Margaret Rome's Blog

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Blog...The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Gift BoxA blog is the gift that keeps on giving!

When I write a blog article, that's not the end of that story. Whenever possible, that blog becomes a marketing piece, a thank-you note, an "I was thinking of you" reminder to a prospective client, and another opportunity to remind clients and prospects of my service and expertise.

Here's one example: There was a buyer who came to Baltimore from the British Virgin Islands to find a place for her college student daughter. She found me through the Internet and was interested in one of the condos I had listed. She was a delight to work with, and bought one of the condos for her daughter. I did a follow-up post on that which helped to reinforce what was already a good relationship. I pointed to the story again in a post that reminded folks that many young people – singles and young families – are finding Baltimore condos to be an affordable choice with great convenience features. My listing inventory of condos is at an all time high, and I find that younger buyers are looking at my high-rise buildings and thinking of buying.

 

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Something else I do is use a blog article as a reminder gift for a person or business. For example, when I write about a restaurant like Tio Pepe in Baltimore, or a dairy with great ice cream in Harford County, I print copies of the article in color and then laminate them. I take them to the owner the next time I visit - one always goes on the wall, and the other is for them to show off. It takes just few minutes and a few cents, but the impact is huge.

Real Estate The Rome WayBlog articles also are a source for my print advertising. When I have great feedback from a client, like the cient from the British Virgin Islands, I use excerpts in my print ads to reinforce to both clients and prospects the level of service they can expect.

And of course the great benefit of having a large collection of blog articles is that you have taken the time to think and write about many aspects of the real estate business. After a few hundred thousand words, you have the core of a book that you can publish and use to promote yourself to prospects and clients. No magnet or mug can compare with the impact of a book with your name as author when it comes to proving that you are the expert in your market.

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www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

68 commentsMargaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty • October 29 2009 02:41PM

5905 Berkeley Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21209 Cheswolde, Mt. Washington

   

5905 Berkeley Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21209

Cheswolde/Mt. Washington


4 Bedrooms
2 Full Baths
1 Powder Room
$424,944

 

H

You have found the perfect home ...it is even in the shape of an "H". Take a look at this very special custom contemporary brick "H" shaped rancher with four bedrooms and 2 full baths all on the first level.

Baltimore Real Estate in 21209 Means Mount Washington and More

Easy to care for and pretty to look at, the entire first level has "wood" laminate flooring.

The slate foyer welcomes you into this very bright open living room with cathedral ceilings.

Notice the brick wall with the wood burning fireplace... now being used with a gas insert. You have your choice wood or gas.

There is a "sliding" divider that separates the formal dining room and kitchen from the main living area. Cathedral ceilings and glassed window walls bring the beauty of the seasons to you.

Inside or outside, your patio is surrounded on three sides (remember the shape of the house). You can enjoy this space year round while in the living area or right outside your sliding glass doors. What a pleasure to have this private area...the perfect setting for your morning coffee, a quiet afternoon of reading and later a perfect spot for a Baltimore cookout! The kitchen also has big bright windows, an abundance of cabinets and a bright laundry area in the ideal spot...right where you need it.

The lower level is finished for use as studio or workshop and has abundant storage a half bath, a cedar closet and is also accessed from a door leading to the driveway.

 

 Wood stairs leading to the lower level.

 

 

Rear of Rancher showing the patio area

Rear of H Rancher showing the private patio

Front of H shaped Brick Rancher

Finished lower level has outside access

Abundant storage in lower level

Brick wall and cathedral ceilings

Private patio with sliders from large dining room 

 

 Hardwood stairs leading to the finished lower level.

Bright living room has wall of glass

Easy care wood laminate flooring

Brick wall with wood burning or gas fireplace

 

 Contemporary Living room

Open floor plan allows flexable furniture placement

Slate foyer can be separated with sliding wall

Bright sunny kitchen windows

Electric cook top bit you have a choice of gas

Convenient laundry between kitchen and bedrooms

Kitchen has lots of storage cabinets

 

Patio access from dining room's sliding glass door 

Privacy and views from patio and dining room

 

email: mrome@homerome.com

 

 

 

 

 

4 commentsMargaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty • October 28 2009 05:34PM

Getting Unstuck .. an Umar Hameed Forum...Tuesday Morning November 3rd

My friend and speaker , Umar Hameed,  will be hosting this forum  Tuesday Morning November 3rd

 Having the opportunity to listen to Umar, if only for a short time is worth every minute! 

Event Details

Tuesday, November 3, 2009  8am-9:30am

Highly Effective Ways to Get Past the "Gatekeeper"

 

You will never make the sale if you don't get to the decision maker.  Each time the gatekeeper stops you from reaching the decision maker it costs you MONEY!  Come to this week's forum and learn highly effective techniques that get the job done.

Host:  Umar Hameed, international speaker, author and consultant, and Founder of No Limits Selling and Productivity Cubed.

