Margaret Rome's Blog

Allen Hainge and Ellie Palmer were driving over to Baltimore from Reston, VA to meet us for lunch. Great. And I knew exactly how to get to the Bay Café, but it's difficult to explain to someone who doesn't know that area of Baltimore where streets don't all go in a nice, neat, criss-cross grid. This is near the harbor, and some streets have been there for literally hundreds of years. They turn at odd angles, and some are one way.

But thanks to a neat feature of the Treo, I could get directions by sending a text message to GOOGL (46645), and in seconds I had the address on my screen. I gave Allen and Ellie the address for their GPS, and they got there before we did! Allen of course knew about the neat tech tip, and Ellie was looking up  all kind of "goodies"  on her cell phone to see what was in nearby Baltimore city that was fun.

We had a delightful late lunch overlooking the water, and got right into the "You are on Vacation" frame of mind. They have yummy Maryland crab soup, great shrimp salad, and Lee loves their hamburgers. With good friends and a vacation mindset, you don't need to go away to get away!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

How exciting is this? Recently I recorded a teleseminar on Creative Strategies to Attract Serious Buyers in A Declining Market with iSucceed.com, the real estate training and real estate self-help coaching center. My conversation with Bill Shue has just been posted, and you can find it here: http://www.isucceed.com/  Scroll down a bit and you'll see it under "Just Released."

Bill is an enthusiastic interviewer, and we had a chance to talk about how we can all find ways to do better no matter what the market is like in your  area.

• How to weed out the tire-kickers
  
• A simple no-hassle method of attracting buyers
  
• How to serve your buyers and get listings in the process
• A unique method for guaranteeing buyers will flock to your listing

Of course, I love sharing what works here in Baltimore and encouraging people to try new things wherever they are. If you're an iSucceed member already, give it a listen.

If you're not already a member, you can still listen by taking advantage of iSucceed's offer of a free 30 day Premier Membership which will give you access to not only my session but also all of iSucceed's new features, such as redesigned marketing tools, Create A Plan business planning software, and the new "Mentoring to Go" CD series. All you do is go to the "Join Now" page, select the Premier Membership, and use the promo code "isucceed30."

You know I love to talk (!), but I'd also love to hear your feedback on this teleseminar. We can always improve, so let me know what you think.

UPDATE!  9/3/08 - Bill Shue wrote an article for Trans World News about this intereview - a very good discussion of whether teams are the wave of the future, or if there is still room for solos. Read it here:

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?ID=60485

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

When your child shines, you glow. So you can understand why I'm proud of my talented daughter, Erica, who will be playing for the  Victorian Lyric Opera Company's Gilbert & Sullivan Sing-Out this weekend.

Every five years, VLOC in Rockville, MD, holds this gigantic Gilbert & Sullivan event. All thirteen (13!) light operas will be presented over three days. All will be accompanied by piano except The Grand Duke, which will be performed with full orchestra. Die-hard G&S fans have waited five years for Rockville and are traveling to Maryland this weekend either to be spectators or peformers.

Here's the schedule:

Friday evening, Aug. 29 (7pm-11pm: Trial By Jury, Patience, The Mikado)

Saturday Morning, Aug. 30 (9am-12pm: The Sorcerer, Princess Ida, H.M.S. Pinafore)

Saturday Afternoon, Aug.30 (12pm-5pm: Utopia Ltd., Ruddigore)

Saturday Evening, Aug. 30 (7pm-11pm: The Grand Duke, The Pirates of Penzance)

Sunday Morning, Aug. 31 (9am-12pm: The Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe, The Gondoliers).

Erica will be at the piano Friday night for Trial By Jury and The Mikado, and again Sunday morning for The Yeomen of the Guard.

Everything you always wanted to know about Gilbert, Sullivan, and their operas is on the archive site here.

Audience tickets are available through the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater box office at 240-314-8690. Tickets will be sold in blocks (Friday evening, Saturday Morning , Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening, and Sunday Morning) for $25 for Friday night, including an opening reception with light refreshments, and $20 for all other blocks.

For directions to the theater, click here.  

