margaretromecom: Relying On The MLS Is Not Enough
- 03/23/24 06:51 PM
A few years back, I was selected to list a home. However, the seller had a relative who used to be an agent and wanted to meet me. I had to go through another interview with the seller's relative, a retired and pessimistic agent who had worked in another state ten years ago. During the interview, the former agent said nothing has changed in real estate over the past 30 years except for technology. Anyone can sell a house in this market by putting it on the MLS and waiting for competing offers.
When informed that I needed to share all information … (26 comments)
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margaretromecom: 90-Year-Old Farmhouse on 2.6 Acres
- 10/21/23 04:47 PM
"Charming 90-Year-Old Farmhouse on 2.6 Acres in Stevenson: Your Dream Home Awaits!" 3436 Halcyon Rd 21153 Look at this property on the site of my friend and colleague Andrea Bedard. "This Old Haus." This is a charmer, a 90-year-old farm-style house, a hidden gem sitting on 2.6 acres of magnificent Stevenson land, and it's looking for its new owner. Whether you enter through the front porch door and foyer or the covered back porch, you'll immediately feel the warmth and coziness of this fantastic property. The farmhouse exudes old-world charm, simplicity, and warmth, making … (13 comments)
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margaretromecom: We Came We Saw We Contracted
- 06/10/22 08:03 AM
You have a buyer, you know what they want, but it is not on the market. What to do? Find it!
And that is just what happened. I have buyers with specific needs. I have put the word out on my radio show and got a call from a trusted agent that a new listing was ready to go on the market in a few weeks. Let me know when it goes live and is ready for showing.
A few days ago, I got a text late afternoon that the new listing was available. It was going live the next day. I … (11 comments)
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margaretromecom: Safety On Live Radio
- 05/18/22 09:12 PM
This past month, I was privileged to take the two-day CSI safety course taught by Robert Siciliano.
The six hours of classes presented were on two separate Tuesdays.
Thanks to ActiveRain, this was set up directly from our Tuesday Zoom meetings.
And we all received the NAR CSI certification.
This past Sunday, May 15th, Robert was a guest on my radio show. It was an honor to share the limelight with Robert, and hopefully, we will continue to spread the word about the importance of safety in our industry.
May 15th podcast CLICK to listen.
So much to learn. So much sharing. Always something new … (8 comments)
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margaretromecom: Start Worrying, Details To Follow
- 05/15/22 08:31 AM
An early morning conversation with my AR friend Elyse Berman, PA inspired this post. She shared a joke: The telegram read:
'Start worrying; details to follow.'
And I was thinking about Communication the Rome Way!
Knowing your buyers and sellers is the first step in how you communicate. Always ask upfront how and when they would like contact from you. Some only want a text, others are happy with an email, and others need a direct phone call.
Here are some of the responses and observations when I ask about staying in touch.
-Only contact me if you have an acceptable offer. In other words, you … (53 comments)
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margaretromecom: I'm In Matchmaker Mode
- 05/11/22 10:19 AM
There was a call from a potential buyer who saw one of the homes on my website.
He was interested in this mid-century rancher and was having trouble finding this style. He was not aware of any homes of this type in the Baltimore area. Even though the property he called on was sold this past year, I offered to help find a similar one.
Asking for his wish list, the following are the particulars we are looking for in either Baltimore or Howard County
-Three or more bedrooms
- A rancher at least 3000'
-One-two acre lot
-A two-car garage.
-Basement is optional
-Price range … (14 comments)
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margaretromecom: View From The Vue
- 05/06/22 09:54 PM
675 President Street
Baltimore, Md 21202
The VUE # 1905
I loved working with Michael and Alex, finding their beautiful first home, and settling today! You can "hear" Alex's smile under that mask holding the keys!
We got such a great deal on this 19th floor in this high rise in The Vue in Baltimore. We looked at different homes, including single, row homes, and other condos, but it was love at first sight when we entered this fabulous condo. My goodness, look at the views from the primary suite.
