Margaret Rome's Blog

With almost 300,000 points, you would guess that I've been blogging for a while. So why would I go to a session on blogging that was aimed at beginning bloggers? Because I always learn something.

This was the third in a series of Lunch and Learn sessions on social media presented by Leah Messina of Sinuate Media for our Baltimore Regional Chapter of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners.) Leah did a great job on the Facebook and Twitter sessions, and I wasn't disappointed with her presentation on blogging.

She covered the basics, of course – why you would want to blog for your business, choosing a blogging platform, figuring out what to say, and so forth. Leah showed us how to work with outside sources to improve our blog content, and also how to follow what's happening in our focus area with tools like Google Alerts, Digg, Technorati, and others. She reminded us that search engines love blogs for their frequent updates and new content. Since I started blogging just a few years ago, so much has changed. More options of platforms, specialized blog platforms like Active Rain, and the ability to embed audio and video.

As usual for these sessions, it was a full house. Kudos to NAWBO for creating this series of seminars. With so much to do every day in running our businesses, it's a great help to have well organized and informative sessions that give us tips we can put to work right away. And we get to network and eat lunch at the same time – multitasking!

Here's your bonus – Leah's presentation, which includes using Facebook in your business, is here: http://tinyurl.com/lgjnw7.

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

I like certain numbers – you know that by now. There's my 944, and I love the growing numbers on Active Rain – we recently hit 150,000 members! It seems like just yesterday we celebrated 1,000 then 10,000, then 100,000.

There are many people with many more points than I have, but I'm still proud that I'm almost at 300,000 points and I have invited 125 members.

It is July 2009 and I have hit 300,000 points. Now I can go join Neal Bloom's Platinum Group!

But my favorite number? You guessed it. Today Lee and I celebrate our 15,000th day anniversary. We celebrate every day, but those big round numbers are extra special

Here's to many thousands more for all of us!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

Yesterday I listened in on a conference call, Q&A with Broker Bryant, hosted by Jennifer Allan. It is such a pleasure to “go to” a seminar and never leave your home. The connection was clear and it went flawlessly – if you've attended teleseminars, you know that's quite an accomplishment. Jennifer had us all on mute but everyone could post questions to “stump BB.”

Bryant began by sharing some of his background, including that he started out investing in his twenties. He has also been a waiter, a taxi driver, a door-to-door salesman, and then had a company with TLW called Holiday Makers doing short-term rentals for Disney. That led to selling vacation homes.

BB, like me, has always been a listing agent; he does not like working with and schlepping buyers around. (His words: "I get queasy when I have to take buyers out.") We do business a bit alike; you might remember that I have a two-door door car so I can't drive buyers around. We both use a waiting list, too – something he mentioned that he learned from me.

The important thing to know about Bryant... he really has his hand on the pulse of the market. He saw the downturn before most of us. He has hired buyer’s agents, he is selling foreclosures, and he has become an expert in short sales. Bryant fielded numerous questions from the listening audience and talked about some of the myths in doing short sales..he listed three: 

1. A short sale will not affect your credit,
2. The agent's commission will always be cut
3. They never settle.

Bryant was asked what his definition of success was: He answered, “…not being stressed out, spending time with TLW, finding peace, finding joy. Success is not equated with money.”  And what is your secret to success? Of course TLW chimed in with, “ME!" Asked what motivates him, BB said, “Taking care of TLW, making sure she does not have to go to work." It's clear that Bryant is loving real estate, loving what he does each day. You can hear the love and support between these two.

Congratulations to both Broker Bryant and Jennifer Allan – they did a terrific job and made it both fun and informative. I had to leave for a listing appointment so I didn't get to hear all of the call, or the lucky winners of the contests they had. But here's a bonus – Jennifer sent out a link with these instructions:

"Here is the recording to the show (it works best if you right click the link and select "Save Target As" and save it to your computer): http://www.xtreak.com/go/jenniferallan/157121/BB_Seminar.zip. (if that one doesn't work on your computer, try this one: http://www.xtreak.com/go/jenniferallan/157120/BB_Recording_edited.mp3)"

On August 1st I will be a guest with Jennifer Allan, so there's more fun ahead.

PS. I did get the listing and will be posting on Active Rain shortly.

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

There was a wonderful out town buyer who found me through the Internet, all the way from the British Virgin Islands! She has been looking for several months for a home, a condo in Baltimore, Maryland, for her 18-year-old daughter who will be attending the University of Baltimore. She loved one of my condos at 6210 Park Heights and wanted to put in an offer sight unseen. Nope, I could not do that - sometimes photos look better than the real thing.

So a couple of Fridays ago she flew in.... we spent hours getting to know each other, the condo unit she thought she wanted, and also another in the same building. There were similarities in both units but also a price difference - one in original condition, the other in move-in condition with updated baths, kitchen, carpet, appliances, etc.

We found there was a tremendous connection between all of us...the mother, the daughter, the uncle who lives in Maryland and wants to make sure his niece is "taken care of," and me. There was so much to talk about - where will she shop, what are the bus routes, what about safety, the security of the building, and the neighborhood? They had done lots of research and had lots of questions, but I could answer some of those questions before they were even asked – another benefit of knowing the area for years. 

And when we were done, yes, they decided to make an offer, but not on the unit they came to see, but the second one instead. Strathmore Towers 6210 Park Heights Ave #701 Baltimore, Maryland 21215

As we parted later in the evening, I told her I had a gift for her…my book already in a gift bag. Then she said, "I have a present for you." She bought it in the islands, did not know why, but felt she “had” to get it, and it was for me. She seemed almost embarrassed as she presented me with the absolute perfect gift. Remember, we had never met. And out comes a BROWN pocketbook made of coconut SQUARES! How would she have known how to pick the perfect object, perfect shape, perfect color? All the things I love - it's brown, it has squares, it is made of natural material (coconut shells), and it is the same size as my book. It was made for me!

