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Pikesville, MD Real Estate News

By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
For February’s ActiveRain contest, instead of choosing just one member to highlight, I’m choosing a small but mighty core group, the people who quietly and faithfully keep our Tuesday Zooms alive week after week. At the center is Debe Maxwell, CRS , who hosts, manages the tech, keeps us on schedule, lines up speakers, and somehow maintains order when it can feel a little like herding a room full of very smart, opinionated cats. Alongside Debe are Eileen Burns 954.483.3912  Carol Williams , Kat Palmiotti, and George Souto, who announces weekly highlights and presenters, plus  Kathy Streib, who reminds us in her column that Tuesday is coming (as if we could forget). But truly, there are many more who deserve mention, presenters, moderators, idea generators, topic creators, and consistent ...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
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 l...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
February ActiveRain challenge. Choosing just one member to highlight is nearly impossible, given how many extraordinary people are in this community. I decided to keep it simple and genuine and recognize the last ActiveRain member I interacted with, and that is Andrea Bedard. Andrea has been filming my properties, and the way she captures them feels almost like a fairy tale, bringing them to life and infusing them with magic through her video, music, composition, and storytelling.Andrea's view of my stone cottageOne of her videos went viral, which was exciting for both of us, and as a direct result, my showings jumped to almost -one a day for an entire week-yes, this was the house with no kitchen. What makes this even more special is that Andrea is so appreciative, thanking me for allow...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 3123 Betlou James 21207...officially closed - and the timing couldn’t have been better. We were fortunate to close before the snow arrived and even luckier to have negotiated a two-week rent-back, so no one had to move in the winter weather. That alone made the day feel like a win from the start and allowed everyone to focus on what really mattered - a successful closing and a new chapter beginning.This home belonged to one of my very special sellers, someone who loved this house deeply for many years. That always raises the stakes, because finding the right buyer matters just as much as selling it. And we did. We found the perfect buyers - first-time homeowners who truly appreciated the home and were excited to begin their journey there.It wasn’t an easy wait. There were many showings...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
The Cold Attic, the Warm House, and the Roof With No SnowYesterday, while showing my magical little cottage, I emphasized how well-insulated the house was. The attic windows were open despite the single-digit temperatures outside, yet the main floor remained toasty warm.When we opened the door to the attic, it was like walking outside, freezing. The attic was just as cold. This wasn’t a mistake; it was intentional. An uninsulated attic needs to breathe, and proper ventilation prevents moisture buildup, which protects the structure in the long term.Then we walked back downstairs.Warm. Cozy. Comfortable.That dramatic contrast told the real story: this house is exceptionally well insulated where it matters. The cold stays up, the warmth stays down. That doesn’t happen by accident, it happe...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 The Buck Stops Here -and Why That’s a Good ThingOne of the things I value most in real estate is professionalism, especially when we’re working together on contracts. When an addendum is missing, the wrong form is used, or something simply doesn’t say what it’s supposed to say, I believe it’s our responsibility as agents to catch it before it reaches our clients.When I review a contract from another agent (or they review one from me), my intention is never to criticize. It’s a collaboration. It’s about making sure the paperwork reflects exactly what we mean it to say clearly, accurately, and professionally or both the buyer and the seller.So when I gently say, “I think this might not be the right form,” or “It looks like this section was left blank,” I’m always surprised when the respo...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Tech Tip: You Can’t Break AnythingHere’s something I just discovered, and it’s huge. No matter what I click, I can’t break anything. The computer might freeze, something annoying might happen, or a window might appear that I don’t understand yet, but nothing actually breaks. And if I get stuck, all I have to do is describe what I see and help is right there.It reminds me of the advice I’ve always given people who are afraid of public speaking. You can’t break anything. You won’t get fired. And the truth is, no one is listening as closely as you think they are. So, stand tall, breathe, and just talk.When I spoke publicly, I had my kick-ass shoes on - and as long as I had them on, I was golden.They gave me confidence. Then life happened. I had an ankle reconstruction from a sports injury,...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
