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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome, Broker/Owner HomeRome Realty. Radio Host ALL ABOUT REAL ESTATE. Sundays 12 noon. Author: Real Estate The Rome Way. 410-530-2400
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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)
 Yes! It is possible to be in your new home by Thanksgiving.Are You Ready to Move? Let's Find the Right House!Are you thinking about moving before Thanksgiving? If so, there are a few important questions to consider. Moving can be complex, but proper planning and preparation can be a smooth and successful transition.First, are you completely ready for this big step? Ask yourself: Are your finances in place?  Do you have your earnest money ready? Do you have proof of funds if you plan to pay in cash? Is your family willing to assist you with the purchase? A clear understanding of your financial situation and a solid plan is crucial before diving into home-buying.If you require a lender, getting pre-qualified and being prepared to act swiftly when the right property comes along is importa...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Buyers and Sellers You Always Have a ChoiceBuyers and sellers should not feel obligated to use a particular real estate agent. Maybe it's a friend, a relative, or an acquaintance who has previously talked to you about RE. Perhaps it's an agent you have me through an open house, a party, or at work. Maybe it's a person who is friends with a relative, and again, you feel that obligation.You feel like you must use them and may feel trapped by a specific agent. This is not the time or place for guilt.How do I know? Buyers and sellers talk to me; they call and ask me for advice. In the past couple of weeks, two callers asked me about properties.The responses were disturbing when asked if they had a buyer's agent.They "sort of" have an agent and don't feel they are looking out for them. The a...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Choose your clients wisely. It's like that old saying goes, "You can choose your friends but not your relatives." In the same way, you can choose your buyers and your sellers. Don't put up with toxic clients because you need the sale. Working with people you like, and respect is essential for a successful and fulfilling transaction. Trust your instincts and be willing to walk away if the client isn't the right fit. Doing so will make room for exceptional buyers or sellers who will make the real estate journey more rewarding.As agents, we have the freedom to select clients who value and respect our expertise. Understand that not every potential client is a good match, and that's perfectly acceptable. If you find yourself dreading each interaction, it might be time to acknowledge that the...
Comments 16
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
A few months ago, I found what I thought was the right condo for a favorite buyer. We had been looking for six months. Our offer was accepted, but the inspection revealed latent defects that were not acceptable. There was no choice but to withdraw from that transaction. Finally, another one showed up, and we made an appointment for this one the minute it hit the market.  We immediately made an offer that could not be turned down. We asked the listing agent what the seller wanted, including the price, terms, closing dates, and whether a post-occupancy was needed. It was a desirable property we had waited for and was perfect.  The rapport with this agent was perfect, and she was a delight.  Her only goal was to make this deal work for everyone. A few concerns were quickly addressed, and a...
Comments 14
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 Choose who you want to work with. This decision is in your hands. It is not how many listings you take or how many buyers you are helping.Ask questions. Have they already spoken to agents, or have any relatives or others they may feel obligated to?  I know agents who have spent time with sellers, helping them price, stage, or telling them what they need to do before selling.  Those same agents get disappointed when the seller goes with another agent.  If you are spending time and giving this advice, you better have a signed agreement. Otherwise, that seller has no obligation to you.  I wonder how many have been in this situation.  Be careful, Realtors®. Some buyers and sellers interview agents for their knowledge and ideas.  Some, when they are already listed with another agent, will a...
Comments 28
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Some place you choose to live may not allow you to choose your front door color.Real Estate is local. Rules in one state, city, county, or neighborhood can differ. The same is true with the kinds of property in different areas. Rules are different and change, so make sure you have a knowledgeable Real Estate Broker to help with your transactions.  Understanding the Local Nature of Real Estate When it comes to real Estate, it's important to remember that "real estate is local." This means that rules and regulations can vary significantly from one state, city, county, or neighborhood to another. Even the types of properties available can differ greatly from one area to the next.  For example, zoning laws, property taxes, and regulations regarding rental properties can vary widely dependin...