It has two bedrooms, two full baths, and an open floor plan, so bright with the … (19 comments)
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margaretromecom: Don't Ask Me To Do It Again
- 05/03/22 07:04 PM
Recently entered a post in May's Contest, answering 21 questions. The one that got noticed by a favorite client was # 18 about changing a dryer belt. I promised to share why!
Years ago, I had to call a plumber because there was no hot water entering my washing machine. The problem the plumber found; the hot and cold hoses switched. How would I have known? It only took a second to change.
So the next day, when the dryer stopped, I was not going to call the recently belittling contractor. I somehow figured out it was a broken belt. I purchased a … (18 comments)
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margaretromecom: Getting To Know Me With Twenty-One Answers
- 05/02/22 02:02 PM
Almost everything about me is in one of my 4,735 blogs. You can read my book, listen to Bob Stewart's interview, listen to my weekly radio show or ask away, especially if it's all about real estate.
Most questions I have addressed in a previous post. I like this month's contest learning more about other members. Want to know something about me?
Go ahead and post it in the comments below or feel free to give me a call.
Here is my number
410-530-2400
And now, to answer the 21 questions:
1. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
RN, Head Nurse … (27 comments)
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margaretromecom: Safety First
- 04/30/22 11:32 AM
I recently had the opportunity to take and complete the CSI Certification course. The class was offered right here on ActiveRain and presented by Robert Siciliano.
In today's mail, I received the package containing this certificate below, a personal safety device, and booklets for buyers and sellers with tips on protecting your family and your property.
It is a wonderfully busy time in Real Estate, but I am so glad that I could fit in this six-hour course that should be mandatory, IMHO, for every real estate professional.
For more information, check out www.protectnowllc.com.
When buying, selling, and showing properties, always be aware of … (12 comments)
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margaretromecom: Old And Quaint But Up To Date -A Hampden Row Home
- 04/08/22 09:41 AM
3542 Buena Vista Ave
Hampden
Baltimore, Md 21211
MLS MDBA2040592
Baltimore Row House May Be Old And Quaint But Is Up To Date
This artist's home is also a working studio. Located in the Hampden area of Baltimore, close to Roosevelt Park, this row house, according to tax records, was built in 1880.
Check out the creativity of a working studio. Maybe I'm a bit partial since I was also a clay artist.
The colorful stained glass kitchen counters are another touch by this artist/owner.
Click To See Photos
This home is a charmer with its whimsy pottery display, nine-foot ceilings, and stained glass adorning the windows.
The first-floor laundry room … (16 comments)
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margaretromecom: Time To Move Faster
- 04/04/22 07:52 AM
If you like the house, let it be known because this is not the time to tell the Listing Agent all the wrong things, like you wanted a finished basement and thought you could negotiate a better deal. Others might be interested in that home, and if you use your old 'negotiating skills,' you have a good chance of losing it for your buyer.
I try to stay in touch and follow up with each person/agent who has seen one of my listings. If the buyer's agent told me their clients were interested but never followed up and, days later, presented … (15 comments)
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margaretromecom: Open House 8205 Tama Ct. Stevenson 21208
- 04/03/22 06:30 AM
Open House 4-3-2022
Sunday 2-3
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 Photos
8205 Tama Ct
Stevenson 21208
MLS #MDBC2011878
Check out this Stevenson move-in-ready rancher with five bedrooms, two and a half luxury baths, an in-ground fenced pool, and a 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 … (10 comments)
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margaretromecom: How To Find A Contractor In Baltimore
- 04/02/22 08:20 AM
A caller from my radio show is looking to do some major updates to his home. These are necessary repairs if he plans to stay or put his house on the market. But he wants me to suggest a contractor or help him find someone he can trust?
I do not recommend vendors that I have not personally worked with or know someone who has.
Some people call me asking how they can get on my referral list.
Simple, do great work, stand by it and give me some recent references.
