Everyone is under stress right before closing. So many details to take care of in addition to emptying the house and  having it "broom clean."  Take time to compliment the seller for the way they leave the house for the final walk-through. Many sellers vacate their homes and hire a cleaning service for this last phase.   Sellers are exhausted, and a simple thank you or at least acknowledging the effort put forth to get the house in condition to turn it over to the new buyers is the least you can do. If the buyers don't express their gratitude, please agents on both sides should complement the seller. I do feel that the way the house is left shows the character of the seller. Also, the way the buyer receives the home shows their personality.Thinking about selling your home Call Margaret ... 11/30/2022

 A definition of contingency is a  future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. Essentially, a contingency is a condition that must be met before an agreement can move forward. There are many types of contingencies, and here is a list of some:  Financing Appraisal Inspection Home Sale Well/Septic Termite Radon Lead-Based Paint Document Review Finding a home And these contingencies have to be met to complete the transaction.Can you name more RE contingencies? 11/27/2022

Why DO people move? Here's a list of a few reasons that I can think of that make folks want or need to move. How many more can you add to the list? I just used the fourth letter of the alphabet. DesireDiamondsDeathDivorce Diapers and DeliveryDecor changeDebtDefaultDownsizingDisasterDeclining HealthDisabilityDistance Degrees & DiplomasDistricts Declining healthDesire to please anotherDemographics Driving When thinking about buying or selling a homeCall Margaret Rome. 11/26/2022

This is a busy travel week for so many. If you are leaving your home for more than a day, you might want to ensure safety by  considering the following:-Have someone check on your house daily.-Arrange to have mail and packages taken in.-Place timers on your lighting.-Do not post your travel plans on social media.-Have a professional security system.-Turn your water off. Are you traveling this week? Enjoy and be safe.Happy, Healthy, and Safe Thanksgiving.Thinking about selling your homeCall Margaret Rome  11/21/2022

 Thankful for the Sunday before Thanksgiving.So much to be grateful for, especially in Real Estate. So thankful for buyers and sellers, those who ask me questions, those who have let me talk them out of selling their home, those who have said, "heard you on the radio," or ''my spouse listens every week.''  I'm thankful for all those who call in during the show and those that text me during the show for support or to let me know when I make a mistake. Thankful for those who call in during the week. I'm grateful to those who have bought or sold a home with me. Thankful for how many of you have become friends over the years. Thankful that other listeners are interested and learn from your calls, especially when I have talked about spam calls, mail scams, and emails and how real they sound.... 11/20/2022

Someone asked if I continue to advertise at this time of the year. My answer is affirmative.  Each week I run this type of marketing piece.  It has my listings, recent sales, too-late under contract, and a list of homes I have ready buyers. The consistency of this type of in-your-face marketing keeps my pipeline full all year long.Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome 11/15/2022

Routine maintenance is critical when living in a home that is six decades old. I had some plumbing work done this week: including some new faucets, and replaced a leaking instant hot dispenser. While my trusted master plumber was here, he was appalled by the location of the water shutoff (hard to get to and corroded) and the fact that it took strength to shut it off.He suggested we replace it in case of a water emergency;  That way, I would have easy access and ease of cutting it off. I, of course, said to do it now, even though it would take several hours because of the location.He finished cutting an access panel, and the new valve was so smooth it could be turned off or on with one little finger. Ah, peace of mind.  Before and After Fast forward just one day, I came home to water in ... 11/13/2022

Here is a way to give information to more people. When asked a question like'Should I pay my mortgage before the closing,' I answer the question and then put it into the blog platform and make it part of my ad by using it with the graphic below. Have a question for me? Ask away. Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome 11/08/2022

 5731 Old Court RdBaltimore, Maryland 21244MLS# MDBC2050384Here is a big little house that is ready and waiting for your TLC. Charming  Baltimore County 75-year-old single-family home sitting on a .04 acre lot backing to farmland.  The main level has an eat-in kitchen with gas cooking, a dining room,  a large living room,  and back and side porches. There is a full basement and a wood-burning stove; this home is loaded with charm and waiting for the right buyer. And there is a separate two-car garage. Are you ready to make this big little house beautiful again? Minutes to Northwest Hospital.Click To See More Pictures 11/05/2022

  Turn Your s Back One Hour... It's Day Light Saving Time                                            We all remember the phrase "Spring forward, Fall back," which reminds us how Daylight Saving Time affects all our time-telling devices, including computers, clocks, Smart Phones, microwaves, car clocks, and numerous watches and timepieces we may own. Most of our gadgets update automatically.But...there are still a few devices that need our help manually.   The first Sunday morning in November, at 2 a.m, is when we "fall back." It might be easier to change them before you go to bed Saturday tonight.Please don't forget to set your clocks back one hour and return to Standard Time. Remember to remind your  Sunday morning appointments of the time change.Or do you show up and assume they will ... 11/04/2022

I am thankful for my print advertising and how sellers find me.There is a lot of information loaded in this one advertisement. My current properties are listed; there's a 'Too Late' and a 'Sold,' and there are homes that I need for buyers. There's still room for my radio show, logo, website info, and phone numbers. There is a subtle mention of 'carving' out time, hoping to hint at Halloween and Thanksgiving... using the fall colors for this time of the year. How much can you get into an ad?It's all about advertising and I am thankful.Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome 11/02/2022

