and sellers..what happens next in a transaciton and explains how to negotiate. 

Terry also suggests that we include two to three books on negotiation in our reading every year. "In business as in life, it's not what you deserve, it's what you negotiate." He points out that you can take a $2,000 course or buy this book for less than $10 on Amazon! Terry  has an extensive recommended reading list on his website that's worth taking a look. While you're at it, consider Rosetta Stone software to help you learn another language, another thing Terry recommends.

So where is the surprise in all this? Well about 10 minutes into the session Terry announced "Will Margaret Rome please stand up? This was in front of a packed conference room. When I stood up, he told the audience that it was my birthday.

 He led the group of several hundred in singing "Happy Birthday"  and then presented a gorgeous bouquet of magnificent flowers from my family and friends. My wonderful and thoughtful daughter Erica www.EricaRome.com had planned this surprise  with the help of these special friends Anne Hruby, Gail Harris and Peg Silloway.

Thank you Lee, Erica, Chet, Kathy, Kim, Kyle,Sarah, Anne,Gail, Margie and Peg. And thank you, Terry Watson, for making my birthday very special! 

Note: Terry got a  well deserved, standing ovation for his presentation

www.HomeRome.com

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