Admin

My Second Best Close Prior To Real Estate

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

I had just graduated from Nursing School and had my dream job working in the Pediatric Clinic at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. It was time for my first car, my graduation gift from my mom. When I went car shopping, I found the perfect vehicle. Sitting on the dealer's lot was a white (less than a year old) convertible Chevelle Malibu with a red leather interior. Yep, I was in love! The price was $2995.00

My budget was only $2000, and I decided to try something.   I had a check made out to the dealership for two grand. What did I have to lose? I told the dealer I wanted to take the car to my mechanic, and if it checked out, I wanted to purchase it.

Without any discussion, I handed him a check one-third less than the asking sticker price. He reached for the check, saw the amount, and shook his head "no"  I remained quiet (it seemed like a long time) but did not release my grip.

 Note: he never let go of my check. And my $2,000 offer was accepted by the owner!

That was my second-best close.

Ok, here is my best close forever!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Thinking of selling your home

Call  Margaret Rome

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Radio Host ALL ABOUT REAL ESTATE
Sundays 12 noon.

Author: Real Estate The Rome Way

About me
My blog
My website
My radio podcasts

(410) 530-2400
CALL OR TEXT

EMAIL ME

Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret - a car success story can be the vehicle that drives an outcome to additional positive steps forward.   

Sep 26, 2022 05:12 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Michael, As always I love your pondering mind!

 

Sep 27, 2022 06:19 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Margaret, for sharing this story.

My father gave me a new car when I graduated from college. It was a Plymouth station wagon. I used it during law school and it was my first business car when I opened a real estate office.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Sep 26, 2022 05:36 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Roy, A Plymouth station wagon must have been a perfect RE car!

Sep 27, 2022 06:20 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

If you don't ask, the answer will always be "no." It can't hurt to try! Great job!

Sep 26, 2022 05:41 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

In this case, it didn't hurt to try, Kat.

Sep 27, 2022 06:21 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Margaret,

I love you car story! I always say put in in writing! What is the worse that can happen? they say no, they counter or reject! Loved you got it..taught you early the art of negotiation!

Sep 26, 2022 05:54 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

He could only say no! And I had nothing to lose. Loved that car, Dorie!

Sep 27, 2022 06:22 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Such a beautiful car for sure. Happy Monday, here's to a productive day. Sell a house. Bill

Sep 26, 2022 06:06 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thank you, Bill!

Sep 27, 2022 06:22 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That is some good negotiating on your part and I am glad that you got the car!

Sep 26, 2022 06:53 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Brian, I learned early!

Sep 27, 2022 06:23 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Margaret - I loved chevys and I love that car.  My was a chevy impala.

Sep 26, 2022 06:55 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Grant, My next car was a chevy impala. 

Sep 27, 2022 06:24 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Don't ask. Don't know. 

The lessons of transforming a 'no' to a yes. 

Well done!

 

Sep 26, 2022 07:15 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Never know til you ask. Kathleen, that was a great experience at the time.

Sep 27, 2022 06:25 AM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Oh my gracious they don't make cars like they used to for sure.  That is a gorgeous classic.  Thanks for sharing and have a fabulous day!

Sep 26, 2022 07:59 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Norma, I did love that car!

Sep 27, 2022 06:25 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

Hi Margaret,
That car looks sweet! I bet you had fun driving it around.

Your car story reminded me of the first home I bought in 1973. The list price was $26,000 with an $18,000 assumable mortgage. This meant I had to come up with $8,000 cash difference. I told them I only had $2,000 and they took it!  You never know until you ask. 

Sep 26, 2022 08:09 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Carol, You knew what you wanted. You knew how much you could afford, and you made the offer. It worked for  you

Sep 27, 2022 06:27 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

What a great story and memory. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great week ahead.

Sep 26, 2022 08:58 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Good to see you, Pat!

Sep 27, 2022 06:27 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Margaret- love the car!  My dad bought me a Plymouth Valiant when I was 16 and when I saw it, I hated it. But it was wheels so I learned to like it. I got a used Cutlass Olds in college and the first car I bought was a used Datsun 280Z. Loved it. I love the lesson you shared...you won't know unless you ask. 

Sep 26, 2022 07:06 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kathy Streib 

I'm glad you got your 280Z and loved it!

 

Sep 27, 2022 06:29 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Now that was one sweet ride for you Margaret!  I bet you loved, loved, loved driving around in it!  You were a born negotiator!  And why am I not shocked one tiny bit by that!  LOL

Sep 27, 2022 10:07 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Featured in BananaTude!

Sep 27, 2022 10:08 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret I learned very early on in my sales career that he/her who talks first loses.  ☺️

By the way my very first car was a white Chevy Nova.

Sep 27, 2022 04:22 PM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

That was great Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 .  I remember when cars cost $ 3000.  

Sep 29, 2022 05:12 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Elyse Berman, PA Things were a bit different back then. :)

Sep 29, 2022 08:03 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks,  Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker, for the feature. And yes it was a  sweet ride!

Sep 29, 2022 07:44 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

George Souto,  "...he who talks first loses" is a good one to learn. I'm sure you enjoyed that Nova. 

Sep 29, 2022 07:47 PM