Hands of a Pianist Erica Rome

I am one lucky mom!  This past week I had the privilege of watching my beautiful talented daughter play Gilbert and Sullivan on her grand piano? 

When Is a Dining Room Not a Dining Room? 

 

There were 25 -30 G & S singers from several states who came together with this music in common. It is all day of singing and laughing and lots of fun. Erica has organized several of these gatherings and is also the accompanist. I admire her amazing talent and skills.  

  Love to watch her play. Love to hear her music.

                                                                 
                              
                               

 It was fun having my iPad downloaded with the music of Gilbert and Sullivan so I could follow the words and enjoy this talented group of singers and musicians.

                                                    
                                           

Thank you,Erica, for inviting Dad and I to join your party!

                                                           

'I Like It Like That' ... by Hot Chelle Rae Went Platinum Today!

' I Like It Like That' ... by Hot Chelle Rae Went Platinum Today

 Recently wrote a post Share the Music Lady's Excitement!   This was exciting for a teacher to have one of her students be part of a Jeopardy question.

 Quite a few years ago I listed and sold  Sam and Anita's home and helped them purchase their dream home. We have kept in touch and these special clients have also become good friends. These are the same giving people who started Kids Helping Hopkins! 

                              

 Today I received an email from my friend Anita Rozenel letting me know even more wonderful news about her former student Dan Block. Take a look at her email...

 

"Hi!!   Please allow me to share some more exciting news with you....     Just read a Facebook post from former Hernwood student Dan Book....  His song, "I Like it Like That", recorded by Hot Chelle Rae, went PLATINUM today!!! I may be an "oldie but goodie" music lady, but I must tell you that this song rocks....it is fabulous, and obviously 1,000,000+ thought the same thing and bought enough copies to make it Platinum!!!   The group won Best New Artist at American Music Awards.......Congrats to Dan, his co-writers/producers, and the group....THANK YOU for letting me share this..... Think  I'm gonna burst!!!  Take care!   Love, Anita"

It is such a treat to share the happiness of others.

' I Like It Like That' ... by Hot Chelle Rae Went Platinum Today.

Maybe the Rome Way is the Right Way

What a lovely way to start the day. Tom, who is a General Contractor writes a really good blog. He writes with humor and facts and we are able to learn so much from this professional's expertise.
Do yourself a favor and follow Tom's  posts. At the very bottom is a list of his recent posts..take a moment to check them out.
Thank you Tom for taking time to share Maybe the Rome Way is the Right Way with ActiveRain!

Via Tom Arstingstall - Dry Rot, Water Damage General Contractor in Sacramento (Dry Rot and Water Damage in Sacramento ):

Maybe the Rome Way is the Right Way

As a General Contractor, I find that I can learn from those of you in the Real Estate Industry. This includes publications on how to market your properties, branding yourself, and tech savvy. Many of the things that your industry uses can be applied to other trades, so I like to read about what you do.

Recently, I was reading through a few posts by Margaret Rome and the corresponding comments. I heard Margaret mention something about the “Rome Way”. A little later I read something that she had commented on that mentioned her book, “Real Estate the Right Rome Way”. I like the things that she writes, so I asked where the book could be purchased. In her own “Rome Way”, she said that she would mail me one.

Sure enough, the book arrived in the mail this weekend. As if that weren’t enough, she included a hand-written note inside the front cover. How special is that? The personal touch sure made an impact on me, that is certain. I couldn’t wait to get started. Looking at the Table of Content, there were topics like Type E Personality, Brand Building, Marketing Matters, and much more. This is going to be something that I may be able to apply to my business.

The book appears to be written in a clean, friendly language that a contractor could understand. I’m looking forward to diving in deeper soon.

There was one more thing. Margaret included a business card size magnifier; she must  think that I need help in reading clearly.  J

Thanks Margaret for the book, and an early example of Real Estate the Right Rome Way

I’m looking for a few brave souls. 

Related Posts: 

 

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Me? An Expert Witness? Thanks AR 

Your bathroom smells funny!

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Nothing sticks out like a bad wall repair.

A New TV Won't Fit In The Wall Cabinet - Change It!

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You wanna hire me as your contractor, let me do my job.

How much is it going to cost to repair the water damage in my home?

 

Specialists in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repairs

Tom Arstingstall Tromler Construction General Contractor Specializing in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repairs 916-765-5366 Water Damage Repair in Sacramento Dry Rot Repair Contractor in Sacramento E-mail Contact

         

Yes, I Really Have the Buyers!

Yes, I really have the buyers!  Finding the Right House is Like a Love Affair.

Being Valentine's Day this is a good time to talk about love!

I am working with special buyers who are looking for the perfect home. Mr. Buyer wants to surprise his wife and here is his partial wish list. He wants a  gated community, some acreage, the bigger the master bedroom, the better. He 'lives' in the bedroom and wants it outfitted with everything from the big TV to the refrigerator And she wants a luxury bath...sort of like these special ' little' bathrooms. 

If possible a huge rancher but if not..a home with an elevator. Of course a pool indoors or out would be nice. The more unusual the home the better...so no   Clone-onials for this couple.

