One of my listings has a unique feature. The previous owners transformed their large dining room by dividing it with a built-in storage cabinet, creating an additional office den. They also raised the floor in that space. This area can serve as a play area for kids or a casual eating space, effectively separating the adults from the children. It's a clever idea, but it may only be suitable if it fits your needs.    This setup also worked for the current owners. We listed the property, took photographs, and put it on the market. During the first showings, buyers were informed about how simple it would be to remove the wall divider, and we also had a contractor's quote for opening up the space.  The home received positive feedback about the location, style, number of bedrooms, kitchen, ba... 03/22/2025

 🎶Does anyone remember the song 'Searching"🎶Searching for the perfect house in a specific area can be exciting but challenging! Begin by examining a map that shows potential neighborhoods and zip codes. Consider choosing a location close to relatives, schools, or your workplace. You might want a commute that takes no more than 30 minutes. Let's start the search for a neighborhood that interests you!  When searching for a home, consider your specific needs. I am looking for three single-family homes for out-of-state buyers relocating with a large family. Two of these homes should be cozy starter options with three or more bedrooms, two bathrooms, and spacious backyards where kids and pets can play. The third home can be more upscale, ideally featuring four or five bedrooms, a large lot, ... 03/18/2025

List in March forget this madness:March Madness is the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament is divided into four regions (East, West, South, Midwest) with teams seeded from 1 to 16. Key rounds include the First Four, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the Championship Game.  This is March Madness.  Listing in March has its advantages. Warmer weather and longer days, more people are out looking for homes. And you won’t have to worry about the snow and tracking salt on your nice floors.  And keeping a comfortable temperature is easier and less expensive, especially our hot Baltimore summers when the AC is blasting.One of the biggest advantages of listing your home in March is the lower level of competition. ... 03/15/2025

This Sunday, the second Sunday in March, we will "Spring Forward" at 2 a.m. Make sure to set your clocks ahead one hour.  Remind your Sunday appointments about the time change.Remind your Sunday appointments about the time change. Adjusting all devices is pretty important for tomorrow's 12-noon radio show.   03/08/2025

Some people make it sound so easy: You can buy a neglected property cheap, fix it up, and sell it for a huge profit. That's what first-time rehabbers think.When flipping a house, it’s important to plan your timeline carefully. Depending on the amount of work needed, renovations can take anywhere from one to six months. Make sure to include time for any necessary building inspections.Hiring a general contractor is smart if you’re not skilled in renovations. Look for qualified tradespeople and check their licenses and references.  Make sure the quotes fit within your budget and timeline.Once the renovations are complete, you can sell your property. A real estate agent can assist you with pricing and marketing the home. There are common mistakes to watch out for during this process. One ma... 03/06/2025

It's Just a Phone...Pick It Up Real estate thrives on relationships, so talk with anyone interested in buying or selling. Find a way that is fun for you. You might be in the wrong field if it feels like a chore. An eager agent wanted to boost their income with a tight budget and sought ways to attract more buyers and sellers. Many suggestions came in, most of which needed more funding than was available. It was time to get to work—to pound the pavement.The best starting point is right in your hands: the phone. Open your address book and phone contacts and reach out to everyone you know—friends, family, neighbors, and former colleagues. Embrace the opportunity to have fun with conversations; any chat could lead to a new opportunity. In my early days, I was taught to cold call potential c... 03/01/2025

 Years ago, before I entered real estate, I dealt with a recurring issue with "Swarmers," or flying ants, which signal possible termite activity. After each swarm, we found countless wings. We hired pest control companies for treatments—drilling around and inside the house, lower level, and garage—but that had to be repeated.Continuing our search, we removed a wood deck covering a concrete porch and opened an exterior wall but found nothing. The breakthrough came when we replaced the windows. We found significant termite damage in the front window; it was so compromised that a pocketknife easily slid into the wood! In Maryland, there are two kinds of houses: those that have been treated for termites and those that will need treatment. Homeowners and agents need to recognize the signs of... 02/26/2025

