There Are No Emergencies in Real Estate!

  I wrote in my book  Real Estate the Rome Way   "There are no emergencies in real estate."

  However, there was an emergency this evening.

                                  

My daughter (who is fine now) had to be taken to  the Emergency Room. I was at her house in no time for the quick trip to  Sinai Hospital, where I was a former Head Nurse.

She was taken care of quickly and her treatment took  only a few hours. That part of the emergency was handled with ease. The doctor, nurse, and the entire staff were efficient and very professional.

But now...the real  emergency!  How was I going to write my blog???? I thought about doing it on my  phone...the Palm Pre, but then I had a much better idea.  Erica , brilliant daughter of mine, brought her laptop and is doing the typing right now. 

                                                                  

 Tonight's blog!

Lee and I are contemplating adoption!  Erica has been scouring the internet for the perfect cat. She's been emailing us photos of  special kitties available at  the local adoption sites. And tonight she found Phoebe who seems to be everything we want in a cat. 

 Here is an excerpt of her profile :  "Phoebe is a beautiful well tempered Siamese mix  with diamond blue eyes.... approximately 7 years old... up-to-date on all her shots... spayed and declawed... very clean and litter trained. She has been in a home with two older people for the last couple of years....." 

But it was her face that I fell in love with!!

                                                                                    

We are making plans to meet and "view" Phoebe next week. We are qualified, we filled out the adoption papers and...  If Phoebe likes us, it's quite possible that she will become the newest member of the Rome family.

How the heck is this related to real estate? Well, when a buyer finds "their perfect house" on an internet ad, it may or may not be "their perfect house."  People, pets and houses all have personalities. Without seeing the home...a decision cannot be made.  

Just like a home needs to be previewed and touched and felt (inspected) ...so does Phoebe need to be touched and felt!  

Stay tuned.

Flowers and Birds and Squirrels...Oh My!!

I've only had my new toy for a short time...thanks to my friend William Johnson.  I have been busy with listing and showing properties....but in between real estate, I have taken a few photos using my new tripod.

The pictures are definitely getting better but there is so much room for improvement. My wonderful daughter, Erica, brought gifts today...a baby rose plant and two orchids. What perfect subjects to try my new  TrekPod.

     

                                                                      

I had taken these photos of the birds and squirrel in the past few days. Still trying to get clearer "eyes" of both.

         


Really like this one with the furry critter wrapped around my bird feeder...change that to a squirrel feeder.


                                      

Flowers and Birds and Squirrels...Oh My!!

Excellence in Achievement Can be a Contest You Have With Just Yourself !

This is one of the best photos I've seen on ActiveRain. You can see and feel the action in the water.  What a pleasure knowing that William saved this special picture to share my experience with something he taught me.

It was not until all those robins  appeared in my yard and I compared my photos with William's. The realization:  I could 'feel' the feathers in his photography. That's when I called him. He was abundantly gracious sharing his knowledge and telling me about this new toy.

Via San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-Pro CDPE (RE/MAX Associates):

Excellence in Achievement Can be a Contest You Have With Just Yourself !

I was speaking with Margaret Rome in Maryland early this morning and she was so excited with results she is getting with her new monopod. For those of you that don't know what a monpod it, it is simply a post to mount a camera on that helps steady a camera for tack sharp photos. 

If you think of a tripod (3 legs) , a monopod is simply one leg to balance a camera on that minimizes the camera shake that can give some photos a fuzzy or out of focus appearance. The cool thing about her new monopod, the Trek Tech Pod II, is that it also opens at the bottom to make an ultra lightweight tripod suitable for easy mobility and doubles over as a waking stick for hiking.

 

Margaret is starting to show all the signs of wanting to be a more accomplished  photographer. She is falling in love with her camera and wants it to capture more things that can more easily expresses her excitement of the many things she encounters and then of course to share those experiences with others in her blog. 

Passion will always meet with opportunity and the results will encourage Margaret to have many more successful experiences and learn of the other useful photography tools that will help accomplish some of her more advanced photography goals. No doubt that getting good results in photography makes you want even more good results and like blogging here in ActiveRain, it becomes an experience we would never trade for anything at any price.

Keep your on eye on Margaret, she will soon be adding "photographer" among here other resumé accomplishments.

If you are Buying, Selling or Relocating to San Diego and  need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my San Diego Real Estate website and 
sign up for Listing alerts for your favorite San Diego
Home and Condominium Property Searches.

I specialize in Single Family Homes and Condominiums
throughout the coast and inland areas of San Diego.