 

                                  

 I have found that finding the right home is more like a love affair. We describe the perfect mate..height, build, education, background, type of music, similar views and then... we are hit with Mr. or Mrs. Right who does not fit our idea of that perfect mate.

When the chemistry is there, nothing else matters. Boom we have found our soul mate!

I use this analogy when working with buyers. Of course I ask for their written wish list..however I will be open for the right buying signals and asking the right questions.

Other agents have told this couple they are unreasonable..they will never get everything...they are just asking for too much.

I think this will be a fun challenge..just glad they are not my only clients.

I will make up a batch of these statements  for the buyers to keep in their car.

                             ======================

"Dear Home Owner, Our family would like to live in this neighborhood.

We like your home and if you are thinking of selling, please contact our real estate agent:

Margaret Rome at 410-530-2400

mrome@homerome.com 

  All calls are confidential.”  

                             =======================

When they see a home they like, they can slip this note into the mailbox or front door. I instruct them to let me know which homes they are interested in so I can be prepared when the call comes in. I can do the research in advance – how much it is assessed for, how long the present owner has lived there, taxes, comps etc.

Why wait for the perfect home to come on the market? Anyone can wait for a home to show up in the MLS. Be proactive!

These days, some sellers may be holding back, thinking they will wait until the market gets better. Just because it’s not in the MLS, don’t assume a home isn’t for sale – especially if it seems like the perfect home for your buyers.

 

Finding the right house is a lot like finding the right soul mate! You may not know it until you actually meet.

Yes, I Really Have the Buyers!

Do Not Show the Toilet...Unless It's a Royal Flush!

                 Do Not Show the Toilet...Unless It's a Royal Flush!

                  

We have talked about not showing photos of the toilet in our MLS. That's a no no. No one wants to see the inner workings of your bathroom. There is a time when we do need to share this information. That is when the owner has put in high end Japanese toilets found in luxury homes. There is news about celebrities installing Toto toilets so I guess if national news can report on this subject so can we.

The property at 1 Clipping Tree Lane   has Toto toilets, not in one but in all four bathrooms! Just google Toto and you will see that out of 1200 reviews, it is the best by far..maybe also the most expensive.

I just read a post by Cameron  The Buyer Walked Because The Toilets Weren't Just Right???  and I thought...please bring those buyers to my new listing. We have the right ones and ...they all  have elongated quiet closing seats.

                                 

I did some research by just googling Toto.  ''Sure, toilets pretty much all look alike, but based on the research we found, they don't all perform alike. We examined tests of toilets at Consumer Reports, but research done by the Alliance for Water Efficiency really blew us away; these folks have tested more than 1,200 toilet brands and models with simulated waste.....''. The first toilet listed was a Toto....Owners say the flush is quiet and the seat closes slowly so there's no annoying clanking sound.

Do Not Show the Toilet...Unless It's a Royal Flush!

My Sellers Made This For Me! Top 10 Reasons to Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

My Sellers Made This For Me !! Top 10 Reasons to Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome.

For anyone who thinks they are too busy to blog, this could be the results of your efforts. My wonderful clients and now friends sent this to me yesterday. Of course I have been too busy with  An Impromtu Open House  to post until now.

Do I have the best sellers or what?

Thank you Daniel Simpson and Jimmy Waites for taking time to put this together. I could not think of a better gift or one that I would appreciate more!

Since you are so creative, I am going to send you an invitation to ActiveRain and the gift of blogging.

 

My sellers made this for me!

We Had An Impromtu Open House At 1 Clipping Tree Lane-Greencroft

  We Had An Impromtu Open House at

1 Clipping Tree Lane-Greencroft-Hunt Valley 21030

                               

When I have scheduled showings at one of my listings, I will set up an impromptu open house. That's what we did on Sunday.

We had lots of visitors at 1 Clipping Tree Lane in Greencroft to see this exciting custom built brick, stone and cedar five bedroom two story contemporary. This 2.15 acre lot   has the right combination of lawn, landscaping and wooded areas.

Six skylights and loads of over sized Pella windows allow light to shine into this custom Griffith-Brilhart home with high ceilings. This home has it all from the three door side loading garage to the gourmet kitchen with an abundant amount of cherry cabinets. Offered at $649,944

Agents, please let me know when your buyers would like to view this contemporary beaty. You will be honored!

Directions: I-83 to Shawan Rd > Turn right onto Cuba Road (Enter the private community of Greencroft) Right onto Greencroft Lane> Right on 1 Clipping Tree Lane.  Look for this OPEN HOUSE SIGN.                                                            

                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Being featured as the Open House Master by Realtor Magazine, I still feel the traditional open house is more beneficial for the agent than for the seller.  I really enjoy doing unusual Open Houses...Opens that bring attention to the property like these:

-Realtor Magazine's Open House Master Video is Here!

- When will there be a Baltimore Open House? When would you like it open?

 -Wednesday Night Open House..Are You Kidding Me?                                ---------------------------------------------------

We Had An Impromtu Open House at 1 Clipping Tree Lane-Greencroft- 21030.