Seeing A Home from Different Angles2322 Sugarcone Rd photos Sometimes, it’s important to have a different perspective. Looking at a house from various angles can reveal distinct features and qualities. For example, viewing a home from the street allows you to appreciate its curb appeal. You can explore the backyard in this image, showcasing the outdoor spaces and fence lines. Looking from above, you can appreciate the property's layout, including the roof structure, the shape of the yard, and how the house sits within its lot.  This view captures the home from the back, which is not usually seen.  Another angle to view a home is with floorplans.   To View Angles of your homeCall Margaret Rome 02/21/2025

Negotiation is like poker, where you try to figure out what others think and how to get what you want. Two ways to do this are bluffing and telling untrue things, but they’re different!Bluffing is like pretending you have a super strong hand in a card game. Imagine saying you’re ready to leave the game if you don’t get what you want, even though you don’t want to go. You act confident and strong to make the other person worry and give in. If you can bluff well, you might get what you want. But be careful! If someone calls your bluff, they might not trust you later.Now, telling untrue things is more serious. This is like lying or making up stuff to trick the other person. If you do this, you’re breaking their trust, hurting your chances of working together again. Once trust is broken, it... 02/17/2025

This stunning four-level split home off Stevenson Road inside the beltway, Exit 21, has officially been sold and settled! This beautiful property features 5000 square feet and four levels of luxurious living space, offering four spacious bedrooms and two and a half baths.The elegant living room, highlighted by a charming bay window, provided the perfect backdrop for gatherings with family and friends. The primary bedroom suite was a true retreat, complete with a soothing jetted tub, separate vanities, heated floors, a lavish walk-in shower, and a generously sized closet.  The kitchen, designed for both cooking and entertaining, boasted architectural ceilings, a grand granite island that seats six, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, and ample space for a full-sized dining table ... 02/13/2025

2322 Sugarcone Rd 21209This letter captures the love the owners feel as they say goodbye to their home. It highlights the deep connections we have with our living spaces, making it a perfect sentiment for Valentine's Day. ''We still remember the day we first visited 2322 Sugarcone. It was a hidden gem nested in the trees. We took a tour through the home appreciating the spacious entry and large rooms and knew that we could make it our home. It was a labor of love to get the home in the condition it is now. Peeling away the layers of time – removing overgrown trees and taking down outdated wallpaper, enlarged the windows and updates to numerous to list and we finally started to see the home we have grown to love. Each morning the home fills with sunlight as a great way to start the day. ... 02/12/2025

When you find yourself fortunate to have multiple offers on your home, the decision can feel overwhelming. Focusing solely on the highest price is easy, but several other factors could impact your overall experience and future plans.  You always have a choice and hope you chose the right one.Here are some key points to help you evaluate your offers:Price vs. Terms: While it's tempting to go with the highest offer, take a moment to consider the terms attached to each one. Look at the closing timeline—do you want a quick sale, or are you willing to wait a little longer for a better offer? Sometimes, a slightly lower price could come with a more favorable closing schedule that better suits your needs.Type of Financing: Different financing options can impact a deal's reliability. Offers bac... 02/08/2025

 Eighteen years ago, Paul and Susan bought this home, filling it with love and memories. They now hope the new owners will create their own joyful moments here and have shared a heartfelt letter.''We built 2007 Thistlewood Road in 2007, so it was easy to remember the year our family moved into our new home.  My husband and I, and our three daughters, ages 5, 5, and 3, dreamed of living in a colonial, in a brand-new beautiful neighborhood, as opposed to a rancher in an older neighborhood.  One of our twins, Lily is wheelchair bound.  Our dreams came true, through the kindness of our builders Beazer Homes.  Beazer was so helpful in accommodating the house’s floor plans to create an elevator shaft with a door that opened into Lily’s bedroom.  On the exciting July day our family moved in, t... 02/05/2025

This month's contest, hosted by Debe and Pat, asks us to write about why we love real estate. Anyone who knows anything about me knows the passion and love I've had for the past three and a half decades. I do think most of my posts describe my joy and love for the profession.  I said I would leave when real estate stops being fun. In all these years, I have never thought about leaving. It's fun, and I still love it.  It’s not just about buying and selling houses; it’s about the stories and emotions behind each buyer, seller, and home. Every house has history, and I find it incredible that each can hold many cherished memories.Whenever I walk into a potential new listing, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement. I think about the perfect buyer and how they will live and enjoy this ho... 02/01/2025