William Johnson, Certified Residential Specialist 

 
Need Help and Guidelines for Buying or Selling a Home ? Search for Homes and Condominiums in San Diego County. " Voice of San Diego Real Estate Blog "

                                                            

Do you have professionals on your team in Baltimore?

Do you have professionals on your team in Baltimore?
I hope you have one like  Keith Whitehead, Sr.

When  you have been in real estate for awhile you develop a team...not a team of agents for me..but a team of trusted professionals. One of these professionals is a gentleman by the name of Keith Whitehead,Sr .. President of Home Advantage Home Inspections, Inc. His wife Dee answers the phone and schedules the appointments.

Most of you know that I am a listing agent but  occasionally work with buyers. I have used Keith for a pre-home inspection.  I have used Keith when I am working for the buyer. I will recommend Keith for anyone buying or selling and if my family or friends were purchasing, I would also use him for a buyer purchasing new construction.

A good inspector can help make a transaction go smooth. The inspector is not only there to point out and write up the  defects found with the property but to help educate the buyer. The inspector works for the buyer and having a good rapport with all the parties is essential. There is way of explaining a defect, what it means, how it can be corrected and an estimated cost.

Keith does it by stating the facts and does not let emotions play a part. He speaks to the client during the inspection or he can finish the inspection and just give the summary. Almost all of the buyers choose to stay with him during the entire process. He does a hand written report at the conclusion. For me this has worked well and I can complete the home inspection repair addendum, of course after discussing it with the buyer. It is frequently done with Keith still there to make sure we all understand the issues.

         

This past week, Keith did a home inspection for my buyer  and he was true to form...pointing out the age of certain appliances, how to change a furnace filter, where the main water shut off valve was located, and even how to test the smoke detectors.  The gas fireplace was turned off. He showed how to turn the pilot on and cautioned that the gas fireplace needed to be cleaned prior to using. This was an older condo unit, the buyer was aware of the condition and negotiated the price accordingly.

There was a list of items...no major repairs, a bit of wear and tear and all in all, the buyer decided to remove the contingency with no requests.  The buyer felt completely comfortable with the inspection and felt a good choice was made in her new home.  I emailed the very surprised listing agent to tell her the good news.
Please don't get me wrong. I have no qualms about writing a tough home inspection addendum when needed and even pulling out of contract when warranted.

I hope you have professionals on your team like Keith Whitehead, Sr.

Thank you William Johnson, I took your advice!

Thank you William Johnson for your suggestion. I took your advice! I love being able to see the squirrel's eye, the light through his/her ear, the individual hairs of the furry tail and the buds on the tree. All because I took your advice.


                         


This was a comment made by William Johnson about my Spring Robins in Baltimore.

''I am going to recommend you use a tripod. It is not always convenient so here is a better compromise. Buy a monopod. I have a really neat one ( light as feather with magnetic ball head for fast release of camera) that would be great for a point and shoot camera. I use it when I don't carry my tripod or in a crowd of people at some of our events here in San Diego. It doubles over as a walking stick so it is very cool looking as well. It helps hold the camera from shaking ( even a tiny bit of movement can make the photos less sharp).  Once you have it, keep it handy and the difference in the quality of the shot you simply will not believe until you see for yourself...''

My TrekTech Pod II arrived this week and I have had very limited time to play with it. The photo above was taken using the tripod..a first for me.

The next time I see those robins, I will have better photos for sure!
Thank you William Johnson for your suggestion. I took your advice!

Kilometers for Kids..5K Run/2K Walk Saturday April 9th Oregon Ridge

Kilometers for Kids 5K Run/2K Walk

      

Join us on April 9, 2011

Register Now! Donate To This Event
Event Details Where:

Oregon Ridge Cockeysville, Maryland

Starts: 04/09/2011 @ 7:30 am Ends: 12:00 pm Check-in Time: 7:30 am to 8:30 am Registration Cutoff: 04/08/2011 11:45 pm Donation Cutoff: 04/30/2011 11:45 pm Contact: Rebecca Ednie Phone: 443-506-6537 E-mail Address: JHCCDev@jhmi.edu

Kilometers for Kids is open to all who wish to help raise funds for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
Encourage your family and friends to support your efforts by making a donation in your honor. You can collect these donations and turn them in at Registration on the day of the event or create an online giving page.
Running Maryland will design and officiate at Oregon Ridge. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners and walkers will receive awards.


My dear friends  Sam and Anita Rozenel  started Kids Helping Hopkins.  They are a remarkable giving couple  and I would like for all of us to come out and support Kids Helping Hopkins,Anita, Sam and these children.

HomeRome Realty is a sponsor!
  
