Embracing Life’s Lessons The Rome Way

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

Embracing Life’s Lessons The Rome Way

 

The loss of my father

 

 My daddy was a diabetic, and I gave him insulin shots as a little girl.  He died of a heart attack at forty-nine.  At eight years old, I knew I going to be a nurse! 

 

My father's death made me appreciate each day spent with MY LEE.   We counted every day (16,802) of our marriage.

 

Mother, a widow with two young kids, ran the restaurant business, opening from six in the morning until nine at night.  What a role model!  Mom taught by example, never missing one day in all those years. Maybe there is no coincidence that I've missed one live radio show in ten years.

 

 

A Car Accident

A car accident (I was rear-ended) put an end to my custom-designed porcelains.

Since I refused back and neck surgery, the doctors told me not to lift anything over five pounds. Pretty tough to continue as a potter; my box of clay weighed fifty pounds!

Urged by a cold calling Realtor®, also a former nurse, she asked if I wanted to sell my house 'now or in the near future.' That conversation led to my taking the Real Estate licensing course to tide me over until I could once again work in clay.

It didn't happen.  That was in 1990, and it was real estate 100%!

My Lee used to dare me when I took on a seemingly impossible property.  It would go like this: If you can get that 'unsalable' property to settlement, I will kiss your ____ in Macy's New York window.  I loved coming home from a particularly challenging transaction saying. "Get ready; we are going to The Big Apple." 

Selling unique, or as some call them, unsalable homes, I have made a niche for myself... Bring on the hard-to-sell properties or ones that have been on the market a little longer than forever.

Embracing Life’s Lessons The Rome Way

 

Thank you for the August 2023 Challenge: Embracing Life's Lessons

Hosted by Carol Williams and Anna "Banana" Kruchten 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Radio Host ALL ABOUT REAL ESTATE
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Author: Real Estate The Rome Way

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Comments (19)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret - "touching" seems to be an appropriate word for this post.  Your title obviously connects that too.  

Aug 22, 2023 03:04 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

You always have the right comment, Michael Jacobs.

Aug 23, 2023 06:08 AM
Michael Jacobs

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - many industry references indicate real estate is a contact sport of sorts.  Needless to say, we know it's competitive.  

Aug 23, 2023 06:20 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Margaret... your post so clearly illustrated how we've all had our own crosses to bear in life and that as that old saying goes "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Aug 22, 2023 03:45 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Nina Hollander, Broker, And some make lemon meringue pie.

Aug 23, 2023 06:11 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 geez, Margaret... now you'll have me craving lemon meringue pie the rest of the day! :)

Aug 23, 2023 09:16 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. Your determination and love for the business has many hiring "too late" and the few lucky ones hearing "settled and closed". Enjoy your day.

Aug 22, 2023 04:22 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Good morning, and thank you, Wayne Martin, You always have the perfect comment.

Aug 23, 2023 06:12 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Isn't it so interesting looking back and seeing the connections that brought us to where we are today? Because of your experiences with your dad, you knew what your first career was. Because of a major life experience (the car accident) you found your second career which became a very successful niche. Thank you for sharing!

Aug 22, 2023 04:45 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kat Palmiotti Interesting that a contest like this makes you realize what is learned from these life lessons.

Aug 23, 2023 06:16 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

Good morning, Margaret.
It is obvious the Rome Way has always been to accept the challenges, do whatever needs to be done, and forge ahead. I'm curious, how many trips to the Big Apple did you and Lee take? 🤣

Aug 22, 2023 05:23 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Carol Williams, Way too many to count. 😏

Aug 23, 2023 06:18 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret very few people today have the work ethics your mother had.

Aug 22, 2023 07:44 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

That is so true, George Souto 

Aug 23, 2023 06:19 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Yes, Indeed Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - your way is the Rome Way - custom designed by you, your personality, skills, background, and a strong desire to serve! 

Aug 22, 2023 10:20 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Estate Specialist, And those same words can be said about you, my friend.

Aug 23, 2023 06:20 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Margaret, for sharing some of your personal experience.

Best wishes for continued success in real estate.

Aug 22, 2023 10:25 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thank you so much, Roy Kelley, for your constant participation in the Rain!

Aug 23, 2023 06:30 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wow Margaret I didn't know about your father dying at such a young age.  I knew you were a nurse and that makes sense know, of course you were and I'm sure an excellent one at that. Your Mother was an incredible role model, now wonder you've got more grit than anyone I know.   Inquiring minds want to know - tell us more about your Big Apple trip with Your Lee!!!

Aug 22, 2023 05:04 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Sure! 🥳

Aug 23, 2023 09:26 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Good morning, Anna "Banana" Kruchten Every time we went to NY, we had trouble getting into that darn showcase window. 😋

Aug 23, 2023 06:32 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

We have some similarities, Margaret.  I too lost my father to Diabetes.  And, it was a heart attack that took him out.  I also thought about becoming a nurse, and had an interest in pottery.  I had a potter's wheel and kiln in my garage for several years.  That was back in the 1970s.

Aug 22, 2023 05:29 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Myrl Jeffcoat, That's amazing that we have so many similarities.

Aug 23, 2023 06:34 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

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

Aug 22, 2023 05:36 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Margaret- I can see how your life experiences influenced you and made you who you are. Nurturing your father...learning responsibility and commitment from your Mother's hard efforts, and finally, the support you had from YOUR LEE.  I can see why you are the wonderfully supportive and thoughtful person that you are. 

Aug 22, 2023 06:20 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kathy Streib It's interesting how an AR challenge can make you think about these experiences.

Aug 23, 2023 06:36 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
Relocation to NW AZ with elbow room & more freedom

Your sense of humor is incredible.  Thank you for sharing your life's lessons. 

Aug 25, 2023 07:38 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Leanne Smith It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to go through life without humor. Always good to see you.

Aug 25, 2023 10:49 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Lots of parallels in our lives, Margaret. I love that you learned from life experiences - and by the wonderful example your mother set for you. It's so much easier than having to be 'coached' or trained at a new job, isn't it?!! 

Love your entry!

Aug 28, 2023 03:12 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Debe Maxwell, CRS There are parallels between us, and our nursing careers prepared us for life.

Aug 28, 2023 03:39 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

The phrase "If you like what you do, you will never work a day in your life' seems appropriate to your real estate adventures, The Rome Way.. 

Aug 29, 2023 05:47 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754 That is an appropriate  statement for my RE career.

Aug 29, 2023 06:03 AM