Look at this almost 3000' all-brick rancher, a contemporary gem with one entire floor of gracious living…one level with no steps.Click To See The Slideshow Photos8205 Tama CtStevenson 21208MLS #MDBC2011878Check out this  Stevenson move-in-ready rancher with five bedrooms, two-and-a-half luxury baths, an in-ground fenced pool, and a quiet cul-de-sac location.   The focal point is the living room's beautiful curved stone wood-burning fireplace. And gleaming wood floors shows the quality of this recent renovation. The 27' kitchen is a gathering place for living and entertaining.Custom design includes clean lines with lots of granite, ceramic tile, and an abundant amount of custom wood cabinets, and it is ideal for the gourmet cook. Enjoy easy living with the stainless three-door refrigerat... 10/31/2022

This Autumn is a gorgeous season, with the trees as pretty as ever. Blazes of color are all around, and I want to take photos of them, but I usually notice them more when driving. So I stick to pictures around my house.Eye candy everywhere. So lucky to live in a mid-Atlantic state with all four seasons.    But here is the real reason that Autumn is called FALL. The leaves are falling everywhere. Prettier on the tree than on the porch, but still a season of beauty. I hope you are also enjoying this gorgeous weather.Selling your homeCall Margaret Rome  10/29/2022

  One Diamond Crest Court Baltimore, County 21209MLS MDBC2024820 A beautiful home in The Gables at Summit Chase.Click To See More Photos  One Diamond Crest Ct is a five-bedroom, two-story home with three finished levels, a two-car garage, and a fabulous screened porch off the gourmet kitchen. This one shows pride of ownership and has a TOO LATE sign.We found the lucky buyers. We found the lucky buyers.Click To See More PhotosLocated at 1 Diamond Crest Ct 21209Directions:Greenspring Ave, South of Beltway Exit 22 to Left At Green Summit to the corner of Diamond Crest.For more information on any homeCall Margaret Rome  10/28/2022

     One Diamond Crest Court  Baltimore, County 21209 MLS MDBC2024820   Open House Thursday 6-7 October 27th This rare find is a beautiful home in The Gables at Summit Chase. Click To See More Photos     Open house for this five-bedroom, two-story home with three finished levels, a two-car garage, and a fabulous screened porch off the gourmet kitchen. This one shows pride of ownership.   Click To See More Photos   Then Call, text, or email for an appointment or visit us at the open house! Located at 1 Diamond Crest Ct 21209 Directions: Greenspring Ave, South of Beltway Exit 22 to Left At Green Summit to the corner of Diamond Crest. For more information on this home Call Margaret Rome   10/26/2022

While speaking with someone whose friend was trying to get her to move even though she did not want to. I said absolutely, "Don't do anything you don't want to. But DO everything that you want to." I thought about how this simplifies my business and my life:I don't want to work with unpleasant clients or others…so I don't. Life is too short for that kind of aggravation.I don't want to drive buyers all over town looking at houses…so I don't. I work almost exclusively with sellers or meet the buyers at the property. I don't want ever to regret choosing real estate. Where else can you work with interesting people, help them reach an important life goal, and be part of a national group of professionals, yes ActiveRain, who become friends? But:I DO want to ensure that my clients get the best... 10/25/2022

Sharing a note of appreciation from earlier in the year. Note: Not all transactions are as smooth as silk. This letter proves the point. 'March 13, 2022In July 2021, my house was officially listed for sale. I chose a company based on ads I had heard, not from anyone who had used these realtors (my first mistake). Nevertheless, I was hopeful for a fast sale with the hot real estate market. After a while, with lackluster effort on the agent's part and no hint of a deal, I decided to switch agents.  A friend recommended Margaret Rome. She came highly recommended, and I was hopeful again. The first time I met Margaret, we talked for quite a while. I immediately connected with her and felt I could trust her to represent my best interests. Almost immediately, there was an interested buyer (wh... 10/24/2022

Several times this week, I have been asked if it is a good idea to take the house off the market or if this is the time to sell. It's not Spring but guess what? Homes sell every day of every month.The most asked question is:  should we take our house off the market in November and December? Should we wait til after the New Year to sell? Listings at this time of the year make sense for a few reasons...less competition, and buyers, at this time, are more serious. People move during the holidays when schools and universities are on break. There are still more buyers than homes for sale. Some want or need to move before the end of the year.Your house may not sell at this time of the year, but it definitely won't sell if you take it off the market.Go ahead and plan New Year's in a new home. ... 10/23/2022

                       The theme of this year's Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors® is The Key To Moving Forward Together. The event at Martin's West was a full day of classes, a trade show, camaraderie, and good food. I spent the day with my friend Lorraine Trager and together, we sat thru an excellent informative jam-packed 3-hour session on legal updates with Tom Drechsler, Esq., presenting many relevant topics with enthusiasm and humor. We did another three hours of Ethics class in the afternoon with Linda Harned. Before, in between, and after the classes, we socialized, visited the various vendors, and enjoyed the food at Martin's West.                                Selling your homeCall Margaret Rome 10/22/2022

This week we had an outstanding presentation by, Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD,  titled 'Something old is new again." The Zoom was about going back to marketing yourself and the importance of referrals. He talked about self-assessment; yes, I already took the survey. Regarding referrals, I posted in the Q&A that I needed a listing agent in California, along with the county and zip code. I also asked about a Florida referral.Before evening, I had placed two referrals, one in California and one in Florida. All because of the beautiful ActiveRain connections.If you need to refer or be referred, you are at the right place! Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome 10/19/2022