WIN: What’s Important Now (and How I Finally Made It Easy)About 30 years ago, I stood on a stage at an MSA event and shared a simple idea I had coined called WIN -What’s Important Now. It was meant to help people stay focused when everything around them was demanding attention.Funny thing -it still works.What’s different today is how I use WIN.For years, my system was paper. Folded sheets, scribbled notes, names, and numbers were written wherever there was space. Some of those notes were filed as listings or sales and were recorded correctly. Most didn’t. They became piles… and stress.Now everything lives in one place - a master, rolling to-do list.When an interruption happens, it’s no longer a derailment. A call comes in. A contract needs to be written. A CD is requested for a closing ...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 There Is No Bad Weather-Just WeatherAny temperature close to my age is too hot for me. Rain is simply liquid sunshine. And the person who invented air conditioning deserves unlimited credit and lifelong praise. The weather has personality. It changes, it surprises us, and sometimes it refuses to cooperate, but it’s never personal.In the winter, My Lee used to say he was moving to Florida. My answer never changed: “You’re going to miss me, Babe.” Weather, like life, is only part of the story. It’s how you live with it that matters.That’s exactly how I feel about real estate. When someone asks, “How’s the market?” the answer is never a simple one. Is it a buyer’s market? A seller’s market? Hot? Cold? The truth is, just as the weather does, it depends on where you are standing.Home sales ...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Today was one of those days when good judgment matters more than sticking to a schedule.  I really was prepared, dressed, boots, etc., but made the call at the last minute.Real estate has taught me that knowing when to pause is just as important as knowing when to move forward. Homes, deals, and plans can always be adjusted, but safety comes first. While today’s show may be delayed, I’m never out of reach.If you have a real estate question, need advice about your home, or simply want to talk through a situation, I’m always just a call or text away at 410-530-2400. Stay warm, stay safe, and remember, smart decisions are always the right ones.
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
When Your Passion Learns With YouI’ve always said one thing about my work:If I didn’t like what I was doing, I would quit.That’s how I know real estate was never “work” for me.It’s a passion. A craft. Something I still love after decades of contracts, inspections, negotiations, and emotional moments that matter deeply to people’s lives.And here’s the revelation I had this week.I realized I’ve found a way to combine what I love most, making things happen in real estate, with something that feels like having a mentor, coach, and trusted friend sitting beside me every time I start to type.Whether it’s an email, a contract clause, an inspection response, or a follow-up note, I’m no longer starting from scratch. I’m orchestrating. Refining. Improving. And enjoying the process.But here’s the ...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
I never sought out 1-2-3-4-5-6; it found me. Early this morning, just before 4:56 AM, I glanced at the clock, grabbed my phone, and snapped a picture.The date, the time, the numbers, all lining up perfectly. One of those quiet little moments that makes you pause and smile before the day even starts. Numbers and dates... I’ve written about them before, but this one felt different. It felt like a gentle nudge, a reminder that sometimes things really do fall into place when you least expect them.And maybe that’s why I love real estate so much. Behind every address and every contract are moments just like this when timing, preparation, and a little bit of patience suddenly align. Homes don’t sell just because of numbers, but when the right pieces come together, it can feel almost magical, n...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
A Calmer Desk, A Calmer MindThis isn’t about critiquing how anyone works; it’s about those ready for a change. Many busy, productive people often have cluttered desks, and that’s okay. For me, finding a practical approach made all the difference.I began by making space, not by clearing my desk. I invested in a heavy-duty shredder that actually worked, which helped me purge old files efficiently. I realized my storage was full of unnecessary items. And being on wheels under my desk... a piece of paper ...file it or shred it. Again, stupid simple. Once I created room, I focused on my desk. Now, I work with just one file at a time, no stacks or loose papers. I switched from a paper notebook to digital folders. Every call and task is recorded on my computer, making organization much easier....
