More and more, I am hearing from buyers, and some tell me they are giving up. They have a fear of buying a house.  One couple visiting my open house said they stopped looking more than six months ago after five rejected offers. They were strongly encouraged to waive inspections and appraisal contingency. They were afraid and not something they would consider. Buyers are frustrated, and they don't want to be a "bother" to their agent, so they call the listing agent. This action may not be a good situation for buyers who may be giving up representation. These buyers are easy pickings for some agents. Yes, I have heard many backstories from the public-thanks to my radio show listeners who call "anonymously "during the week. And I am receiving calls from parents to help find a home for thei... 01/25/2022

  When working with a real estate agent, you want to see only the homes that meet your needs. Time is one thing we cannot get back. Research with your Realtor® to rule out the properties that will not work, whether it is style, location, or proximity to work. Questions about finding that right homeCall Margaret Rome410-530-2400 01/24/2022

.So what does one do when something works? You, of course, REPEAT! Since I have a scheduled showing on 8502 Tema  Court in Stevenson at two today, I am doing an Open from 2:30-3:30.Yesterday I did the same only from 12-1. Since I already had a scheduled appointment, I turned it into a one-hour open house. The temperatures were in the teens yesterday morning, and I figured no would show. Wrong again! I unlocked the house, turned all the lights on, returned to the front door, and began greeting visitors. And those visitors continued until after two o'clock. One hour is a little longer than it used to be.A pleasant surprise Ed Cremmins a  Mortgage Loan Officer, showed up, and I put him right to work. We had to keep the folks separated, and this home was large enough to do this safely.Every... 01/23/2022

  How Not to Show the Wrong House  Showing the wrong house to a buyer wastes time for everyone. Knowing your buyer's parameters is very important.When working with buyers, I have them make out a wish list. You can narrow down the showings when you know your buyer's preferences.Research and Ask Questions!When the buyer picks several houses to view, I go over each one BEFORE we go out. I research the MLS and question the listing agents if the description is vague. I let the buyers know what they have and do not have based on their wish list. Often, houses are ruled out by this research...saving valuable time. If I see a property that seems right even though it does not fit their list, I may still tell them about it. They decide if this is one to be considered.   Making appointments helps ... 01/22/2022

Open House 1-23-2022 This  3000’  all brick and stone rancher is a contemporary gem with one entire floor of gracious living…one level with no steps.Click To See The Slideshow Photos8205 Tama CtStevenson 21208MLS #MDBC2011878Check out this  Stevenson move-in-ready rancher with five bedrooms, two and a half luxury baths, an in-ground fenced pool, and a quiet cul-de-sac location.   Notice the beautiful curved stone wood-burning fireplace in the living room.And gleaming wood floors shows the quality of this recent renovation.  Custom designed twenty-seven-foot kitchen includes clean lines with lots of granite, ceramic tile,  an abundant amount of custom wood cabinets and is ideal for the gourmet cook. Enjoy easy living with the stainless three-door refrigerator, double wall ovens, five-bur... 01/21/2022

7520 Seven Mile LaneBaltimore County 21208MLS# MDBC2003390 Seven Mile and Smith Ave Desirable location!7520 Seven Mile Lane Too LateOne lucky buyer has found an excellent opportunity to own this single-family home set up as two living units. The second floor has a private entrance from the large covered front porch, three bedrooms, a full bath, and a  room with either a laundry or kitchen!  The main level has an eat-in kitchen, access to the deck, and a level rear-fenced yard. The First-floor bedroom with walk-in closet/office/ sunroom has a half bath and Pella sliding glass door to the deck. Also on this first level is a dining room, living room, wood-burning fireplace, hardwood floors, and another full bath. The lower level is finished with a 19 x 20 carpeted space, has a laundry, a d... 01/18/2022

 Bigger May Or May Not Be Better In Real Estate Is it better to purchase a smaller house in an exclusive neighborhood or a larger home in a less desirable area? Is there a correct answer? Well, it depends. Some only want a specific community and are comfortable with that smaller home in what they perceive as the "better" neighborhood.Others with sizable families and special needs, priced out of their desired neighborhoods, need to find the most affordable house in the most suitable area.From my experience selling unique properties, I find that some want that unusual, exciting home, and location is not the first priority-it is the actual house that is important. After all, they are living inside the house. And when they find that architectural gem, they go for it.One of my buyers wants t... 01/15/2022

