Margaret Rome's Blog

Books bring people out every year to Mount Vernon Place in Baltimore at the end of September. On a sunny day, the Baltimore Book Festival will be packed with book lovers from far and wide. On Saturday…well, we had a lot of "liquid sunshine," but the festival took place anyway, and though attendance was down, we were there.

At first, you could have found us (my publisher, Peg Silloway, and me) in the MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association booth, talking with visitors about publishing and handing out information packets on the books published by association members. In every packet was a Real Estate the Right Rome Way post card from my publisher, The Silloway Press.

The president of MBPA, Sheila Ruth, was there with her husband, Nick, and their son, David. Sheila is the publisher in the family and had several of her books on display. Nick is the author of Dark Dreamweaver, and was sporting his signature tee shirt. David is an outgoing young man and natural marketer who handed out information packets and is also writing a book. We had a chance to talk with a few visitors for longer than usual when a heavy downpour sent everyone scurrying for cover, and created a river in the booth. Yep, that "sunshine" was really flowing.

After our shift, we went over to the Live Baltimore booth where I was ready to volunteer, but they didn't need me just then, so we borrowed an umbrella and went for lunch. If the weather had been sunny, we would have found something to eat from the vendors and used one of the many picnic tables that the city set up. But with all the liquid sunshine falling on us, we opted for Donna's where we dried off and enjoyed a lovely lunch.

When Peg left, I went back to Live Baltimore where Ruth Louis, a board member, and Teresa Stephens, a staff member, were welcoming visitors with information and smiles. Like Teresa and Ruth, I live in the City and love it. Besides the bright yellow umbrellas, which were very popular, they had a selection of books about Baltimore including one on Sparrows Point (where I just took a listing, 2414 Lodge Farm Rd. 21219 Baltimore County, Maryland). There were also several books about famous people who have lived and worked here such as Dr. Ben Carson, football great Lenny Moore, and the many writers like H.L. Mencken who have called this city home.

Next year we'll be hoping for a bit more of the traditional sunshine, since we plan to be at the Book Festival again, but this time to sign and sell books!

www.HomeRome.com

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Margaret Rome Live Radio Sunday 12noon-- All ABOUT REAL ESTATE (edit/delete)

I don't do standing appointments for anything. When you are a Type E personality, you find a way to work with people who understand that scheduling is not your strong point. Yesterday at à la Jacques, Lucille fit me in for a quick haircut on about two hours notice. As I was leaving, I called Nona at Paradise salon to see if there was an opening for a manicure. It was 2:58 pm; she had a cancellation for 3:00 pm. Could I be there? Um...depending on traffic, sure – in about 5 or 6 minutes.

This is familiar territory for me – the nail salon is in Pikesville in the 21208 zip code, adjacent to the radio studio where I often spend Sunday talking "All About Real Estate." I've listed and sold many properties nearby, too.

So that's how a Type E functions. I had an opening in my schedule and these special providers worked me right in. I appreciate that they work with me this way, and they know it.

www.HomeRome.com

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And I'm one of them, too. In fact, I have been for years – a member of the Baltimore chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.  It's been the source of contacts and good friends over the years. This is where I first met Peg Silloway  my publisher,   over 20 years ago. At the time we were both in different careers. Peg was a CPA and I was a ceramic artist.

Yesterday the new season got under way with a lunch meeting at Gia Magliano's Confetti's Event Centerin Towson. Right away I saw a great marketing idea that Gia came up with. She has many events (parties, weddings, you name it) at her facility, and has turned bottles of water into portable bits of advertising. Her private label bottles have her company's name on the front and a coupon on the back – a good idea!