BSO Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Tony DeSare... Sweets for Valentine's Day

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Principal Pops conductor, Jack Everly, led  A BSO  Valentine performance with Tony DeSare a young singer, pianist and song writer. 

We were lucky enough to attend tonight's performance.  The crowd, light due to the weather forecast, enjoyed the performance and gave a standing ovation.

Introduced and sitting in the front row were the Anaheims, a Baltimore couple married for 42 years who won the BSO competition and received a private concert by Tony DeSare.  Dan Anaheim  surprised his wife Bobbe at work.

Many familiar songs like That Old Black Magic, Kiss, I love a Piano and Autumn Leaves were performed by the BSO and DeSare. Even though it was a Valentine concert... My Funny Valentine was skipped.

   

After the concert Tony DeSare was signing CDs and outside the symphony hall, Midnight Confection's Cupcakery was indulging the crowd with complimentary mini cupcakes. Sweets just for Valentine's Day.

Real Estate Is A Bit Like a Game of Poker! ”It takes minutes to learn the game and a lifetime to master it.”

 

                                    

Real Estate Is A Bit Like a Game of Poker!  ”It takes minutes to learn the game and a lifetime to master it.”  It's true of poker, and I think it is also true of real estate. It takes a very short time to take the real estate class and pass the exam. Yes, you are an agent but how long does it take you to learn the profession?

                                                     

Many  buyers and sellers decide to go into real estate after their own transaction. They think 'So much money for doing so little'. I  have been asked for help with mentoring, leads, coaching, technology tips, what classes to take and what tools to use.  I give this advice freely. An agent today asked how to get a broker's license..he wants to run his business like me. Dozens of clients  have gotten their real estate licenses because I make it look so easy.

                                                                          

Many times I meet these agents in classes where I am speaking or attending. They are surprised. Why is an established agent still going to these seminars?  Too often, they just don't get it.   Making it look "easy" takes years of practice and experience along with continual learning.

How many of these former clients have made a success in real estate? How many have even made it through the first year? How many have had to sell the house that I helped them buy within that first year? How many have gone back to their "real" jobs?  How many have blamed the economy and the declining market? How many have said this was the wrong time to start real estate?    I think you can guess.

These new agents take the classes, pass the exam, get a business card, sign up with an agency, get a custom logo, have a website designed, make up  a catchy email address and even get that latest smart phone. They may even pick a special number. They do all the things an agent "should" do!

But no matter what 'golly gee' technology or sure-fire lead system is implemented,  there is  nothing like good old, roll up your sleeves experience. It takes time and effort to acquire the skills, techniques and knowledge. 

Keep doing the right thing, taking care of your buyer or your seller one deal at a time.  Learn from each transaction and you will  see dividends in loyal clients, respect from your peers, repeat business,  a waiting List and income that reflects all that hard work.

Real Estate Is A Bit Like a Game of Poker!  ”It takes minutes to learn the game and a lifetime to master it.”

2 Story Contemporary-1 Clipping Tree Lane-Greencroft-Hunt Valley 21030

1 Clipping Tree Lane
Greencroft
21130
5 Bedrooms
3 Full Baths
1 Half Bath
$649,944

Greencroft remains one of the most beautiful areas in Hunt Valley. One Clipping Tree Lane is one of only 88 homes in this exclusive neighborhood.

Rarely available...this exciting custom built brick, stone and cedar five bedroom two story contemporary on a 2.15 acre lot has the right combination of lawn, landscaping and wooded areas.

Six skylights and loads of over sized Pella windows allow light to shine into this custom Griffith-Brilhart home with high ceilings.

This home has it all from the three door side loading garage to the gourmet kitchen with an abundant amount of cherry cabinets.

 Check out the three door refrigerator, the triple sink, the fitted spice rack in the drawer next to cook top, the large island, the planning desk, the area for the TV and the sliders leading to the deck where you can enjoy the birds and the changing seasons while overlooking your natural private wooded lot.

There is a light filled family room adjacent to the kitchen and both these areas, plus the formal dining room and two story foyer, have beautiful wood floors. A southern exposure absorbs heat in winter and  gives shaded comfort in the summer.

Convenient first floor laundry with mud room is next to the over sized 3 door garage.

Wood burning stacked stone fireplace in the living room keeps the house toasty warm with the custom insert.

The owners have buried a 1200 gallon propane tank for comfortable living and installed an 80 gallon super efficient hot water heater.

Master bedroom has high ceilings, large windows, a luxury bath with separate shower, a Jacuzzi with skylight and of course lots of closet space. There is instant hot water for the sink so no waiting for warm water ever!

 There are four new toilets and all are TOTOs.

The lower level is the perfect man cave! There is a 30 x 26 recreation room, another bedroom with walk in closet and and adjoining  full bath, room for a workshop, a wet bar with glass rack, a wood burning fireplace(with insert), big bright windows plus sliding glass doors to the yard.

This serene community is filled with friendly neighbors and activities for children and adults. There is tons of open space, a children's play group, a women's club, a community pool... all this for a modest $1400 a year association dues and the privilege of living in Greencroft.

For more information and to set up your private tour, just call me 410-530-2400.