Sales Pro:  Stacey Lynn Munsell, Senior Account Executive with Baltimore Magazine, former sales manager at Chef's Expressions Catering, and former director of sales and marketing at Planet Hollywood.

 

The Sales Experts Forum will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. At each forum we'll feature a hot sales topic and a lively discussion led by Umar. Sales pros who are at the top of their game will share some of their most effective ideas, techniques, and secrets with you.  In addition to breakfast and networking, you'll get a chance to learn from your peers specific ways to

  • overcome your challenges
  • sharpen your sales strategies
  • improve your performance   

 

When

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM (ET)

Where

Cromwell Valley Park
2002 Cromwell Bridge Road
Baltimore, MD 21234

Hosted By

Productivity Cubed ,Umar Hameed, international speaker, author and consultant, and founder of No Limits Selling and Productivity Cubed. Umar specializes in getting salespeople unstuck so they can make a ton of money and live happier lives.

 

Cromwell Valley Park
2002 Cromwell Bridge Road
Baltimore, MD 21234

 signaturemrome@HomeRome.com 

410-530-2400

 

 

2 commentsMargaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty • October 26 2009 05:30AM

3317 Old Post Drive Pikesville, Md. 21208 4 Car Garage Rancher!

3317 Old Post Drive
Baltimore County
Pikesville/Stevenson 21208


$449,944


4 Bedrooms
2 Full Baths
1 Half Bath

Can you picture yourself in a huge brick rancher with a two car attached carport plus an oversized 3 car garage that actually holds four cars.

 When Is a Three Car Garage Really a Four Car Garage?

Now, back to the main house... sitting on a beautiful level landscaped lot at the corner of Winterset and Old Post..just minutes from Exit 21 of the Baltimore Beltway 695.. such a convenient location. Close but not too close!

This custom, well built mid-century, brick and stone residence has so much to offer that you could call it a ‘forever' house with complete accessibility... no steps, other than the ones leading to the 4th bedroom!

This is a home for entertaining with the long double driveway...parking for lots of guests.

When you drive up, notice the ‘3317' on the brick mailbox custom made for the long time owners.

There are many unique custom features such as a curved wall, stone planter, pocket doors between the family room and dining areas, and a bricked in gas grill in the spacious eat in kitchen.

Need a home office or den? There is a room for you on one side of the kitchen. Another bonus room houses the extra freezer, refrigerator, washer, dryer, large storage area, and has its own door to the covered carport area.

The grand stone fireplace, a focal point of this special residence, can be enjoyed from the living room, dining room, foyer and family room.

 The generous open spaces allow for creative placement of furniture.

The kitchen has a storage wall of custom wood cabinetry, a breakfast area, gas grill, loads of cabinet space, a salad sink with disposal and another deeper sink. Pantries on each side of the oven.

The amount of storage and the design is a functional work of art.

Take a look and you may be asking: "what's behind door # 1, door # 2 etc.

 Do you see the elegant "jewelry" hardware on these doors?

The house is transformed when this "wall" opens for entertaining, giving easy access to the open bar into the kitchen.

The dining area is defined by the elegant fireplace, with matching custom wood, the custom wall of cabinets and the adjacent family room. The owners took a great deal of pride choosing the 'art deco' dining room chandelier.

This entire space is opened by a full wall of glass containing two sets of sliders to the patio areas. Another set of sliders from the large paneled family room, again, give access to the patio, level yard and storage shed.

Abundant storage throughout the home and don't forget about the enormous space, now housing four cars. Completely finished with attic insulation, windows, heat and air conditioning. Not a car enthusiast?...how about using for a studio, office or recreation area. Bet you could come up with many ideas for this separate but close to the house structure.

The three, first floor, bedrooms on the other side of the house, are separated by a door and boast rich dark parquet floors.

Look at the main bath room with double sinks, a slight corner tub and seating area. Check out the custom designed tiles of this delightful home built in 1959.

Stairs leading up to the large fourth bedroom.. measuring 19' x 19'..has a large bright window, walk in closet plus a good old fashioned cedar lined closet. This upstairs space has its own heat and air conditioning.

The master bedroom, with dressing room, mirrored closet with built in drawers and stall shower, has plenty of space for designing the most luxurious bath/spa.

With a bit of TLC, this home could be spectacular again.


Elegant Dining


dining room chandelier


foyer area


notice shelves on fireplace


huge kitchen space


Family room with pocket doors to Dining room


3 Car garage (holds four cars)


Carport with loads of parking space


3rd Bedroom


Master Bedroom


Master Bedroom


View from dining area toward foyer/bedrooms


custom brick mailbox


Front views of brick rancher


Front views of brick rancher


Side Views


Side Views


side view of garage and shed


stone planter


door "jewelry"


What's behind Door # 1 etc.

 


Other side of the doors above


Brick grill in kitchen


Stone fireplace


Living Room-wall of windows


Living area


Yellow Bath


Yellow Bath


Wood floors in 2nd bedroom


Living room

 
email: mrome@homerome.com  
     
14 commentsMargaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty • October 14 2009 05:32AM