And then call those folks. Ask specific questions like:
Was … (12 comments)
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margaretromecom: The Weston Receives A Too Late Sign
- 03/30/22 10:30 PM
9945 Middle Mill Drive
Owings Mills, MD. 21117
3 Bedrooms
2 Full Baths
MLS BC2028684
CLICK TO SEE PHOTOS
This exceptional contemporary home, located in Owings Mills, is minutes from 795.
One floor living with no steps, the Owner's suite has two large closets and a luxury bathroom with two showers.
Along with the two-car garage and laundry, there is access to both decks from this main level. It has … (4 comments)
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margaretromecom: Get Out Of Town
- 03/27/22 08:54 PM
For some sellers, this may be for you.
If you have worked for months getting your home ready for sale. Packing, donating, trashing, cleaning, painting, lifting, schlepping, fixing, repairing, and staging. All in preparation leading up to the professional photography session and getting the house ready for the MLS listing.
Now that's done, the very best thing you could do is
Get Out Of Town
And I mean take a mini-vacation, go to a nearby luxury hotel and spend a few days. Go to the spa.
You deserve some time off, a much-needed rest after your big undertaking, and it is an excellent way to … (18 comments)
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margaretromecom: Single Family Home In Reisterstown
- 03/21/22 10:30 PM
27 E Chatsworth Ave 21136
Single Family Reisterstown Home
MLS MDBC2028682
Click To See Photos
Getting a home ready for sale is not easy to do. That's especially true for a contractor's family and a houseful of beautiful children.
So when the photos came, I knew right away there would not be fifty-plus pictures like I have on other properties.
The home built in 1945 was initially two homes (a duplex) with a dividing wall and two front and back doors. Along the way, an owner converted it into a single-family home. The screened front porch and the kitchen now measure 32' wide.
Family kitchen … (10 comments)
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margaretromecom: Better Late Than Never
- 12/17/21 08:45 PM
Here is a post I started for the December miracle challenge, but it didn't close until February 14th, so I guess it was Valentine's day miracle.
'Draft for the contest:
We are now 19 days past our original SS date. Remember (my rant )
It's the weekend before Xmas. My seller moved out of state on the assurance of a closing.
When communication was lost (no calls, texts, or emails returned; I reached out to the president of the lending company. The lender asked me if I wanted him to deny the loan. The RE agent reprimanded me for calling the president of the … (13 comments)
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margaretromecom: Fifteen Acre Baltimore Estate For Sale
- 11/08/21 06:50 PM
A place for family and income, too!
10515 Harford Rd 21057
MLS MDBC2015386
Too See Photos
What an opportunity ...a beautiful home, first-floor primary suite, laundry, gourmet kitchen, gleaming hardwood floors, living and dining rooms, plus wrap-around porches with remote control screens.
And upstairs are three more bedrooms (2 en-suite) and an open sitting room (or fifth bedroom) with a balcony and a gas fireplace. All four bedrooms have walk-in closets.
Access pond from primary bedroom
The entire lower level with high ceilings is ready to finish and has access from private stairs inside the attached three-car garage.
In addition to the beautiful home, there are another dozen … (22 comments)
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margaretromecom: Double Duty Blog
- 10/25/21 03:32 PM
Those of us who have been blogging for a while may want to reuse those past posts. Copying one of my previous articles is an excellent way to save time, and it's good publicity.
Not necessary to reinvent the wheel. Are you repurposing any of your blog posts?
After blogging since 2006 that's fifteen years, I have found ways to reuse the content. They can do double or triple duty, so why not repurpose it?
Here is a posting from this past month that I will use in a marketing piece, and this is how it will look.
Using the original blog content on ALL ABOUT … (18 comments)
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A few years back, I was selected to list a home. However, the seller had a relative who used to be an agent and wanted to meet me. I had to go through another interview with the seller's relative, a retired and pessimistic agent who had worked in another state ten years ago. During the interview, the former agent said nothing has changed in real estate over the past 30 years except for technology. Anyone can sell a house in this market by putting it on the MLS and waiting for competing offers. 
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