Comments 15
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Throughout the week, I receive questions from the public. This past Sunday, I presented five questions on my noon radio show. Callers enthusiastically shared their solutions, making it an enjoyable show. We received responses for four out of the five questions.1- The neighbor next door is a heavy smoker, and it permeates my townhouse/condo. Some of the smoke is not from cigarettes. How to handle it? 2-If another person's animal has attacked your pet or you, do you know whether you have recourse against the pet owner's insurance? 3-My neighbor feeds the wildlife, and now I have raccoons in my yard, garbage cans, and even the community trash. I've taken photos but haven't received an answer from my HOA. 4-My neighbors have two mixed Pitt Bulls, and I fear walking my small dogs. Is there a...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
But I thought it was my house!Agents, make sure you know what you are selling. Are the names correct? Who is on the title? Have you checked the tax ID? Have you checked the deed? Is the estate in a trust? Is there one or more trustees? Do you have documentation of who legally can sign? Do you have their power of attorney or letter of administration? Has anything changed since someone created those documents? A death, a divorce, or someone added or removed? Are there siblings or children from previous relationships? What, if any, are they entitled to? A while ago, I was called to list a home—not one she wanted to sell! She and her late husband purchased their forever home twenty-five years ago. They were so proud that it was paid for without mortgage or debt. They wanted that security fo...
Comments 34
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
How many listings do you have, or how many listings are waiting for you? I keep a waiting list for potential clients. This approach has helped me work with clients willing to wait for my services. As a listing agent, I focus on quality over quantity, preferring to handle fewer transactions and provide better service.As a listing agent, I make all my appointments, and no one talks to my sellers but me. I aim for fewer transactions and a higher service. Walking away from a listing is always an option. I don't do business with people I don't like or respect.  Don't think of it as turning down a listing; think of it as making room for a better listing.I'm working on my waiting list, so watch for new listings in the next few weeks and months. It's ok to walk away from a potential listing if ...
Comments 17
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Marcel Breuer: Midcentury Modern Home and Chairs Marcel Breuer designed midcentury modern homes and created iconic furniture like the Wassily and Breuer chairs. His designs are known for being simple, functional, and timeless symbols of modernist furniture.  Breuer's use of flagstone floors adds a natural and rustic element to the sleek and modern aesthetic of the home. This contrast of materials creates a visually striking and harmonious effect, adding depth and character to the interior space.   Breuer incorporated expansive glass elements into the home to seamlessly integrate the indoor and outdoor spaces while offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The glass's transparency blurs the boundary between the interior and exterior, allowing natural light to flood the li...
Comments 14
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 The first time I saw a suitcase full of cash at a settlement table was like something out of a movie. The buyer strutted in, plopped it down, and opened it up like they were unveiling a priceless artifact. And poof! Just like that, the cash vanished quicker than you can say "abracadabra." After a couple of hours, the settlement went off without a hitch. Keys were exchanged, papers were signed, and the house was sold. Fast forward a few years, and I get a call from the IRS and the FBI. I was about to tell them I was too busy for a meeting, but my husband gave me a reality check with a resounding "Not The Right Answer!" So, we ended up meeting the IRS and the FBI, and I had my husband by my side to keep me in check. I spread out all my hand-written records, copies of the contract, and ev...
Comments 27
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Feeling overwhelmed by the task of moving? You don't have to do everything on your own. When preparing to sell your home, let me assist you in evaluating indoor and outdoor tasks. Deciding whether to repair, remove, or replace items and what to keep, give away, or dispose of can be stressful.BeforeYour home can be show-ready within a few weeks. I can expedite the process when you are moving and need to get your house ready for the market. Do you need a complete move-out and deep clean? No problem. The bonus: Dealing with just one person simplifies the process.  And if you need it done, Lickety Split, I can help make that happen.Let me show you how to complete everything in weeks instead of years.  AFTERThe house above was done within ten days.When you need help selling your homeCall Mar...
Comments 14
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 Going Down The Rabbit Hole and AI Many people have heard the expression "Going Down The Rabbit Hole" (GDTRH), but what does it mean, and how does it relate to real estate? It means exploring a new technology while incorporating it into my blogging.    It's like killing two birds with one stone ( BTW, who wants dead birds). Sure, I could take some AI courses, but blogging is already on my schedule.   Going Down The Rabbit Hole.  Embrace change and have some fun. Being open and learning a new skill adds to Real Estate The Rome Way. 1-Sign up for our Tuesday Zoom 2-Learn a new skill 3-Share it in your next post    But will this help someone Buy or Sell a Home with Margaret Rome  
Comments 24
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
To purchase a home with a mortgage, you'll need a  1-strong credit score, 2- steady income, and 3- substantial down payment.One suggestion for potential buyers is to start a "House Account," which acts as a form of forced savings and allows you to track progress toward your goal. To buy a homeCall Margaret Rome 
Comments 9
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 Real estate professionals, especially realtors, have been facing a lot of stress lately. We're no strangers to pressure, but we've become masters of problem-solving. Our stress comes from navigating challenging transactions and the highs and lows of buying and selling. Moving ranks up there with major life events like death, divorce, retirement, and illness. Despite the immense stress, we real estate professionals have proven incredibly resilient. We've weathered the storm of COVID-19, tackled a wild seller's market with multiple offers, and empathized with our stressed-out buyers. We've submitted countless offers, scoured every available property, and experienced the pressure of multiple bidding situations. We've seen interest rates double and triple.  Lately, we have been bombarded w...
