Change Of AddressOne of the things to do when selling your home is to go to the post office and change your address. It is a free service. You can also do it online for a modest sum of $1.10.  But be careful; there are some bogus sites set up that look very official, and you might think you are on the right one. These sites are charging up to forty dollars. Please be warned not to fall for these.'Note: Warning: There are third-party websites that will charge you fees of $40.00 or more to submit your Change of Address. The Postal Service is not affiliated with the businesses that own these sites and, unfortunately, will not be able to assist you, or offer any refunds for activity on ANY non-USPS site. If something goes wrong while filing a COA on a non-USPS site, you will need to contact... 04/27/2022

My fortune cookie read:"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot." Those cookie people may be following me around. Recently was told ''you have to'' accept this offer because this property will never sell or it is too unique or priced too high. It went under contract the next day.One agent commented on a public site saying a home was overpriced. These comments have come from buyers and other agents. Some have even gone so far as to send letters to the sellers trying to negotiate without their agent. Thank goodness I have such a good relationship with my sellers that they share this information and always inform me of any communication.  And I have been told over the years that the following will not work  in Real Estate: You can't drive a two-door car and be a s... 04/25/2022

 WarningThis  post has nothing to do with Real EstateAhh, when I stepped outside my front door, there was a delightfully lovely fragrance. It was coming from this giant bush.I have no idea what it is, but I took a pair of clippers, snipped a bunch, and put them in one of my ceramic pieces.      And now that lovely scent is being enjoyed in front of me on my desk. Does anyone know what this plant is? Maybe, Roy Kelley I told you this had nothing to do with Real Estate.But if you are thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome   04/22/2022

 This month, the ActiveRain challenge is to say in 350 words what this platform means to us. To most serious bloggers, we could fill a book. My blogging began in 2006, posting most days, logging in every day, and speaking with an AR member daily. I thought this challenge would be so easy. I could go back and pick out a bunch of blogs and take the collages from them. But many of the links no longer work, so I thought I would give you a list of what AR has meant and then a few posts to read.    Thankful for ActiveRain and the positive effects on my career and my life. Below are just a few:ActiveRain members got me through the loss of my Lee in 2014.Many buyers and sellers have found me through this platform.Through blogging, I receive instant gratification daily.Blogging helped me write m... 04/19/2022

Deciding to move Working with classic clients and the mature population, the decision to sell is huge, and it needs to happen in stages. First, the question, Where will the seller go?There are choices to consider: assisted living, a retirement community, a move closer to children, a nearby condo, or even into the children's home. I recently met with a friend of one of my favorite sellers about a move.  We were just there to chat and get to know each other...no paperwork at this time. Her children are all in different states, and one daughter wants Mom nearby. How does one decide whether to stay in Baltimore or move to a city closer to the children? I took out a piece of paper and wrote Baltimore and NJ at the top.  Then a plus sign and minus sign under both.And we started a conversation... 04/18/2022

I love when the public asks for my opinion, and I have no problem giving it. These are homeowners with a lovely property, a location, and the size they want for now. They use their living room as a workout room and ask the above question. Should we put a gym in our house? I had a few questions in return. How long are you planning to stay in this house? How much use would this room get?  Where would this gym be located? In today's market, a home gym is a real bonus. Many gyms have closed, or people are not returning.The owners plan to take a screened porch, enclose it, and put it in a split system (heat and AC) to be usable all year. It is interesting because of the two sellers; one wants to move and find a home on the water. The other is pretty laid back and still enjoys the house. It i... 04/17/2022

 Good wishes to you, your family, and friends for a Happy Passover  Enjoy the Passover holiday, and as you celebrate with family and friends, good wishes for a peaceful and meaningful week.Thinking of a larger home for next year, thinking of right-sizing, thinking you need more space, thinking about selling your homeCall Margaret Rome  04/14/2022