There was networking, of course, and then we each had a chance to share our "elevator speech" with the others at our table. After a round of introductions, the leader of our table suggested that we "tell us why someone would use your services." Since my table mates were from all different businesses, we got a good variety of answers:

Carlisle Hashim - Carlisle Flowers
Tanya Waltrick - Baltimore Business Journal
Shobita DuBois - Attorney
Jan Thompson - President, Arthritis Foundation
Sara Williams - Strategic Business Solutions
Nathan Archer - Cintas
Keith Duncan - CitiSmith Barney
Caity Lovett - Shades of Shamrock

When it was my turn, I talked about being a real estate consultant, and that I focus on giving information. I told how my website is set up to allow visitors to search all the active listings so they can find out what is going on in their neighborhood in terms of recent sales. I said, "Use me for information, to get questions and concerns answered, not just when you need to sell." Of course, I talked about Active Rain and the importance of blogging.

After lunch and networking, our speaker was Monyka Berrocosa, CEO of MyCity4Her.com™. Monyka talked about "Effective Marketing in Tough Times: Use your common "cents"! She gave us a lot of good ideas and pointers, including knowing what your marketing budget is, identifying your ideal customer and targeting that customer with your advertising and marketing, and taking stock as you go through the year on what's working and what's not. She talked about using new media including social networking, blogging, podcasting, and YouTube.

And she had suggestions to improve the effectiveness of your marketing efforts such as:

• Connect with someone who provides complimentary service and advertising together.
• Talk and listen to the competition – you can learn what's not working for them and avoid a costly experiment.
• Look at your marketing pieces – if they haven't changed in five years, no matter how much you like them, you probably need a marketing makeover.
• Look at yourself, too – the truth is that you need to present yourself as a professional. If you need a wardrobe makeover, take some of your marketing budget and see NAWBO member Salli Ward of Wonderful Wardrobes.
• If you are running around looking for new clients, don't forget to spend time cultivating your existing clients too.
• Talk to your clients, ask them why they chose you. Be your own walking billboard, and become identified as an authority and industry leader.
• If you speak to groups gratis, make sure you get the promised visibility in terms of publicity and recognition.

With more than 100 women (and some men!) in attendance, including many prospective members, it was a great start to the NAWBO year. I love having a chance to meet other women in business, and though many events I go to are real estate related, I think it's important to reach beyond to other businesses. I meet interesting people and learn something new every time!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

2414 Lodge Farm Road Edgemere, Maryland  21219 3 Bedrooms                                               3 Full Baths $299,944   You can have a single family home that is Close to the water and under $300,000 ! Here is a  Baltimore County  Rancher with 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full baths and a  2 car garage.  One floor living at it's best!  Everything you need is on the first floor. That includes the bright  family room with a door to the large level back yard with lots of potential for landscaping or gardening. First floor laundry makes those every day chores so much easier.   Enjoy the privacy of your own  master  bedroom and bath with an oval tub and separate shower. Two other bedrooms on this same level share a second bath.  Large level 1/2 acre lot backs to trees. Imagine your picnic table and lounge chairs for all your BarBQues and Crab Feasts. After all you are in Baltimore and close to the water.     The huge full lower level,  which measures a whopping 70 feet in length, is ready to finish for  all  your entertaining,  out of town guests or private in-law suite.     This wonderful space has separate entrances from the first floor, inside the home, as well as from the garage and the back yard. Another full bath (and  potential for an additional half bath) is in this lower level. How would you use this home?  So many possibilities..home office, workshop, playroom, hobbies, teenage pad, recreation room, plenty of space for pool table. And don't for get the abundant amount of storage space afforded. You have the ability to create your own custom recreation,media room or just a much needed private "get away." In addition there is a storage shed in the back. You don't have to drive the Bay Bridge to get to the water. Oh so close.. You can walk to the Chesapeake Bay from this single family home right here in Baltimore County. I took these photos just minutes from the property. Just walk to the end of Lodge Farm Road and you are at the water!   Please call me for more details.     Level Back yard with landscaping potential             View from master bedroom to large level backyard   Just a short walk to the water                               Master bath soaking tub with separate shower   Rancher with two car garage                                Master bath separate shower   Rancher with 2 car garage                                   Double sinks in second bath A short walk to the water.                                    Shower in second bath  Another view of the water                                  Generous kitchen with modern appliances, ceiling fan Back of Rancher                                                 Large storage shed Rancher Back yard sliding glass door from family room   2414 Lodge Farm Road   email: mrome@homerome.com

         www.HomeRome.com

          410-530-2400

Yesterday's radio show was one of the best! We had the most calls, maybe in the history of the show. Dave Meurer hosted "All About Real Estate" and asked me to join him as a guest.