 We met for an early dinner just this past October 2001, and it was so good seeing both Gary and Lauren. They were in town for the Baltimore Boat Show. And we had a few precious hours to catch up. Gary was  Floyd Wickman Sweathog Master Trainer, guru, teacher, confidant, and above all, a dear friend. So happy he was able to attend daughter Olivia's wedding last month.   Below photo MSA 1998  Here are a few blogs that mention GaryA RE referral Deal 2020Mentioning Gary Sisson 2020 GBGAA call from Gary 4 years agoGary Sisson A bit of paradise 13 years ago Join me this Sunday at 12-noon  when I dedicate the radio show to our dear Gary.    01/13/2022

  It was back in 2006 when I got bitten by the blogging bug. My background as a nurse and artist did not train me to write or host a radio show. To do both, I found what is most needed is these three traits passion, consistency, and uniqueness.  -Passion- Anyone who knows me has experienced my passion, whether it was my nursing, ceramic art, or my 47-year marriage, where we counted every day. I love what I do! The passion drives me.  -Consistency-When you love what you do, it's natural to sustain a routine, including daily phone calls and daily commenting. And on that same note showing up and hosting a live weekly radio show.  -Uniqueness-Marching to your drummer and stick to your convictions. Don't be afraid to try a new concept. Instead of looking for approval, find what works for you... 01/12/2022

7520 Seven Mile LaneBaltimore County 21208MLS# MDBC2003390 Seven Mile and Smith Ave Desirable location! Here is an excellent opportunity to own a single-family home set up as two living units. The second floor has a private entrance from the large covered front porch, three bedrooms, a full bath, and a laundry/kitchen!  The main level has an eat-in kitchen, breakfast bar,  access to the deck, and rear fenced yard. The First-floor bedroom with walk-in closet/office/ sunroom has a half bath and Pella sliding glass door to the deck. Also on this first level is a dining room, living room, wood-burning fireplace, hardwood floors, and another full bath. The lower level, finished with a 19 x 20 carpeted space, has the laundry, a recent radiant gas hot water furnace, a door to the outside, and ... 01/11/2022

I had a delightful caller this past week. He listened to my radio show, asking about one of my listed properties. This gentleman, out of town, has been looking for the past two years without success. He is a first-time homebuyer and qualified with a lender. He has his down payment and is ready to go. But life had a few challenges as he was a victim of identity theft. Not easy to clean this up and prove that your financing is in order. But he has done it and is ready to try again.The home he called on would have been perfect. It was a single-family home, in his price range but already under contract. So during our conversation, I found out he is looking for a modest home; he would like a little bit of privacy, two to three bedrooms, one or more baths. A couple of trees to hang a hammock ... 01/08/2022

 Dealing with unusual and unique homes, I find that one person's perceived obstacle may be another's reason to purchase.   When touring a home to list, I am aware of things that could be negative for a buyer. I ask the present owner what they like and what they don't like about their house. And when working with buyers and touring potential properties, I will ask the same questions. What is your favorite feature, and what don't you like? You can learn a great deal about the buyer's intent with the question. Here are a few examples where one sees possible obstacles, and the other sees potential opportunities.  - One level home built on slab-lack of storage     Accessible to everyone -First-floor Condo-security concern   People with phobias of elevators or heights and patio gardeners -No ... 01/07/2022

 I have been a listing agent for most of my real estate career. But in today's market, sellers are saying; we will not be listed until we find the right place to move. I need to find their next property to get that listing on the market. That means I am also working as a buyer's agent.      They are concerned about the possibility of two moves. They asked me to look at their home to see what ballpark price they could expect. That's when we discussed the client's motivation. Are they ready to sell? Are they prepared to buy? Many cannot move until their home is under contract and have the available proceeds. But others are more concerned about finding a suitable home than selling their current house. Do you see how people can be stuck, even paralyzed, in making a decision? This process ne... 01/06/2022

