Margaret Rome's Blog

Why Do You Have Caleb In Your Pants?  

That was the question Deborah Aiken asked as we entered her Daiken Design booth to view her hand made glass jewelry and accessories.  

                                                                                   
It was one of many times that I explained Flat Caleb as a take off on Flat Stanley.

As Colleen told us in her post, Flat Stanley is a popular children's book about the adventures of a boy who is flattened accidentally. A Canadian schTool teacher, Dale Hubert, began the Flat Stanley Project and 1995, and now there are several versions of Stanley around the world, including our own Active Rain Flat Stanley Project. In typical Active Rain style, Colleen wasn't content with one Flat Dude, but created five Flats and sent them out to experience our worlds. Caleb arrived for his visit in Baltimore having survived - barely! - Hawaii and Florida.

Thanks Nick for sending Caleb even though not first class!     

After a night of tender care and rest from his long and difficult journey, Caleb set out on his first Baltimore adventure. He really had fun and got lots and lots of attention. I shared the day with my dear friend Peg who went with me and Caleb to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD.

As two very busy professionals, we plan ahead to meet at least once or twice a month. This time we made a special exception by allowing Caleb in our special outing.

Crafts people from all over the country come to Maryland for these shows in the spring and fall, all held in the "Cow Palace" at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.

We found out quickly that Caleb was a great conversation starter, though he didn't actually say much, even though several people pointed out that he was hitching a ride in my waistband. Mostly he explored the various displays. With his snorkel and fins, he felt right at home with the watery waves on Aiken's glass plate. Clyde Daugherty's birdhouse seemed a bit odd, but he soon felt the view from the top was worth the climb.

After that, he needed a break and settled down for a rest and a snack with a lollypop and a cooperative bear.

All in all, it was a beautiful day and a great start to Caleb's Baltimore adventure.  Watch for more Flat Caleb adventures in Baltimore. 

www.HomeRome.com

http://www.homerome.com/

Flat Caleb Gets High

Tiptoe Through .... with Caleb

 Why Do You Have Caleb In Your Pants?

Flat Caleb Arrived in Baltimore

7330-7332 German Hill Road  Dundalk           Baltimore County 21222 $589,944      Value is in the LAND! 2.78 acres in Baltimore County! This could be a possible subdivision of 12-15 lots for townhouses in Dundalk  located across from cemetary. The property has a brick 3 bedroom rancher with hardwood floors and central air conditioning. This would be perfect to live in while developing this mini subdivision. Also on this acreage is small storage cottage, a 50' greenhouse (with separate oil tank) and a 3 car garage! Zoned DR 5.5. Check it out! What could you do with this acreage? Imagine having your home,hobby and income all together!!! Click here for an image of the lot. 410.530.2400 cell phone 410.667.5214 voice mail email: mrome@homerome.com

www.HomeRome.com

Baltimore,Md

Flat Caleb arrived safely in Baltimore. Thanks Nick 'Duh' Appraiser.

"As Colleen told us in her post, Flat Stanley is a popular children's book about the adventures of a boy who is flattened accidentally. A Canadian school teacher, Dale Hubert, began the Flat Stanley Project and 1995, and now there are several versions of Stanley around the world, including our own Active Rain Flat Stanley Project. In typical Active Rain style, Colleen wasn't content with one Flat Dude, but created five Flats and sent them out to experience our worlds. Caleb arrived for his visit in Baltimore having survived - barely! - Hawaii and Florida."

Watch for future posts. Where will you see Flat Caleb next?

www.HomeRome.com

Flat Caleb Gets High

Tiptoe Through .... with Caleb

 Why Do You Have Caleb In Your Pants?

Flat Caleb Arrived in Baltimore

Oh no, not another gold star. Please, no more gold stars!

(You know the story of Bre'r Rabbit, don't you?)

In Active Rain, if you are NOT lucky, your post winds up as a featured post. You get lots of comments, and then you have to take the time to answer each one. 

I suppose I could answer them all like a true Type E and say to everyone, "Thanks for the comment." But I don't think people will like that; this is not how to make friends on AR. We need to be answered, and I really need plenty of time to answer each person's comment in depth.

But it's like being caught in a briar patch - the more you do, the more stuck you are. It's messing up my time management. So please, no more gold stars while my business is so brisk.

For now, I need to learn how to write a really good post to get the information out there, but one that is not featured. In fact, I don't know why Broker Bryant hasn't caught on to this yet! He is so unlucky that his posts get a gold star every single time. Poor man...he has to answer hundreds of comments.

 So the trick is to write a post that you are sure will not get a gold star. Write it good enough, but not so good that it gets featured, and then you won't have to worry about taking so much of your valuable time responding.

Ah ha! I think I have this AR blogging figured out. Now I'll have an advantage over all the other really good agents. Let them keep writing featured posts. Let them take time to answer comments (and get no points for it), and I'll have time to go list and sell houses. Yes!

Please, no more gold stars!

www.homerome.com

Baltimore, MD 

But Not in Spain..

I've signed contracts in some strange places over the years, and it got me wondering if other real estate agents have odd-place-signing stories too.

Looking back, my list includes: 

Restaurants (of course) all the way from Pizza Hut and Fuddruckers to Ruth's Chris Steak House.

Then there was the signing at a bowling alley with the rumble of balls and clatter of pins as background music.

There have been contracts signed in a church and in a synagogue – obviously, not during services or on the Sabbath.