Three ways to get your offers noticed and accepted. Most of the time, I am the listing agent, but when working with a buyer, I treat their offers as though they were competing against others. After all, why not put the best offer forward to help ensure your buyer does not lose their "perfect" home.  OneFinancial qualification is a must. Not just a "baloney" letter from an unknown lender... stating: 'To whom it may concern...based on the information given, you are approved to buy a house for x amount providing whatever you told me does not change.'' You do recognize these "pre-approval " letters are not binding. Make sure your lender "knows" the client and writes a letter specifically for this buyer and this property. Give the seller and the listing agent assurance that this buyer can mo... 04/11/2022

 8525 Mountainholly Dr.Baltimore CountyPikesville 21208Under Contract and has a TOO LATE sign.Single-family home is a condo in this 55 plus gated community. We have found the perfect buyers who love this home! And that means a TOO LATE sign. This home has it all! The first floor includes the owner's suite, a second bedroom and bath, library, sunroom, gazebo, huge deck, laundry, granite kitchen, gas fireplace, and a two-car garage. Check out the extensive decking with a private screened gazebo. There are four full baths, and the loft is a perfect guest suite. And then WOW, there is the lower level that looks like a Vegas Casino with a pool table, poker room, fabulous media room, kitchen, bedroom, wine room, cedar closet, full bath, walkout bluestone patio, and wooded views.Click to CHECK... 04/10/2022

If you like the house, let it be known. In today's market, it is not the time to tell the Listing Agent all the wrong things, like, you wanted a finished basement,  thinking you can negotiate a better deal. There are others interested in that home, and if you use your old 'negotiating skills,' you have a good chance of losing it for your buyer. I try to stay in touch and follow up with each person/agent who has seen one of my listings. If you, the buyer's agent, told me five days ago that your clients were interested and you have not followed up and then presented a great offer...it may be too late. Another contract offer was presented and ratified with everything the seller needed. Even if your bid is for more money, it is still too late.And this happened recently when a lovely agent s... 04/04/2022

  Open House 4-3-2022 Sunday 2-3   This  3000’  all brick and stone rancher is a contemporary gem with one entire floor of gracious living…one level with no steps.   Click To See The Slideshow Photos 8205 Tama Ct Stevenson 21208 MLS #MDBC2011878 Check out this  Stevenson move-in-ready rancher with five bedrooms, two and a half luxury baths, an in-ground fenced pool, and a cul-de-sac location.         Notice the beautiful curved stone wood-burning fireplace in the living room. And gleaming wood floors shows the quality of this recent renovation. Custom designed twenty-seven-foot kitchen includes clean lines with lots of granite, ceramic tile,  an abundant amount of custom wood cabinets and is ideal for the gourmet cook. Enjoy easy living with the stainless three-door refrigerator, double... 04/03/2022

A caller from my radio show is looking to do some major updates to his home. These are necessary repairs if he plans to stay or put his house on the market. But he wants me to suggest a contractor or help him find someone he can trust? I do not recommend vendors that I have not personally worked with or know someone who has. Some people call me asking how they can get on my referral list. Simple, do great work, stand by it and give me some recent references. And then call those folks. Ask specific questions like: Was the job completed to your satisfaction? Was it completed on time? Was the final cost in line with the estimates given in the beginning? If doing this same project, would you use the same crew?You can go on the various websites and get people's recommendations with positive ... 04/02/2022

Selling a house is quite a bit different than living in one. There are times when you only have a moment's notice for a showing. Quick, everyone -out of the house, and that means pets. Below as seen on HGTVAbove is a dog station in a laundry area. Clever how the water bowl and feeding      dish fit into a drawer below the laundry sink, and a cabinet door can be closed to hide the dog bed.Some people think there should be no signs of that four-legged family member while showing the property.I thought this was a neat way to conceal Fido's bed, toys, and food. Let's call it a tiny dog cave. When the pup is away, so is the feeding and sleeping station. My new sellers understand this concept. And both dogs have the use of a kitchen pantry/laundry area, and with the cabinet door closed, their... 03/31/2022

