Margaret Rome's Blog

After reading  How to Keep More People in Their Homes and Avoid Foreclosure I called Richard Gayle to compliment him on his featured post.

We had a good conversation and while Richard was trying to figure out how to get his message out, I suggested  that he call the show!

Just look how many good comments he has on this post.  Do you  think this will make a good discussion? The host tomorrow is Dave Meurer with National Citi Mortgage. It will be interesting to have a lender address this subject. Please tune in!!

Yesterday was very busy and very productive! taking a new listing in the morning. I tried to email my client a listing in her neighborhood, but could not get a connection.

My special chauffeur and wonderful husband  spent the day with me and our special friend. Carol, who is moving to Baltimore. Thought it would be fun to have Lee along so that I could pull up listings, make calls, write notes, email, discuss the different areas....and he could wait in front of the condos to save me time from parking the car. It is also a whole lot safer than my driving and doing all those things. It is also easier to check emails from my TREO when I am not concentrating on my GPS.

 Again no email connection. The three of us went out for an early dinner, knowing that I was way behind with my calls and emails. Still no connection.

And then at 9:24 PM , I received a phone call from Joe Smith and yes that is his real name. He hosts my email and you can find out more Nebraska Networks: Quality Website Design - Home  

Joe reported that a tornado hit Omaha around 4:20 in the afternoon. 120,000 people  without power and he was moving his wife and two children to a hotel. This wonderful man called me concerned about my email connection. What a guy!  The tornado hit the main station.

I texted Joe this morning to see how he and his family did overnight. Joe called me right away.There were two fatalities and lots and lots of damage. Joe has been taking lots of pictures and will be sending me photos later. Don't know when email will be back but what relief to know that the Smith family is safe!

BTW,  I am thankful that I have been able to reach many people through the  Active Rain network.

The other day I was talking with a older person whose family was trying to get her to move. I found myself saying emphatically: "Don't do anything you don't want to. But DO everything that you want to." And when I was done, it felt good and right.

I thought about how this simplifies my business and my life:

• I don't want to work with clients who are unpleasant to me or others…so I don't. Life is too short for that kind of aggravation.
• I don't want to cut my commission (which would mean that I would have to cut my service)…so I don't. I get one of the highest full service commission rates in the area, and my clients know they get top value.
• I don't want to drive buyers all over town looking at houses…so I don't. I work almost exclusively with sellers.
•  I don't want to ever regret choosing real estate…and I don't. Where else can you work with interesting people, help them reach an important life goal, and be part of a nation-wide community of professionals who become friends? 

These are the CyberProfessionals who gathered in Pittsburgh last month. Technology and Chocolate for the CyberPros

But:

• I DO want to be assured that my clients get the best possible service. That's why I answer my phone, make my own appointments, and am there for most showings.
• I DO want to create referral business. That's why I use my experience in nursing to nurture clients and help them through the high-stress time of buying a home.
• I DO want to help new agents, the ones who want to learn and stay in the profession for the long haul. That's why I mentor when I can and speak at new agents' training sessions.
• I DO want to sleep well. That's why I don't cut corners or take shortcuts. They just are not worth it.
• I DO want to spend time with my family and friends. That's why I carve out time when I am not available to clients, and never forget who is most important in my life.
•  And I DO want to keep growing and learning, even after 18 years in the business. That's why I keep taking courses, getting new designations like ACRE, and why I'm writing a book.

I can imagine some people shaking their heads and saying, "That sounds fine, but in business sometimes you have to do things you don't want to." No, you don't. There are always alternatives; you have to figure out what they are and then decide what you will do.

And then there are those who are thinking, "I want to DO those things, too, but the business is different here. I can't make it if I take time off for vacations or chasing people down to make appointments." That's your choice. Just consider what you may be missing by not spending the time with your family, or not giving yourself a rest. And, I actually save time and aggravation for my sellers by making my own appointments.

Like most basic principles in life, it's pretty simple. DO everything you want to, and DON'T do anything you don't want to.

When packing for a short trip – just a quick overnight away- traveling with  one suitcase is a must for me. I started with the essentials, added the clothes, cosmetics and stuff.   Suddenly the bag was full and the shoes wouldn't fit. How could that be?

Then I looked again. Half my overnight bag was taken up by things I couldn't wear either day or night. They were not accessories – they were absolutely essential.

You guessed it – they were electronic. The chargers  and hot sync cord for my Treo, the camera along with battery and cord ...in case I want to upload a photo for Active Rain. My Tablet PC wiith keyboard, mouse, power cord, USB wifi connector and the universal charger that turns a car cigarette lighter outlet into a charging station. You name it, it goes along with me.

I used to carry my Tablet over my shoulder but now pack it. That way I have only  one thing to carry or shall I say pull because the case has wheels. Who was that genius who invented wheels for luggage?