We've signed at the gym I visit two or three times a week, LifeBridge Health & Fitness in Baltimore. There was a front steps signing and one in a parking lot among the cars and shoppers. Several contracts have been signed in my car, too.

The signing that was most fun had to be on the wing of our airplane. My sellers were at their summer home in Atlantic City, NJ, and I had listed their unique contemporary home in Baltimore. I wasn't their first agent, so when we got the contract I was determined to get it to them right away. After calling and telling them to meet me at the Atlantic City airport, my husband and I flew down to the shore. I'd expected them to be excited and waiting out front for us. We walked into the airport office and found them just sitting there; they didn't think I would actually be there. After that, where else but the wing of our plane could we sign that contract?

 And here is one more Yee Haw a contract is negotiated!

 With all all those interesting places, my favorite place to sign is still in cyberspace. Between my tablet faxing capabilities and email, I can get them signed at home in my fuzzy slippers.

What unusual signings have you had?

http://www.homerome.com/

Baltimore,Md

I just received this from a friend and wanted to share it with you.

     

     

    There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.

    Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for  survival.     Check out the things that you can do with it:                                                                                                                                                     

      FIRST
    Emergency

    The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.  If you find yourself

    out of t he coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an

    emergency, dial 112  and the mobile will search any existing network to

    establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112

    can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.  Try it out.

     

    SECOND

    Have you locked your keys in the car? 

     Does your car have remote key-less entry? This may come in handy someday.

    Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the

    spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your

    cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have

    the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the

    mobile phone on their end.    Your car will unlock. Saves someone from

    having to drive your keys to you.   Distance is no object. You could be

    hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other

    "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

    Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over

    a cell phone!"

     
    THIRD

    Hidden Battery Power

    Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#

    Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a

    50% increase in battery.  This reserve will get charged when you charge

    your cell next time.

     
    FOURTH

    How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

    To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on

    your phone: * # 0 6 #     A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This

    number   is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere

    safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and

    give them this code.    They will then be able to block your handset so

    even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be  totally

    useless.  You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know

    that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either.     If everybody does

    this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

    And Finally....

    FIFTH

    Free Directory Service for Cells 

    Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411

    information calls when they don't have to.  Most of us do not carry a

    telephone directory in our  vehicle, which makes this situation even more

    of a problem.  When you need to use the 411 information option, simply

    dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at

    all.   Program this into your cell phone now.

    This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it

    on to your family and friends. 

www.HomeRome.com

A couple weeks ago on a sunny, breezy morning we set out for a day trip to Chesapeake City, Maryland. It's an easy drive, a little over an hour, but a world away from busy Baltimore. The area dates back to the 17^th century, but really began to grow in the early 1800's when construction began in earnest on a canal connecting the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay with the Delaware River.

These days there's a modern bridge spanning the C&D Canal, but it's still a working waterway. Chesapeake City, with its Victorian charm, is now a favorite place for weekend getaways.

We were heading for lunch at Schaefer's Canal House until we found out it was closed and under reconstruction. But across the canal we found the Bayard House Restaurant where we had a lovely lunch with family and then walked around the small town.

The Bayard House is the oldest building here, dating back to the 1780's. Originally an inn and tavern, it is now strictly a restaurant.

But there are plenty of places to stay in town, including the tiny B&B, the Old Wharf Cottage, right on the banks of the canal.

The buildings are all well kept and charming, but my favorite might be these high-rise condos with water views in all suites. Move in condition with optional upgrades that include premium twigs and nesting materials. Bountiful buffet provided by visitors year-round. Perfect for the young couple starting a family. Even the birds have quaint housing in historic Chesapeake City!         

 Besides good food, water views, and gingerbread buildings, Chesapeake City offers boat rides, antiques and crafts, gardens, and music in the park on summer Sundays. Take your camera and enjoy stepping back to a slower time.

www.HomeRome.com

Bury Those Boxes!                

                                                                         
We've been enjoying an excess of "liquid sunshine" these last couple of days as a massive nor'easter rolls up the Atlantic coast. Good! Just what my yard needs after the cleanup. 

A couple of days ago it was beautiful cool, sunny weather, perfect for getting the yard in shape. The lawn was cleaned up, weeded, and the trees and garden beds were mulched to keep the weeds away. I thought about all the people who were doing the same thing, getting the outside of their home ready and raising the curb appeal.

Here's a tip we can pass on to our clients who are moving: Did you know that cardboard boxes - plain, without lots of advertising and printing on them - can be placed around your garden, shrubs, and trees, then covered with mulch? In the two years it takes for the cardboard to breakdown...no weeds. Instead of throwing out those empty moving cartons, put them in the garden for another way to recycle.  Just think of it as an easy way to go green.

Even though I'm soaking wet from taking pictures in the rain, I'm glad to be splashing in Baltimore's special spring "sunshine."

www.HomeRome.com

Real Estate Agents (15002)

Just noticed that Active Rain has now reached over 15000 Real Estate Agents. This is remarkable that this has happened in  less than a year!

In July 2006 there were 1000 Real Estate Agents

In September 2006 there were 3000 Real Estate Agents.

In December 2006 there were 7000 Real Estate Agents

In January 2007 there were 8000 Real Estate Agents.

And today April 14, 2007 there are over 15,000 Real Estate Agents!

Way to go!

Congratulations on your success Active Rain.