Comments 18
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
A post today real estate niche- selling hoarder homes made me remember this transaction from years ago, I took a listing that could have been described as an ''indoor outhouse'' including stray animals, and stray people.A friend asked me for a favor. They wanted me to sell the house of one of their professional colleagues. This property was extremely packed and cluttered, to the point where you couldn't even walk through some of the rooms. This was a unique challenge for me.ANDIt was apparent that...                  How did I help them sell this hoarder's house?  I asked them to paint the dining room which was packed floor to ceiling, and the table piled three feet high with stuff. I just assumed they would empty the room. But I was wrong. They moved all the stuff one foot from the wal...
Comments 13
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
                            Thanks to Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD, and his expertise, we are learning about AI. The best part is the enjoyment that comes with "the ah-ha moments'' when we "get that" something new. We are using various programs, and numerous trials and errors with prompts are used to create these AI assignments. Our assignment: create images with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)###For the following four images, the prompts are below each photo. Perfect? Not by a long shot. However, with each attempt, I am exploring and having fun with this technology, and...Sometimes, it even listens to me! I made a few more attempts to get a house and ADU on a cattle farm with mountains. This one was done in the Craiyon program, which allows you to choose how many images to create. I took ...
Comments 28
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
This is  a reminder to pay close attention to the dates in your real estate offers. Using a calendar can help you keep track of the number of days and specific dates. Discussing these dates with your buyer well in advance is a good idea. Everyone involved, including buyers, sellers, and agents, might have prior commitments or be unavailable on specific dates. Remember to consider any bank holidays that might affect the transaction.  When dealing with real estate contracts, it's important to be precise with your dates. Make sure that all parties, including the lender, can work within the specified time frames. It's also good to check with your chosen title attorney to ensure their schedule aligns with your closing date. Avoid setting unrealistically short closing periods to get the offer...
Comments 12
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 Last Sunday, I had the privilege of having a favorite client and friend, Bob, on my radio show. You can listen here:July 28 All About Real Estate RecordingPlease feel free to skip the commercials except for the one promoting ActiveRain, which starts at 14:35 minutes. We discussed the four properties we sold and the five properties we bought since 2015. The fifth settled this past Wednesday. It is an elegant Towson highrise with a pool.  One more to go. We just listed this one at Eleven Slade and are looking for the right buyer.Three Bedroom Penthouse With Golf Course Views.I have the best buyers and sellers who turn into friends!Can you see why I love what I do?Thinking of buying and selling a homeCall Margaret Rome.   
Comments 10
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
 My recent blog,   How to leave the house when moving out,   reminded me of this seller who recently sold her house. She shared this list and how she left her home—not because it was in the contract, but because she felt it was right.   - I have left a marked container with all the brochures, instructions, warranties, and receipts. - I have also left a list of contractors, repair dates, lawn care providers, trash and recycling collection days, a helpful neighbor's name and number, and babysitters. - There is a list of local restaurants that deliver, cleaners, locksmiths, vets, and a "who to call" list. - All keys are marked, and the security and garage codes are provided. - I have left the internet on for a week, along with my password. Setting up a new service can be frustrating, so I ...
Comments 13
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
How You Leave The House When Moving Out I want to remind everyone about the importance of acknowledging the effort and stress that sellers go through when preparing their house for the final walk-through. Take the time to compliment the seller on how they leave the house. Many sellers go the extra mile by hiring a cleaning service for this last phase, and it's important to show gratitude for their hard work.  I strongly believe that the condition of a house after settlement says a lot about the seller. ( Our residential contract of sale requires the property to be delivered in a "broom clean" condition. (It would be nice to think everyone would leave the property in an acceptable condition. ) Recently, I had a wonderful experience with a buyer who was thrilled to find their new home in ...
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