Half Million Points ...a True Group Effort!

 Half Million Points ...a True Group Effort!
 
Today I found these  balloons and the comment below from my friend Gail Harris  on  Thirty Posts In Thirty Days Has Been a Good Challenge  "Sometimes we don't see the forest for the trees, so to speak.  I thought I commented on this post of yours, Margaret. Where am I?  Hmmm, no where close to 22 listings and 10 settlements, and probably not in my lifetime!  Yet you still have time to blog on posts, email and telephone so many of us.  I feel exceptionally lucky.  CONGRATULATIONS TO MARGARET FOR GOING OVER THE 500,000 MARK... YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"  Gail

Thank you for my balloons and for all your support and encouragement. This accomplishment was not done alone. This is the accumulation of a lot of posts, a lot of comments, a lot of  good people sharing and supporting each other, those that I have invited who took the challenge of becoming better in the real estate business. We have all learned from each other. I have learned from the"older than dirt"seasoned agents, the brokers, from the newbies, from the stagers, from the lenders, from the marketing gurus, from the inspectors, from the entire AR membership staff and so many more.

I have been encouraged by Gail and her struggles, her tears over points I am a Colon Cancer Survivor - and here I am worried about.... ,  her determination, her integrity, her wonderful way of questioning and always doing the RIGHT (not the Rome) thing, by thinking of others before the deal!!

Since almost the beginning of ActiveRain (I was number 845) there is no way to mention all the members that I have spoken with, gotten to know through their written words, commented on, actually met at gatherings. You know who you are and I don't dare start to list you because of who I might leave out.
Half a million points is a true group effort!

I Love A Smooth Settlement...Even if the Transaction Has some Bumps

I Love A Smooth Settlement...Even if the Transaction Has some Bumps.

There are times when there are challenges during the buying and selling transaction. When there is a buyer who needs to purchase, a seller who needs to sell and two professional REALTORS who work together to get the deal closed, the result is a smooth settlement. There are others that need to be working just as hard like the buyers, the sellers, the lender and the title company. This is what a smooth settlement looks like. By the way, Daddy was busy signing all those papers while we were posing! Did you notice that even dolly was dressed for the occasion...matching dresses.
   
The title company even had a playroom for the new little buyer!
                                                              
Thanks to Brian Resnick for arranging for a late evening  settlement so the seller could close on their new home the next morning. I Love A Smooth Settlement...Even if the transaction Has some Bumps.

Wednesday Night Open House..Are You Kidding Me? See You at 7:00PM 30 Stablemere Ct. 21209

Yep tonight Wednesday at 7PM we are having an OPEN HOUSE AT 30 Stablemere Ct. Baltimore, Md 21209 located in Summit Chase! The address is 30 Stablemere Ct and you can read more about it at here. Waiting for the Right Buyer Summit Chase Townhouse-30 Stablemere Ct- Baltimore, MD. 21209

Directions: Baltimore Beltway Exit 22 (South on Greenspring Ave) Left at Green Summit Rd. Go two Streets and turn right on Stablemere Ct. House is 30 Stablemere Ct.
                                             Look for the balloon sign!!
                    
A few weeks ago I wrote Do I Buy or Sell First ? Reverse Contingency  These sellers have found their next home and have done a major price adjustment.

I have called each of the agents who have showed this townhouse and invited them to bring or send their buyers. Appointments have been made for this evening and at the same time, there will be an OPEN HOUSE.

If I am going to have the title of being the OPEN HOUSE MASTER Realtor Magazine's Open House Master Video is Here! First ActiveRain Open House Update!  then I am going to have an open house tonight at 7:00 PM.  No Kidding!  An open house at night in the real rain...not just ActiveRain!

Wednesday Night Open House..Are You Kidding Me? See You at 7:00PM 30 Stablemere Ct. 21209

Affordable Eleven Slade Coop #407 Baltimore County 21208 Under $100,000!