In such a short time... with the help of the Internet, email, phone, and finally face-to-face, we made a very very special connection.

.............Wait.....there's more........

When I wrote to this wonderful lady and asked permission to post her story, she not only approved but added her own wonderful comments:

 This is her email that I am going to share in it's entirety:

"Margaret,

You have me blushing all over .... the map of the BVI, the Strathmore Building, the beautiful brown purse and the amazing story!!!!  Well, look how things were unfolding. It is just amazing to meet you, a powerful lady with lots of charm.   You have my permission to post this amazing story. 

There are just a few little details that you can propably insert in the story. It is written in third person. The buyer for #701 said that she was first attracted to my website because I, Margaret Rome took the time to carefully showcase the properties and she thought that my website was done professionally.  She also said that was what really singled out the HomeRome Website from the others!   She also stated that she felt that  I was appealing to her as a buyer with lots of information about the properties and plenty of pictures to help narrow down her search.  She confirmed that I was the only realtor that  she contacted from among the many, many websites that she researched.


The story does not end with what you wrote.  The other amazing part just seems to blow my buyer away by the very thought of it is that the owner for the first condo she visited heard me talk about how my buyer and I met.  Did you know that he is proposing to pass on his beautiful furniture that is used to stage his condo to my new friend although he had never met my buyer.  How amazing! 

Margaret, this is a compelling story to show how rewarding your profession can be.  You meet all types of people, other linger around you for a reason or for a season, and others are just amazing people. 

Continue to shine.

Marva"

Connections can start on the internet...become special and so much more!

Special Connections in Baltimore,Md...From Internet to Inter-Personal ...And More!

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

Now I am really happy!  Two very special people..both my friends... what  pleasure getting you together. Think it was better than a matchmaker. I adore you both!

Tim, I was honored to be one to preview your future best seller, Create a Great Deal    Can't wait to get my hands on the finished masterpiece. Love your writing, you wisdom, your message, your manner of teaching, your kindness...and a fabulous book for all of us to read!

Congratulations to you both.

I remember the day 12/18/2008 when my books were delivered..your smile says it all.

Palm Pre...Definitely Worth the Wait in Baltimore,Md.

Any one who knows me knows that I am a Palm person, starting way back with the Palm V. Loved learning how to use that first PDA. I have moved up to the Palm 700P but knew my time was limited, hoping that my trusty Treo could hold up until the Palm Pre arrived. It did!

I was standing in line at the Sprint store that Saturday morning before 7:30AM with Dick Betts; the only difference was that he was in Florida and I was in Maryland. This little bit of distance did not stop either one of us from texting and updating about the phone. I was number 14 in line in Baltimore and he was number 16 in Ocala. Michael and Yvonne at the Sprint store helped with that early morning rush. I found out that the Palm Pre...Definitely Worth the Wait-Baltimore,Md.

When I first touched the display phone I texted Dick saying it was going to take some time to get used to using the QWERTY keyboard because the keys were even smaller than my Treo. But as soon as I got my hands on this sweet little beauty I found I could use my nails for the keys - yeah, I do love that. (I've always used my fingernails and never the stylus, and the the Pre does not use a stylus so I didn't have to unlearn that.)

I am envious that  Dick had the luxury of spending unlimited time with his new Pre. I had to show properties and sell a couple of condos, attend an all day class, meet with my publisher, write an offer, attend a funeral, set up home inspections, etc. I need to spend lots more time on my new toy, but I love it so far. Can't wait to read Dick's website with Tips and Tricks for this new tool - hope he will hurry up so I can have the benefit of all this learning! 

With over 7000 contacts it took awhile to transfer the data to the new Pre. We did this in the Sprint store, or so I thought, but found out later that only my facebook contacts transferred over. And in the process I discovered a neat feature of the new Pre - the usb cable is part of the wall charger!         

Using this cable is how we finally transferred the data.... we used the old hot sync from the TREO then placed the data on a newer computer and then transferring to the new phone.

Still have a lot to learn, but I'm loving this new Palm Pre. I'm also sold on the quality and sound.... the reception is so much better. No "dead" spots in my home or neighborhood.

Palm Pre...Definitely Worth the Wait in Baltimore,Md.

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

It was late on Tuesday after a wonderfully long day, one of those very hot and humid Baltimore days. I had an appointment to show my listing at 3408 Terrapin Rd, parked my car in the driveway and went to open the house. You know - open the shades, turn on all the lights - all that typical stuff we agents do to ready a home for visitors. Suddenly I heard the wind kick up and watched as the sky turned that threatening dark that means a serious storm is brewing. I ran back out to the driveway to move my car under the carport - you remember that special car? – I did not want any dents!

Ran back in the house just in time before the noise and excitement began. Have you ever  heard hail in a storm on a skylight? 

Looking out the big windows of this contemporary home I watched as heavy hail pelted the ground. Grabbed my camera just in time to see this quick quirk of nature cover the in-ground pool cover with ice balls. These photos are of the actual rain/hail/wind storm – they are blurry not because I was shaking, but because it was coming down so fast and hard!

A few minutes later all was calm and quiet. The ice melted in the afternoon heat, and a beautiful cool breeze came up for the drive home. A nice reward after a long and (briefly) exciting day.

Yes there really was Ice on the Pool...in June -Baltimore, Maryland

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400