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Nothing Is Ever Late - It’s Just Not Today YetI’ve discovered something that has changed how I look at my to-do list.I created an AI rolling list. That means nothing is ever “late.” It’s just… not today yet. And that to-do list is turning into a full-blown CRM!Some days are full of phone calls, Zooms, creativity, ideas, conversations, and learning new things. Other days are quieter. Both are productive, just in different ways.My new system lets me check things off when I do them, add notes while I’m working, and gently roll unfinished items to tomorrow, without guilt.Because life isn’t a race, it’s a rhythm.And here’s the funny part: once I stopped stressing about what I didn’t finish, I started finishing more. One of the best parts is that there is no need for piles of papers and notes...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Tech Tip of the Week: Finding Your Own Old Stuff (Without Losing Your Mind)If you’ve been blogging for years like I have, you know you wrote about that one thing… you just can’t remember where. The secret? Tags. Think of them like labels on file folders. Click a tag, and voilà, every post with that label shows up. I even made a special one called TLH for stories about my late husband, Lee. Now I can go with one click, and all those memories are right there. No scrolling. No searching. No “I know I wrote this somewhere.” If you’re not using tags, start now, because your future self will thank you.
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
One Sip at a TimeAI felt out of my league at first. It was like trying to drink from a fire hose with my mouth wide open. Way too much, way too fast, and completely overwhelming.When we first started learning about AI, Carol Williams and I would share ideas, and we were both learning how to create images for our blogs. We attended the AI Zooms; the first assignment was to make a simple image. We experimented with Night Cafe, which required more specific prompts; however, the hands in the images often had too many fingers. We were exploring. We had fun creating and sharing... we even got Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, interested, who BTW, was not too keen on AI at first. It was new, fun, creative, and exciting!We found that we learned in a different way: how to ask our own...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Aluminum Wiring: Safety First-Not Panic Last week on my radio show, a caller asked: ''Is aluminum wiring in a home safe?''The short answer is it can be, but it deserves a safety conversation.Aluminum wiring was commonly installed in homes built in the late 1960s and early 1970s when copper prices were high. At the time, it was code-approved and widely used. Finding aluminum wiring doesn’t mean anyone did anything wrong.The concern usually isn’t the wire itself; it’s the connections. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, and over time, that movement can loosen connections at outlets and switches. If those connections aren’t properly addressed, they can overheat.Here’s the good news: this is manageable. Many homeowners live safely in homes with aluminum wiring. A licensed elect...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Huge congratulations to my friend Andrea, who officially passed her broker’s exam today. I could not be prouder of her. I have been gently, persistently, lovingly hounding her to go for it, and today she did. She called me from the testing center with the news, and I felt so honored to be her first call before she even called her mom.That moment alone tells me how meaningful this milestone is. Becoming a broker is no small accomplishment. It takes courage, commitment, and confidence. Andrea, you earned every bit of this, and I am beyond excited for you and what this next chapter holds.So proud. So happy. So grateful to share this moment with you.Andrea Bedard 
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Is That a Radon Pipe?When a buyer said this was a radon pipe, everyone nodded in agreement. I didn’t want to embarrass anyone by correcting them on the spot, but I also knew it wasn’t radon. So, I took this photo.  So, what is it?It’s a gas pressure regulator dome. Its job is to control the pressure of natural gas before it enters the home. Not exciting. Not pretty. But very important. I wrote this to explain what it really is, to share accurate information, and to highlight the valuable learning opportunities it offers. Homes are full of things that look mysterious until someone explains them.And now we all know, definitely not radon. And That's...    
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Why I’m Doing a Weekly Tech TipI have learned a lot lately, and one of the biggest lessons is that I can keep asking questions until I get it right. That is how learning works. I blog daily, and now I am adding a Weekly Tech Tip because I am learning to use technology and want to share what I am discovering along the way. Not the complicated stuff, but the simple, practical things that make life and work easier.I get to learn, I get to teach, and I get to share what I am learning with clients, other real estate professionals, and my radio listeners. That feels like a win-win to me. This little weekly habit has turned into a life-changer: more curiosity, more confidence, and a lot more fun. And the best part is that we are all learning together. I will be using this image each week.Stay ...
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