                Kilometers for Kids..5K Run/2K Walk  Saturday April 9th Oregon Ridge

Feed the Kitties...Feed the Birdies... While Showing 3738 Bixler Church Rd. Westminster, MD

Feed the Kitties...Feed the Birdies... While Showing 3738 Bixler Church Road, Westminster, MD 21158

These two gals always greet  me at the house... continually looking in the glass front door, jumping up to make themselves known. Why, because they know I will feed them.  And that is my pleasure!

But they need to be a bit more patient...they need to know I have to get the house ready first! Security systems turned off, thermostat checked, doors unlocked, lights on, rooms opened up... all before prospective buyers arrive.

'Mom' (the black kitty on the left) and 'Sharkey' do not like to wait!  And they let me know!

These pretty girls have beautiful green eyes, are spayed and will remain with the home for the new buyers....no extra charge!

                 

        #############################

I also like placing seed in the birdhouse feeder. Within minutes there is so much action...I call it a "Fly-In 711"

                Can you see the three different birds feasting?

                                              

We had back to back showings yesterday at  3738 Bixler Church Road...a very special cantilevered  Contemporary in Westminster.

                                                    

Spring  is such a pretty time to show this property. The trees are starting to bud but are still naked enough so you can see the house. The ground is greening and the many bulbs planted by the owners are starting to rise.

Both prospective buyers expressed, what seems like, serious interest. Some lucky people will be able to call this Frank Lloyd Wright  ''style'' house a home.

Feed the Kitties...Feed the Birdies... While Showing 3738 Bixler Church Road, Westminster, MD 21158

I Have The Buyers in Baltimore, MD Are You Ready to Sell?

I have the buyers in Baltimore! Are you ready to sell ? 

                             

I have just started working with a delightful couple. How long do you think it will take me  to find them a home?

Remember I always ask for their wish list.  Here are some of their requirements...quite practical,

''We are looking for a home  up to $250,000. Must be pet friendly for our two dogs, so a fenced yard would really be nice. We are a young couple and would  like a garage... but will consider a parking pad that would comfortably fit an 18 foot work van. It does not have to be a large home...  2 or more bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths.  We would like a sunny home with outdoor space for entertaining. We really like to garden, entertain and love barbecuing.

We have been driving around looking for a place and need your help.
Some areas to consider but not limited to... would be Canton, Highlandtown, Patterson Park and Mount Washington. We will consider Baltimore County, if it is somewhat close to Baltimore City, up I- 83 or the outskirts of the city. We really like biking to work and would want that option. Both of us dislike traffic and the stress it causes.

We would like to start looking now but can be flexible with a moving date as late as this summer or even early Fall. If you are thinking about selling your home and it in the $250,000 price range, has at least 2 bedrooms, a couple of baths, a bit of grassy area for our dogs and parking, I would love for you to contact my REALTOR® Margaret Rome with HomeRome Realty mrome@HomeRome.com 410-530-2400
We are serious buyers and could give you ample time to find your new home.''

I have the buyers in Baltimore! Are you ready to sell ? 
Please help me help this couple find a home in Baltimore.

How Am I Going to Relate This Photo to Real Estate?

How Am I Going to Relate This Photo to Real Estate?


           

My friend Gary sent this photo of Bart and Samantha  months ago. He knew it would wind up in one of my blogs, sort of a dare. Then a couple days ago he sent me the second photo. So how am I going to relate these photos to real estate?

I could talk about the tortoise and the hare. You know the slow but determined turtle just kept going, one foot in front of the other constantly in motion crossing the finish line to beat out the "bragging how fast he was" rabbit. Nah...did not want to go in that direction.

It seems that everywhere we look, the topic is a slow  market.  Just tune into your TV, Radio and local newspaper.

Real Estate, especially now, is not a quick, get rich, make fast deals, become a gazillionair and get out. It takes time, it takes patience, it takes showing up and being there.

Like blogging the leads and contacts don't show up with one post, no matter how good it is  not  even it gets FEATURED.

The buyer doesn't show up  because of one  advertisement.  You don't get a client for life with a personlized keychain.

When you build your business one satisfied client at time, you get referrals and you get repeat business. You keep doing the basics, marketing the heck out of your properties, giving the best service and answering your phone.  Before long you have a following, a reputation, and you have results.  You have an established real estate business!

It is the deliberate repetitive proven strategies that builds results over time. Find what works and use it along with all the other marketing tools.

A phone call from a seller wanting to know what I would do to get her home sold. I asked, how did you find me? The answer, of course, was the internet. Each of her searches kept coming up with me.

And each of her searches were leading back to a blog. She put in her zip code, her neighborhood, a favorite restaurant, the gym, a pizza place, a local deli. Each time she got results linking back to me, Margaret Rome, HomeRome, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome, a HomeRome listing etc. This did not happen overnight. Some of those links were from posts written 4 years ago.