Size does not matter when selling your house.Ranchers of all sizes are needed. Buyers in the Baltimore area are looking for Ranchers, Single Level Living, and size does not matter. Do you have a sizable rancher? Do you have a small rancher? Do you have any size home with the primary bedroom and laundry on the main level?The buyers I have are qualified, flexible, and can accommodate your moving schedule. Are you thinking of moving?Do you have a home to sell?  Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome  01/04/2022

 The real estate company is only as good as the agent you choose! The school is only as good as the teacher your child gets!   The Hospital is Only as Good as the Doctor Who Treats You!   When associated with the big real estate company, I asked three questions on a listing appointment. Now and there are only two questions.           Are you 100% sure you want to sell your house?   Are you 100% sure you want to use me?   The third question used to be: "Do you have any questions about the company I work for?" Most times, there were none, but on occasion, when the potential client  asked about the brokerage, I got this kind of response: 'Oh, I can't use you. We once had an agent from that company, and we will never use them again, or my friend used them and had a bad experience.'  That's ... 01/03/2022

 NO  to moving into the house before settlement! There will be times that a buyer or their agent requests an early occupancy. That means they want to occupy the house before settlement. There may be a "tiny " glitch with the Clear-To-Close, and the buyer's lease is up, and they were planning to move into the new house. They are all packed, and their possessions are on the moving truck. The request may come in different ways. -It's only for the weekend. -Can we put our furniture in the house?-There's a delivery scheduled, and we need access. -Can I store my artwork and accessories in the garage? -The loan is "almost" approved. -We should have CTC in 24 hours. -My clients will be homeless if you don't make an exception. -You have our  EMD, so you know we are moving forward. -We can pay re... 01/02/2022

 January's Challenge, hosted by Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES, asks us to reflect on the most significant change the internet has brought to our business—both the way we do business and our clients do business with us.   In many ways, my load is lighter. There is no need for map books, compass, tape measure, fax machine, copy machine, camera, film, photo developing or making seven copies of each contract offer, so everyone had a signed original. We have our smartphones that can do most things that we used to need extra equipment.There's no need for TV or radio for weather reports, no newspapers for the news, no movie theaters for film, no set day to schedule for your favorite show. Just program it all.I have delegated my listing photos to a professional photographer allowing me to input ... 01/01/2022

It may be time to move, but where?There is a shortage of condos in Baltimore with first-floor bedrooms, laundry, and garages. And we don't have any of the new planned 55 plus communities. For this type of living, owners are moving to other states.Many are looking for a more manageable lifestyle when they give up their family home. They are not necessarily looking for a smaller home, but they are looking for the "right" house. I see a demand in our older communities for ranchers, and there is a surge in rehabbing the one-story homes. Some are buying the properties for the land, tearing down the existing structure home, and bringing the luxury one-level living back into the community.This move for baby boomers is the next to last, if not the last, house they plan to purchase. Since there ... 12/30/2021

8305 Burning Wood RdStevenson 21208Sold & Settled  Today was the settlement for this contemporary Stevenson rancher. This property turned out to be the right home for my special buyers. It never hit the market, but we were able to get an appointment with the gracious seller, an attorney, and make an offer that was hard to refuse. That was the second week of November, and today, December 29, the buyers signed for this forever home. I love selling homes between Thanksgiving and New Year.I wish the buyers many years of making happy memories in their new home. Thinking of buying or selling a homeCall Margaret Rome  12/29/2021

 There have been occasions when I have worked with someone for a while, showing them houses that we think are right or want to see. One day they say, "This is the one - I want this house."Instead of whipping out a contract offer and saying "Sign here," try asking a few questions first. Many years ago, I helped a friend avoid what could have been a mistake. And we did it with questions. "What do you like so much about this house?" She answered with the obvious things - the land around it, the building that would house her office, and a decent-sized garage for her husband.Those are the tangibles, the things that are easy to identify.  It's the intangibles that make you feel safe, happy, and relaxed when you walk into the right home. This house was older, had small rooms and low ceilings. ... 12/27/2021