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RealtorMarney April Blooms

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Real Estate Agent with Cummings & Co. Realtors

This month's ActiveRain Challenge is about April Blooms.

We are to talk about our April Blooms - be it in business, family, or life story - we are to share what bloomed and how it affected you. 

When I first started my career in Baltimore real estate in 1998, I was young and looked even younger.

While trying to build my business, I worked part time as an assistant to the manager in our real estate office and worked with high producing agents on the side creating flyers, taking photos, and the like. I learned so much from both side jobs - how to draft a good offer, how to do paperwork correctly, and how to set myself apart from other agents with my graphic designs and offerings.

I worked floor duty whenever possible, and stepped in when someone had to cancel.

My bloom happened with a couple who I just worked with again, 26 years later, last week.

It was 1999, and I was working floor duty. This couple called on a house listed with my office. The listing agent was not in, and didn't have a cell phone (yes, back in the day before cell phones were attached to our hands!) so the call went to me. After a few qualifying questions and lending in place, we set an appointment to meet at the house.

Unfortunately, something came up, and the buyers had to meet me separately at the house.

The husband and I looked at the house, and then they switched, and I waited for the wife to arrive. 

"You really ARE young," she said as we went into the house.

I don't remember my response, but it was apparently both funny and appropriate, because we developed a great relationship from there.

They needed to sell their house, too, and had not done so before. I met with them again and demonstrated my knowledge and marketing.

"You remind us so much of our daughter, Marney. We talked about it a lot, and we said we would want someone to give HER a chance, so we want to work with you."

My heart swelled with joy.

Not only did I sell their house and navigated a few tough issues, I sold them another house...and 26 years later I just sold that house so they could move into a retirement community.

They are such a wonderful couple - giving, warm...and really helped my self-confidence 26 years ago. They helped me to bloom!

Thank you to Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 and Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 for this challenge!

____________________________________________________________________________________

For any real estate needs in Towson, Maryland or around the Baltimore Metropolitan area,

THINK MARNEY IN MARYLAND!

Marney Kirk

Cummings & Co. Realtors

108 W. Timonium Road, Suite 100, Timonium, MD 21093

E-mail: marney@realtormarney.com 

Website: www.realtormarney.com 

Office: 410-823-0033 Cell: 410-493-4884

 

Comments(13)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Marney - your story illustrates how our own blossoming can occur in ways that may not have been previously imagined.  The world is our garden of sorts where nurturing can be quite beneficial.  

Apr 26, 2025 06:38 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Thank you for sharing this story! Sometimes that's all it takes - a chance!

Apr 26, 2025 06:42 AM
Peter Mohylsky Gulf Front Homes
Property Management International-Destin - Inlet Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

A very nice story to share about building relationships in real life and business.  

Apr 26, 2025 06:45 AM
Dennis Neal
Exp Realty of Southern California, Inc. - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

Marney, what a heartwarming story about your early career "bloom" in Baltimore real estate! It's wonderful to hear how that initial chance encounter blossomed into a long-term relationship, culminating in helping the same couple move into their retirement community 26 years later. That early trust they placed in you clearly had a lasting impact, both professionally and personally. A true testament to the power of making genuine connections!

Apr 26, 2025 08:12 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

What a wonderful story you shared with us here in the Rain Marney Kirk We all have points of beginnings and establishing rapport with current, repeat and future customers/clients.😎

Apr 26, 2025 08:21 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

What a wonderful story you shared with us in the Rain Marney Kirk 

We all have points of beginnings and establishing rapport.  Great that you connecting with these folks😎

Apr 26, 2025 08:23 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

The business is such that it only takes a single instance to give us the confidence to push and succeed. You seem to hit all the right buttons at the beginning, and it helped you. Well done.

Apr 26, 2025 10:05 AM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

That is so amazing. Thanks for sharing, make it a great Saturday and enjoy your weekend!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Apr 26, 2025 10:06 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I love this post, everything about it is wonderful, how you learned and took advantage of the opportunities offered to you. How you bloomed with confidence and how all these years later they are still coming to you for help. Good stuff. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful contribution to our challenge this month

Apr 26, 2025 12:18 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks, Marney Kirk! What a beautiful story of growth and connection—it's amazing how relationships can blossom over the years. 🌸 I appreciate you sharing this heartfelt journey; it’s a great reminder of the impact we can have on one another in this business!

Apr 26, 2025 12:31 PM
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 Marney,
Your story proves that genuine relationships, built on trust and heart, can span decades and seasons of life. Thank you for sharing such an inspiring journey!

Apr 27, 2025 10:12 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Those are definitely some beautiful blooms in the photo and I really enjoyed your blooming story!  Thank you very much for sharing it with us!!!

Apr 27, 2025 04:47 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

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

This is inspirational reading for young agents.

Best wishes for continued success!

Apr 29, 2025 08:50 AM