Those of us who have been here on ActiveRain are getting good results.  Look how I got  this referral.  This kind of thing does not happen overnight!


That's How Am I Going to Relate This Photo to Real Estate!

31 International Circle Garrison Woods 21117 HomeRome Listing in Owings Mills

31 International Circle
Garrison Woods/McDonogh Township
Owings Mills, MD 21117
3 Bedrooms
2 Full Baths
2 Half Baths
$224,944

Here is a delightful home located conveniently to Baltimore Beltway 695 and I 795 .
This is a three bedroom interior townhouse with three finished levels.

Plenty of parking for family, guests or when you decide to entertain.

The lower level is finished, carpeted and makes an ideal "man cave" complete with a half bath, an extra refrigerator to stock with your favorite soda or 'Natty Boh" and  you can then invite the entire gang. Sliding glass doors lead to the walk out deck...perfect place for your summer crab picking party.

Laminate wood floors in foyer and gourmet eat in kitchen. There is a  pass through to the dining room and carpeted sunken living room. Enjoy the wood burning fireplace with heatalator on those chilly evenings.

A set of sliding glass doors take you to the large deck and is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the seasons. The owner has upgraded to warm efficient GAS heat.

The gourmet kitchen has wood cabinets, built in microwave, plenty of room for family meals and the table fits nicely in the bay window.


Teenage boy's room

Master Bath with glass doors

Master Bedroom with cathedral ceiling.

Master Bedroom with Ceiling Fan

Dining Room with Laminate floors

Laminate wood floors in eat in kitchen

Sunken Living Room with sliders to deck.

2nd Full Bath

Teenage girl's room

Finished "man cave" has sliders to deck.

This special home is located in Owings Mills north of the Baltimore Beltway and close to I 795 minutes to Owings Mills Mall with movie theaters, great shopping and nearby restaurants like Upper Crust ,Suburban House  and Linwoods.

Please call me to see 31 International Circle in Garrison Woods.
410-530-2400

A Grab Bar can Hold Towels but a Towel Bar Cannot Hold Grabs!

                      

A Grab Bar can Hold Towels but a Towel Bar Cannot Hold Grabs!

This is a very good grab bar which can be placed in many different areas. The most popular is the bath room where most accidents occur. No reason why this grab bar could not be used to hang towels..maybe even a magazine. One thing for sure it is sturdy enough for a person to hold onto and, if necessary, lift themselves up. Notice it is screwed into the ceramic tile not glued on.

                                                          
Another grab bar is placed vertical and next to a hand held shower. This could hold a wash cloth and it can definitely hold the bather. Sideways or straight up, this is a very sturdy device and much needed for  safety.

                                                  
                                                               
Take a look at this bar below. It is pretty standard towel bar and it can hold  towels for many years. The ends are attached with grout and the bar is an easily replaced plastic square tube, light in weight.

Can you imagine if someone needed to support themselves and grabbed this kind of bar?
It might hold in the beginning but this is an accident waiting to happen.

                               
                                 A Grab Bar can Hold Towels but a Towel Bar Cannot Hold Grabs!

31 International Circle Garrison Woods 21117 HomeRome Listing in Owings Mills

31 International Circle Garrison Woods/McDonogh Township Owings Mills, MD 21117 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths 2 Half Baths $224,944 Here is a delightful home located conveniently to Baltimore Beltway 695 and I 795  . This is a three bedroom interior townhouse with  three finished levels. Plenty of parking for family, guests or when entertaining. The lower level is finished, carpeted and makes an ideal "man cave" complete with a half bath, an extra refrigerator to stock with your favorite soda or 'Natty Boh" and then invite the gang. Continue your entertaining through the sliding glass doors leading to the walk out deck. Laminate wood floors in foyer and gourmet eat in kitchen which has a pass through to the dining room and  carpeted sunken living room with a wood burning fireplace with heatalator.  A set of sliding glass doors take you to the large deck and is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the seasons.  The owner has upgraded to warm efficient GAS heat and smooth top cooking for those gourmet meals!

View from Unit Kitchen Kitchen with laminate floors Kitchen Bay Window Dining Room Living Room Fireplace Half Bath Master Bedroom Master Bedroom Master Bath Teen Boy's Room Teen Girl's R oom Second Full Bath Deck - View from Deck Laundry A Other #1 Living Room #2 STOP! There is a New HomeRome Listing at 31 International Circle Owings Mills 21117 Please call me to make an appointment to tour 31 International Circle. Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome 410-530-2400 mrome@HomeRome.com