 If you are looking for a home with a first-floor bedroom? Here they are. What do these five homes have in common?-They are all for sale.-They are all single-family homes.-They are all in Baltimore County. -They are all move-in ready.-They all have a first-floor bedroom!  One sits on fifteen acres; another has five bedrooms and an inground pool. One is a single-family condo in a 55 plus community; one is a rancher in Owings Mills with a two-car garage, And the newest one is a contractor's home, formerly a duplex. First-floor bedrooms are in high demand desired by a large majority of people. A first-floor bedroom is easy to maneuver without steps. It is suitable for accessibility, aging in place, and pure convenience. Have you been looking for a Baltimore County Home with the easy living... 03/30/2022

For some sellers, this may be for you.If you have worked for months getting your home ready for sale. Packing, donating, trashing, cleaning, painting, lifting, schlepping, fixing, repairing, and staging. All in preparation leading up to the professional photography session and getting the house ready for the MLS listing. Now that's done, the very best thing you could do isGet Out Of TownAnd I mean take a mini-vacation, go to a nearby luxury hotel and spend a few days. Go to the spa.You deserve some time off, a much-needed rest after your big undertaking, and it is an excellent way to unwind and think about your next move.With you away, there are no worries about messing up the house, getting it ready to show, leaving home, removing the evidence of pets and other family members. You have... 03/28/2022

Here is a post I  started for the December miracle challenge, but it didn't close until February 14th, so I guess it was Valentine's day miracle.  'Draft for the contest:We are now 19 days past our original SS date. Remember (my rant )   It's the weekend before Xmas. My seller moved out of state on the assurance of a closing. When communication was lost (no calls, texts, or emails returned;  I reached out to the president of the lending company. The lender asked me if I wanted him to deny the loan. The RE agent reprimanded me for calling the president of the lending institution and telling me not to make contact again.   There would be no reason to go higher if someone had returned my calls. Impressive, I received several calls and even texts the following day. A call from the buyer's a... 03/20/2022

          Most of the time, a transaction is predictable, and closing happens when it's supposed to.  But there are also snafus, upsets, or a series of unexpected events. The seller may go through stress, turbulence, and disappointments. There is the waiting, the vacating of the house, and the move out of town without a closing. This past month I  sold this Baltimore home representing an exceptional seller, and without telling all the details, this appreciative seller took the time to write this letter.        Cynthia here's to a beautiful life in your new home in a new state where your toes can frequently be in the sand.     03/19/2022

Today a member asked what we carry in our car, and it reminded me of a post written twelve years ago! Take a look. It's in the bag.Times have changed, and here are a few things that I no longer need in that bag. Two phones, a backup in case, a camera with a charger, and the Sentri Key. There is no need to have the listing sheets or directions; everything is on the phone again. My iPhone is my camera and my Sentri Lock, directions, plus so much more...making showings easier. So my bag is lighter, and most of the time, I don't even need that bag.Thinking about buying or selling a homeCall Margaret Rome 03/18/2022

A caller from out of state wants to sell a relative's home that is in significant disrepair. It is not just in need of TLC but of a total renovation. They are looking for a crew to clean it out, paint, carpet, flooring, new appliances, baths, and kitchen. They asked if I could help find and oversee this project. They want/need it to happen fast! And money IS a factor. That's a tall order! I have another suggestion. Let's do the comps on the neighborhood. How much would it sell in pristine condition? How much will it cost to do the renovations? Who will oversee it? How long will it take? And there are no relatives within 1000 miles! With so many buyers priced out of this hectic market, there might be someone who would love to purchase for a price reflecting the as-is condition.  Think wh... 03/15/2022

She told me about her "BOOK" project when talking with Kersh. All about her house, including all the quirks and then some. Think house diary and something everyone could/should do. I loved her idea.When buying a house, what a critical journal to have-If the owner kept records from when they first purchased. Kerch shared what goes into this manual. And there are so many things to document over the lifetime of living in a house.Here are some things for the book, but Kersh will have many more. Do you know where the gas and water shut-offs before you NEED them?Where do all those wires come and go? Cable, phone, electronics, doorbells, and well, you get the idea. How about your heating? Maybe it's geothermal, oil, propane, gas, or electric.  And all the various fireplaces, including wood, co... 03/13/2022