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Hang In There...

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

Real estate is more than just a transaction; it’s about people and their lives. When families buy or sell a home, they often carry a mix of emotions with them: stress, grief, excitement, and fear of change. These feelings can impact the process, even if we try to set them aside. I believe that homes often sell themselves when they are priced and shown honestly. The real challenges usually come from the emotional states of everyone involved.

Recognize that people enter “HANGER” phase, feeling hungry, angry, tired, and emotionally drained. In these moments, even small issues can feel overwhelming, and words can hurt more than we intend.   Resolving challenges doesn’t always require a strong argument. Often, it’s about listening. When people feel heard, the tension eases. What might seem like a dispute over price or repairs often relates to deeper fears, like feeling out of control or unnoticed. Recognizing these feelings allows us to respond with kindness instead of resistance.  We can negotiate with a feather instead of a sledgehammer.

A gentle touch, adjusting our tone, choosing our words carefully, or simply slowing down the conversation, can achieve so much more than pushing harder. Being gentle doesn’t mean being weak; it means being thoughtful and respectful.

Agents play many roles in a transaction. We negotiate, but we also help translate emotions, ease stress, and support families during times of change.

Part of our responsibility is recognizing when someone needs reassurance, a break, or clarity rather than another discussion. Having structure, being clear, and maintaining calm can make a big difference. This perspective comes from years in real estate and from life experiences, love, loss, and the strength to keep moving forward. When we are aware of the “HANGER” phase, listening more, or choosing a gentle approach helps navigate a tough time with less stress. And then we can say, job well done.

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


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Comments(11)

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Patricia Feager
Referral Specialist - DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400  - Excellent advice! If I could put stressful/bad emotions inside an approved prescription bottle by the FDA that tasted like favorite libations that wasn't alcoholic to calm down nerves, I would be rich! Then I would send a case over to those agents that over-react and try to play Defense Attorney (without being a licensed Attorney) when they are just not party to a contract but still play Devil's Advocate assuming they are right and others are wrong without having evidence or facts. 

Feb 08, 2026 07:59 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Patricia Feager, Cute. Maybe take an RX bottle filled with M&Ms and give them out to those who need ''medicating."

Feb 09, 2026 05:21 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. Sometimes a hammer and sometimes a feather. How do you know which to choose? Listen, listen and listen more. Once you understand you are in a position to offer a solution. Getting a buyer or seller off the hanger requires being apprised of the choices and making the right suggestion. Enjoy your show today. 

Feb 08, 2026 08:05 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Wayne Martin

That sledgehammer is never to be used. It is made to be forceful and painful...the feather is the choice!

Feb 09, 2026 05:23 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400  Sometimes we act as psychoanalysts and help clear the air around us . This makes everyone feel better, see everything in a different light, and shine on. Have a beautiful day - Margaret 

Feb 08, 2026 08:19 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Hannah Williams

I use more psychology and psychiatry in RE than when I was an RN.

Feb 09, 2026 05:28 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello and once again another great blog you are sharing with us on this Sunday.  Always great blogs by you.

 

Feb 08, 2026 08:48 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Will Hamm

Thank you!

Feb 09, 2026 05:28 PM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, make it a great Sunday and enjoy your Superbowl. 🏈 #ChandlerRealtor #SellmyGilbertHome

 

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Feb 08, 2026 09:05 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

This is a thoughtful reminder of the human side of our work. Transactions move on contracts and timelines, but outcomes are often shaped by emotions and timing. Your point about listening and recognizing when people are overwhelmed is spot on. A calm, steady approach and a little grace can change the entire tone of a negotiation and often lead to better results for everyone involved.

Feb 08, 2026 09:35 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 

I completely agree; being understanding improves negotiations.

 

Feb 09, 2026 05:33 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs.
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - it is about LISTENING. People do want to be heard. When we listen, they feel that, and the anxiety, fears, etc., start to fade away. 

I hear it all the time, "thank you for listening." 

Once the issues are identified, we go into the mode of getting things done.  

Many times, there isn't anything to do other than LISTEN and/or reassure. 

Feb 08, 2026 11:35 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist 

Why is it that listening is so hard?

Feb 09, 2026 05:35 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 thank you for sharing an excellent educational blog hang in there. Sometimes in life a little hanger can make difference and changes.

Feb 08, 2026 02:40 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Always a pleasure to see you and read your comments, John Pusa 

Feb 09, 2026 05:36 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have learned not take anything for granted in real estate because things rarely go exactly as planned, haha.

Feb 09, 2026 04:14 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Brian England

You get a haha back for your comment!

 

Feb 09, 2026 05:38 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

"We can negotiate with a feather instead of a sledgehammer" - I love that! Listening and supporting are two amazing skills to have.

Feb 09, 2026 05:36 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kat Palmiotti

That feather is much more fun to handle than the heavy hammer!

Feb 09, 2026 05:40 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret in this business we need to be part sales and part Psychiatrist. 

Feb 09, 2026 03:50 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

George Souto

Those of us with medical backgrounds learned the skills through all our psychiatric and psychology courses.

Feb 09, 2026 05:44 PM