Affordable Eleven Slade Coop #407 Baltimore County 21208 Under $100,000! 11 Slade Ave #407Pikesville, MD 21208 Luxury Coop! 2 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths $99,944 Elegant, spacious and bright Baltimore County Coop with covered balcony to enjoy the lush lawn, patio and views of the changing seasons. Large open and bright living/dining room area can accommodate all your entertaining needs. This wonderful coop has abundant storage TWO walk in closets in addition to FOUR closets in the Master Bedroom and TWO more in the 2nd Bedroom. Both full baths have been updated. One has a large tub and shower with grab bars and the other has a tiled shower stall. Lots of room for the gourmet cook who enjoys entertaining. Spacious eat in kitchen with door to hall, and updated white cabinets and blue counter tops. Self cleaning Caloric stove and oven, side by side refrigerator, instant hot and gleaming white porcelain sink and dishwasher. There is plenty of room for cooking and storage with lots of cabinets and counter space. Monthly fee includes heat, AC, valet parking, basic cable, doorman and TAXES! Go ahead and fall in love..this time you can afford this elegant Eleven Slade address and enjoy a Baltimore County location. Bright and very spacious two large bedrooms and two full baths on the 4th floor of this luxury high rise Baltimore County coop. Wide windows bathe the rooms with light. Enjoy the views from the living room, dining room, both bedrooms and the huge covered balcony. Master bedroom with lovely views, boast four closets and an adjoining bath with tub and shower. The monthly co-op fee includes central air conditioning, heat, water, cable TV, valet parking, elevator and TAXES! Cash only contracts. This is the ultimate in carefree living in a Full Service Building. Baltimore County location. 11 Slade Ave #407 Pikesville, MD 21208 Luxury Coop! mrome@homerome.com 410-530-2400 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              410-530-2400      end_of_the_skype_highlighting for your personal showing. Bath Master Bedroom 4 Closets Kingsized Master Bedroom Light Fixture Master Bathroom Tub with grab bars Tub with grab bars Tile Shower Closets in 2nd Bedroom 2nd Bedroom with Large Bright Window with Views Affordable Eleven Slade Coop #407 Baltimore County 21208 Under $100,000!

Self cleaning Caloric oven and Porcelain sink Eat in Kitchen Lots of counters and side by side refrigerator Spacious Living Room and Dining room Crown molding in Foyer Tile Shower Balcony views Balcony views of patio More Balcony views Dining room Dining room adjacent to Kitchen Dining room Tile Stall Shower Door to balcony From Living Room Bath room floor Second Bath

Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes!

Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes!

Earlier this month I wrote Do I Buy or Sell First ? Reverse Contingency . That post received  some good comments. Not everyone agreed.

Please remember I am just looking for more ways to get my listings sold! To get them sold they have to be shown!  Some of my properties are being advertised Lease With Option. If the seller will consider a rental, we can place the property in the MLS under rentals...another way to get exposure.

This post was inspired by  Rent with Option to Buy - Good or Bad Thing for the Buyer/Tenant?  by Dr. Stacey Baaugh.
                                           
When is a Lease with option  beneficial?

When a seller has a vacant home, is out of town, has bought another home, the present one is not sold, high condo fees in an empty unit, has moved to a new job, a condo that has been inherited  and a myriad of other circumstances. This option can give someone time to get their finances in order.

Remember the Lease with Option   is an option only for the buyer. The buyer can exercise the option to purchase.

Why would this be a good idea for a buyer?

When they are not free to put  property in their own name such as in a divorce situation, the need to save for a down payment, waiting for another property to sell, waiting for an inheritance, needing to move for medical reasons and again, a myriad of other reasons.

The sales price is negotiated at the time of the lease. Is this good/bad? That depends on the market, the seller's situation and the needs of the buyers.

Here are two examples of Lease with option.
#1 -Just did a Lease with Option and we negotiated the monthly fee. If  the option is  exercised within the year, the seller will reimburse the buyer 25% of the rent. The seller is happy with guaranteed income for the next year. The buyer is happy not to have to rush and make a decision, knowing there will be an incentive and the price is set.
#2-A couple of years ago a condo was not FHA approved so the buyer could not get financing. We were told it could go conventional. We wrote a lease with option and the seller agreed to reimburse the rent if purchased within six months. The buyer really wanted to buy, did not want to "throw out her money" in rent. When the time came and enough down payment had accrued, again she tried for a loan using 10% and then 20% down. Guess what, the loan could not be made on this building. So what does one do now?   The buyer is living in the home she loves, the seller cannot sell unless there is a cash contract.  We arranged for the seller to do owner financing. All's well that ends!

Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes!

So Many Books So Little Time ...Baltimore Book Festival...I Wasn't the Only One with a Camera!

So Many Books So Little Time ...Baltimore Book Festival

The MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association booth was at the base of the Washington Monument, right in front of the Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church with its gingerbread spires.
      
Anyone who has followed me knows about my Book, Real Estate the Right Rome Way, and my friend and publisher Peg Silloway.

If you want a refresher, here are some posts from the previous years.
Baltimore Book Festival is this Weekend. A Free Autographed Copy of Real Estate The Rome Way
The Baltimore Book Festival - A Signing!
Books and Blue Sky in Baltimore, MD 

Liquid Sunshine and Books in Baltimore

Had fun taking photos of some of the book characters. It was really really hot and  must have been unbearable in those outfits.
     
Colorful Book Characters were entertaining crowds  the entire afternoon. Alway ready to pose for a nearby camera!



                  
                Two adorable girls with world balloons!                                   Sheila Ruth's shirt, says it all!


     
Never know what you might find on the Mt. Vernon Church. First there were these colorful balloons and later a wedding right in the middle of the Baltimore Book Festival! I wasn't the only one with a camera!

So Many Books So Little Time ...Baltimore Book Festival

Butterfly Sandwich at the Lansdowne Inn Baltimore, MD

Butterfly Sandwich at the Lansdowne Inn Baltimore, MD
It was a long hot Baltimore  day and we are both wonderfully busy. Bridget and I decided to take some down time after our successful settlement Thursday afternoon. It was a short sale and it was a smooth settlement.
 Margaret Rome Plus Mortgage Mama = ActiveRain Success   Bridget is a joy to work with! Amazing how she gets it all done always with a smile and with kindness. That is real talent.  I had my first closing with THE MARGARET ROME!!
Since Mortgage Mama knows the neighborhood, I followed her to the Lansdowne Inn located at 2710 Hammonds Ferry Rd Halethorpe, MD 21227

This is a small and friendly place to relax for a drink or bite to eat. After some discussion we decided on a sandwich and a salad.

Bridget thought her sandwich looked like a butterfly. Do you?  Funny since I recently wrote  The Only Beauty in this Baltimore Home for Sale...a Butterfly!

I just wanted a small salad. Our delightful waitress recommended this one. Can you imagine what the big salad looks like? At least there was  some left for the next day's  lunch.

               
                            We now call this a butterfly sandwich!                           And this is the Small Salad!
                                                       
When you are in the area, take time to stop by and check out the   Butterfly Sandwich at the Lansdowne Inn Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Book Festival is this Weekend. A Free Autographed Copy of Real Estate The Rome Way

 
Baltimore Book Festival is this Weekend.         A Free Autographed Copy of Real Estate The Rome Way
 This it the weekend for the Baltimore Book Festival and like the year's past I will be there with my friend and publisher Peg Silloway. Here are a few posts from  previous years.
The Baltimore Book Festival - A Signing!
Books and Blue Sky in Baltimore, MD 

Liquid Sunshine and Books in Baltimore
Again this year I'll be volunteering with Peg of The Silloway Press, at the MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association booth. And this  afternoon  I'll be meeting visitors and signing my book Real Estate the Right Rome Way
Hope to  see  friends, new authors, enjoy the not so hot weather, take pictures of the book characters, and enjoy the Mt. Vernon architecture all around.                     

                                           

Would love it if you would come visit the festival and look me up. I will give a free autographed book to the first five ActiveRainers who show up.  I plan to be Mt. at Vernon the entire afternoon. Give me a call if you want to find me. 410-530-2400 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              410-530-2400      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
 Baltimore Book Festival is this Weekend.  A Free Autographed Copy of Real Estate The Rome Way