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

It was another beautiful Saturday morning when ten of us in four planes flew in to Cambridge, MD for breakfast at Kay's. The owner, Kay herself, stopped by our table and enjoyed reading what I wrote about a visit we made a few weeks ago.

I called from the plane to make reservations since we knew there was a Wings 'N' Wheels 2008 event going on. It was fun to meet and talk with several of the other pilots. While enjoying a wonderful meal and wonderful conversations, I asked Carlo about taking a ride in his Air Cam. From the smile on his face it was clear he was delighted, and the next thing I knew we were out on the grass and I was climbing into this open aircraft, putting on my headset, and buckling the seat and shoulder harness. 

We took off waving to our group on the ground. The wind in my face was exhilarating! This aircraft can be flown from the front or rear seat, and I had a set of instruments and a joystick, but was too engrossed with the excitement to even think of trying to fly the plane. Uh oh, look at this...it says Experimental! Down below I could see other experimental design along with ultra lights, biplanes, and even a B25 bomber.

Now this was flying – the other trips were just transportation from Point A to Point B. At only a few hundred feet above the ground, the views were awesome. Can you see how close we were to the hotel? Wheeee what fun!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

1504 Kirchner Lane Anne Arundel County 21054  (Draft) (edit/delete)

1504 Kirchner Lane, Anne Arundel County 21054 $949,944 Newly Remodeled and Redecorated Williamsburg Colonial estate with lush gardens and extensive landscaping. Surrounded by woods and wildlife on 3.5 acres in the private community of Nancarles, this impressive home boasts over 4500 square feet on 3 finished levels. Enjoy the peace and quiet of country living, yet conveniently located 30 minutes to Wahington DC,  30 minutes to Baltimore and 10 minutes to Historic Annapolis. Complete with both formal and informal spaces and featuring an Entertainer's Dream Kitchen, this is a home not to be missed. Main Level Formal Dining Room, Living Room and Grand Entry featuring hardwood floors, custom wood burning fireplace and crown moldings. Bright gourmet entertainer's Dream Kitchen with enormous granite center island, double ovens, double sinks, double cook tops, double dishwasher, gorgeous cherry cabinets, luxurious Travertine marble tile floor, bay window and skylights. Expansive Family Room off Kitchen with wood burning fireplace, marble surround, built in cabinets, Berber carpet & double French doors leading to screened porch and deck Main level Bedroom has hardwood floors large windows overlooking woods and koi pond and boasts a newly decorated Full Bath. Separate first floor Laundry Room plus a  Half Bath is located next to the gourmet kitchen with easy access to the 3 car side loading garage. Over sized Walk In Pantry featuring Custom Cabinets adjacent to  a Separate room now used as a home Office. Upper Level Newly Remodeled Master Suite with Spa-Like Master Bath, featuring soaking tub, separate shower with dual shower heads, double vanity, slate tile plus a separate and expansive walk in closet. Abundant use of natural slate. Three other large Bedrooms with hardwood floors under new carpet and beautiful tree top views of the property...and another full bath Lower Level Pool Table Sized Recreation Room featuring a wet bar and walk out to flagstone walkway Large storage room with workbench and cabinets 3 Car side loading garage A private get a way in the Spacious master bath with spa tub spa shower. Notice the generous use of custom slate.  Spacious master bath with spa tub. . A private get a way in the Spacious master bath. Notice the custom hand formed copperl sinks Custom copper sink on granite counters.   www.HomeRome.com mrome@HomeRome.com For Private showings 410-530-2400   Click here for a plat of the property. Living room wood burning fireplace Deck and screened porch Pond with waterfall stocked with koi fish Pond with waterfall stocked with koi fish Play areas on the wooded lot Gorgeous gardens in bloom Bright gourmet kitchen with sky lights Luxury granite gourmet kitchen looking over the waterfall from your screened in deck A private get a way in the Spacious 3 person spa shower. Notice the generous use of custom slate.   email: mrome@homerome.com

The Ravens encouraged ticket holders to remain at M&T Bank Stadium tonight after the conclusion of the team's pre season game against the Minnesota Vikings.  The reason... to watch the NBC broadcast of Michael Phelps' final race of the Beijing Olympics  on the stadium's SmartVision  board.                              