We started the show talking about Midori Miller's post, Are You An Extraordinary Real Estate Professional? She describes agents as:

• Mediocre - they say things like: "I've already done that." "It's too much work." 
• Ordinary – they do just what is expected, and simply go with the flow
  
• Extraordinary – they believe in doing what benefits others first, they continue to train and take classes, and they are flexible enough to take action as times change.

Dave and I both believe in being in that Extraordinary group. How? First, we were doing the radio show on a beautiful Sunday at the end of summer. And Dave took time away from his family and very busy schedule to attend the Piggy TRAC Bar B Que Open House  last Tuesday afternoon. He gives extraordinary service, takes the time to really listen, and to help buyers and sellers whether they use him for their mortgage or not.

I had lots more to say but the phone was hot. The board was lit up almost the entire time. We could not get to them all!

We had agents, buyers, sellers, some one with questions on refinancing, a daughter asking about the best way for her mom to purchase a home, an older caller wanting to sell his home "as is", another person talking about the people responsible for the Fannie Mae/ Freddie Mac collapse, an agent calling about her open house (well actually it was about her "open" lot for sale which was near the water.) That led me to talk about a new listing that is coming soon in Sparrows Point: a 3 bedroom, 3 bath rancher with a 2 car garage and you can walk to the water; I will be posting that one soon.

And then Brandon Michael from TRAC Auctions called in to tell us about an auction property this coming Tuesday at 39 N. Eden Street that has been rehabbed. You can see the property www.TracAuctions.com.  I had to put him on hold to get to the other callers.  Thanks for holding Brandon. We then  talked about our new online bidding option. www.eTRACauctions.com. Whew!

Before we knew it the hour was up, the music was playing, and we were signing off. But before we left,  Dave and I extended our condolences to The Overby family on the loss of Terry Stafford's dad. and a big wish for Billie Tutas' speedy recovery. Please pray for TLW. Because caring about our community – even one that stretches across the country like Active Rain – that's another thing that sets extraordinary agents apart.

www.HomeRome.com

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Stefan Swanepoel has really started something. First he assembled a list of the The Top 100 Most Influential Women in Real Estate. Now he is asking us to vote for up to five women who we think are making a mark in our industry.

It's an impressive list, and though I don't know anywhere near all of the nominees, I can wholeheartedly recommend these three whom I know and respect:

• Joeann Fossland – master certified coach extraordinaire
• Frances Flynn Thorsen – blog coach for real estate
• Sharon Simms – very Active blogger and fellow CyberStar^®

I love to see these women getting well-earned recognition. Take a few minutes to read through the list and choose your top five. You have until noon on Friday, but do it now while you're thinking of it!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

The last weekend of September,  Baltimore's Mount Vernon Place will host the must-see event for anyone who loves books and music – the 13^th annual Baltimore Book Festival. With our Washington Monument overlooking the festival site, and the surrounding parks and cobblestone streets, it's the perfect place to spend the weekend.

Friday: 5 - 9 pm

Saturday and Sunday : 11 am - 7 pm

600 Block North Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

The weather's going to be clear and beautiful as more than 200 authors appear to meet fans and sign their books. The festival features 100+  exhibitors and booksellers, non-stop readings on eight stages, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, poetry readings and workshops, panel discussions, walking tours, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, street theater, live music, and, of course, plenty of food, beer and wine.

And…it's FREE. The festival is held outdoors in tents, is open to the public, and is handicapped accessible.

I'll be there this Saturday, September 27, talking about my book, of course. Between 11:00 and 1:00 you can find me with my publisher, Peg Silloway, at the Midatlantic Independent Publishers Association booth (E15). We'll also be checking in at the Live Baltimore Home Center booth for the latest on how they continue to encourage and support buying into and living in Baltimore City.

See you Saturday!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400