How Many Years Under Your Belt?Buying and selling properties involves a lot more than it might seem at first glance. While the process may appear straightforward, there are numerous factors to consider, including financing, inspections, negotiations, and legal documentation. It can get quite complex! Real estate is more than the three P's It's about providing valuable information and guidance throughout the entire process. But how do we keep ourselves updated and informed?  One of the best ways to stay informed is to learn from others in the industry—brokers, contractors, agents, lenders, attorneys, and mentors. There are also real estate classes, webinars, and a wealth of publications that can help. The more transactions you are involved with, the more you learn.What about buyers and s... 01/31/2025

Understanding Radon: Why Testing is for a Healthier HomeWhen it comes to maintaining a safe and healthy home, we monitor smoke detectors and perform regular pest control. But what about radon? This invisible, odorless gas can enter our homes and pose health risks, highlighting the importance of radon testing for every homeowner. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium in the soil and rocks. While it exists in the atmosphere in small amounts, it can accumulate in homes, particularly in basements and lower levels.Radon is linked to lung cancer, but the good news is that testing for radon is simple and easy to do.You might be wondering why radon isn’t more widely discussed. After all, everyone knows how to check for carbon monoxide and make s... 01/26/2025

Where is your number If I can’t easily find your phone number, neither can anyone else! It’s like hiding or maybe being a secret agent. Buyers and sellers might want to chat, but if they have to embark on a scavenger hunt for your info, they’ll probably text their cat instead!  Where is your numberSince the beginning of ActiveRain, I have interacted with an ActiveRainer daily. There are far too many to count or keep track of, but I’ve contacted members for various reasons. Sometimes, I found their post interesting, had a question, appreciated a comment, or wanted to learn more. Other times, I needed to refer a buyer or seller in their area. And sometimes, I just wanted to chat. I may feel a special connection based on something I experienced or observed that reminded me of that person. ... 01/23/2025

Welcome to 2322 Sugarcone Rd. 21209, located in the desirable Greengate community. You can walk to The Quarry, a lovely area with shopping, restaurants, professional offices, Walgreens, Whole Foods, and beautiful paved paths to enjoy water views.Click to read Seller's letter to their homeBeautiful landscaped and fenced rear. Green Gate is the perfect name for this community.  This colonial home features five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a screened porch off the eat-in kitchen. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The primary bedroom features a luxurious jetted tub. The living room includes a wood-burning fireplace.  The large dining room, separated by a storage divider, creates a lovely open den..  The first-floor office or family room features French doors ... 01/17/2025

Charm Meets Convenience 2007 Thistlewood Rd 21209 Welcome to an inviting Colonial that perfectly blends timeless charm with modern accessibility! Nestled in the desirable Parke at Mount Washington, this move-in-ready home is in the Summit Park Elementary School district. It is convenient to Whole Foods and Jupiter's a local ice cream shop.          With quick access to the Baltimore Beltway 695, The Quarry and I-83, convenience is at your fingertips! Step inside to experience a spacious four to five-bedroom layout designed for comfort and family togetherness. Elegant wood floors add a touch of sophistication. The main level features an open floor plan where the kitchen flows gracefully into the living room, dining room, family room, office, and sunlit screened porch, which is ideal for... 01/16/2025

January planning for 2025.I plan to continue my current activities: listing, selling, advertising, blogging, and hosting my weekly live radio show. After three and a half decades, I do not have a formal business plan, but I am excited to make real estate even more enjoyable.How? By learning more about AI.  I got the AI bug bite from our Tuesday Zooms.We started with an assignment: an image in a house's window. Then, we went down the rabbit hole to add, watch, and listen to those who have embraced this fun technology.Does anyone remember when we were scared 'spitless' to use anything other than our original photos?That was thanks to Lenn Harley, who had an attorney who made sure no one was using her map images. And if they were, they were in big trouble. Yep, we were scared spitless. Thi... 01/09/2025