Michael just won his 8th Olympic Gold and Baltimore's Raven's Stadium was filled with with 70,000 fans. Baltimore has so much to be proud of. Look at the crowd that stayed late and watched Michael finish his fantasic accomplishment!

A Gold and A Bronze Olympic Medal! Both Swimmers from Baltimore!

 Way to go Michael ! Way to go Baltimore!

On Sunday, I received a call from Nancy Dunham, a reporter at the Baltimore Examiner  interested in my special listing 2349 Southfield Ct. Finksburg, Maryland 21048   She was looking for a  good home to feature in her story about auctions.  Nancy was on a deadline and needed all the information by that evening.  I was available  to provide the copy.  

The above story  ran in the paper yesterday and even though I have not seen the actual paper (the news box was empty at the corner) I have gotten calls and emails with questions and interest in seeing the home. This is  the best definition of what I call Accelerated Marketing.

Locale: 2349 Southfield Court, Finksburg

• List Price: $499,944
• Features: This grand home boasts space and elegance with gleaming hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen, two-story foyer, stone fireplace and much more.

Details: Margaret Rome, TRAC Auctions;     Cell  (410) 530-2400       ; Margaret@tracauctions.com"

Thank you Nancy Dunham for contacting me, placing this in your newspaper and letting the public know about Accelerated Marketing. My sellers saw this and are very pleased with the additional advertising publicity, marketing! Advertising does work. Internet Advertising Only? ..... I Think Not !

Michael Phelps, from Baltimore,  just won his eighth Olympic gold medal a new world record. This photo was taken while our National Anthem was playing.

 Tim Dahlberg,AP Sports Columnist "..Four minutes and 3.84 seconds after it began, it was over. The first gold medal was his, and the message to his fellow swimmers was clear. Swim for the silvers and bronze if you wish. Just don't think about winning the gold. Those belong to Phelps." "NBC had to be pretty happy, too. The network took an $894 million gamble that American television viewers would put up with taped coverage and odd hours if they could also get some live drama during prime time'

                    Katie Hoff, who is also from Baltimore won an Olympic  Bronze Medal

                                                 Michael and Katie, you make us all proud.

An Update 8 Gold Metals and 70,000 Fans Fill Baltimore's Raven's Stadium

www.HomeRomecom 

In today's market, a professional real estate agent owes it to the seller to consider and present all options for selling a property, especially when it has been on the market for a while. Accelerated Marketing can be one of those options.

There's a popular perception that "Auction" = "Distressed Property." That's a holdover from the Depression and the downturn of the 1980's, but no more true today than the idea that direct mail is the only way to advertise.

In reality, "Auction" can mean "Non-contingent,  NO closing costs, NO commissions, NO inspections!" Doesn't that sound better to the seller?

 Bidders at an auction know they are going to pay only what they have to and are comfortable with, and sellers know they will get the best price possible. The point is, a creative and experienced auction company can create a buying audience of qualified buyers, build interest, and create urgency. In other words, do some Accelerated Marketing!

These days it's not unusual to see multiple properties  on the same street for sale. Sellers are competing with each other.

 It's hard to sell in this situation but suppose all the other listings have realtor signs out front, and one property  has an auction sign. That auction house is proclaiming it will be sold at a specific time on a specific date. As a potential buyer, why would you not come to that sale? We humans love to get a better deal, and "Auction" says we have a chance at doing better than bargaining with the owners of the other properties for sale.

In fact, that's exactly what happened earlier this week. As you can see, the purple and black TRACauction sign is on a busy road advertising three commercial properties that had been on the market for about 10 months.  We held the auction and two of the three properties sold!  For the seller there is a 30 day settlement.

Many Realtors® are not familiar with the options available with auctions, and so don't offer them to their clients as an alternative. Auctions allow you to customize terms and conditions the way you and your seller want them, and there are different types of auctions to choose from. Why not put the auction tool in your real estate toolbox? More Details www.TRACauctions.com

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400