My TREO is in a case attached to my waist. You see one hand pulls the luggage, the other is free to talk, text or look up info. 

My tech gadgets make it possible for me to do real estate my way. If it comes down to a pair of shoes or an essential electronic device.... no contest. The shoes I'm wearing will do just fine!

When you travel, just how and what do you pack?

www.HomeRome.com

You never know when or how a new member of Active Rain will arrive, but it's always fun to introduce someone to the power and potential of this group. Just last night I received an email from Jo-Ann McFearin of Cleveland, Ohio. She found me through CRS because she was looking for an agent in Baltimore who might help her son find a home for six months. As she said, "My son will be doing an internship at Northrop Grumman for 6 months and is looking for an apartment or house-sitting situation." He wanted something close to BWI-Marshall Airport which would put him right near his internship.

Now I don't know of anyone looking for a roommate, or any rentals by the airport, or any house sitting needs, but I wanted to help this agent from Cleveland. So I made a phone call to Jo-Ann.... even though her email said the best time to call was in the morning.

While playing a bit of telephone tag, I searched for Jo-Ann in AR. Not finding her, I did the next logical thing - I sent her an invitation.

When we finally connected  after 9 pm, she already had my invitattion and was logging on to Active Rain. So I suggested that she start with her profile, put up a photo and then blog about her email to me. Maybe someone on AR would know of a place for her son. I also suggested that she put this up in the referral section on AR to give it more visibility. And just an hour later…there was her first blog.

So what took place last night?

• A huge commission check? Not by a long shot!

• Help for a fellow agent from out of town? Yes.

• Help for a young man with his move to Baltimore? Yes!

• A new Active Rain member? YES!

Did I have time for this? Not really. But I thought if my daughter were moving to Cleveland, I just bet that Jo-Ann would be doing the same for me. And isn't that one of the great things about our business and Active Rain?

www.HomeRome.com

Halleluiah! 8203 Stevenson Road is under contract! This is the "perfect house" that took me years to find for the special needs of one of my favorite families, only to have them decide they wanted a two-story home in a very kid friendly neighborhood.

In our business, we are all too familiar with the frustration of young families struggling to own a home where their children can be happy, safe, and go to good schools. Think what it must have been like for a young couple with a child who had a disabling genetic disease that requires special accessibility. Then realize that the disease, Mucolipidosis type IV (ML4), is both rare and untreatable. Merely coping with daily life is an immense challenge for such a family. Finding a home that met all their special needs seemed nearly impossible.

Then one afternoon I took a listing in Baltimore County that I knew at once was perfect for them. The home had everything they wanted in a ranch house, plus it had a lower level garage. The only thing we had to do was put in a second driveway to the side of the house we replaced the  sliding glass doors with a French door.  This one change allowed access and made this home – total perfection. 

After a couple of years, as the children grew, the young family opted for a neighborhood with more children, so the "perfect" house went on the market again. It's been months, and we've had plenty of lookers but no buyers, even with price reductions and  Accelerated Marketing on a Perfect Day  Susan and Paul asked again, "What do you think is the reason our home has not sold?" I know that the majority of you would say, "The only reason a house does not sell is PRICE." And yes, the price is very important. However in this case my reply " the RIGHT buyer had not seen it."

So many people who saw the house wanted cathedral ceilings, wanted the modern Jacuzzi tub. This custom ranch home of solid stone, was built in 1959. It sits on a beautiful  3/4 acre landscaped lot fenced with patio and two driveways for easy access from both levels. This home  does not  lend itself to soaring ceilings.

One week ago I showed the house to a retired couple who seemed to love everything about the property.... perfect location, and at a comfortable price. They were amazed at the condition and how right it was for them. When I spoke to the sellers my reaction...this couple is the right "fit" but let's not get our hopes up.

The buyer's agent is Linda Odum and her daughter Courtney Odum-Duncan. Many years ago I had a transaction with Linda, a top notch Realtor® with ReMax. I remember it well, a log cabin home in the woods, again a home that needed a very special buyer. It was the first log home that I ever listed and thought it would be impossible to sell; boy, was I wrong! I had more calls on that property than any other.

When Linda brought a young family to look at the property, I noticed that the kids were having such a good time with the owner's dog. Knowing that my seller was moving out of the country, I asked about his pet. He was concerned; the puppy had never known another home, and to transport him would not be easy. I suggested writing the dog into the contract! It was the first time that a dog was a part of one of my transactions, but that is what helped make it work. What did we have? Happy seller, very happy buyers, one very happy puppy, and two agents who worked together to make it all happen,

I am again looking forward to a smooth settlement with Linda and Courtney. The offer came in Friday and we had a signed contract in less than 24 hours. When the right price and the right buyer combine, what fun it is when everyone is working to get the deal done.

Again happy buyers, happy sellers and good agents working together!