Specializing in unique properties, I have come across a favorite home in our Baltimore area...  one that is exceptionally versatile to many different homeowners.Here a few names to describe homes Rancher PlusForever HomeCondo BypassAge-in-place-home And some of the usesIn-law/guest suitesSeparate owner suitesPet friendlyChildren(of all ages) friendly Aux PierreQuarantine areasCamp Grandma/pa,Family retreatMulti-generationalEntertaining inside and out It could be perfect for owners of all ages, sharing a home, extended family, independent living, home offices, and convenient to shopping. Let me describe this beautiful and most versatile property.  There are four bedrooms, an office, and three and a half baths. Two private owner bedroom suites perfect for a blended family, a caretaker, an... 02/03/2021

 A few years ago, I wrote Old REALTORS® never die; they become listless. Just saw some comments about being listless in this solid seller's market. That is not where we want to be if we want to stay in Real Estate. Maybe it's time to go after those unique properties that don't "usually" sell quickly, and you may not have to be listless for long.     Or use your 'too late" and " sold"  listings.     Or advertise for the buyers you do have. But...Don't become listless! Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome    02/02/2021

    Inventory is low, a shortage of homes on the market, and many more buyers are vying for the same properties. Agents are reporting multiple showings at all times of the day and night. They allow appointments to be set up by Showing Time, a great service if used correctly. This is where good real estate can make a difference. As a listing agent, I know who sees my properties, not a flood of showings using a lockbox from early morning until after dark.Of course, we want to make it easy for agents to set online appointments, but I still personally confirm and contact the agent and meet them at the property. Agents around the country say they have dozens of showings and multiple offers in the first few days. Are they bragging or complaining? Buying a house is not a marathon sport that ha... 01/24/2021

Open Sunday 2:15-3:15       1010 Kingston Road Sudbrook Park Pikesville, Md 21208 MLS MDBC516052 Three bedrooms Two Baths   $249,944 Here is a single-family brick home, sitting on a large fenced corner lot in the Sudbrook Park area of Baltimore County.  Want more than a parking pad? There is room for adding a garage. A first-floor bedroom, bath, and the family room could be easily turned back into a fourth bedroom—upstairs two more bedrooms and a second full bath.  An oversized deck is perfect for entertaining friends, family, youngsters, and maybe a puppy or two.   Enjoy being warm and cozy with the woodstove in the living room.   The lower level is wide open, ready to finish, and has its own door to the outside. There is an updated furnace, water heater, and a split AC system. Charmin... 01/23/2021

     When selling a home there can be vast differences between the contract offer price and the actual in-your-pocket number. You need to be aware of this at the time of listing not the time you are signing the offer. And certainly not waiting until the closing date to say “but I thought it would be more!!” Your REALTOR® can give you that approximate bottom line based on a full price offer. From there you can go with the “what if’s”   Some examples:-buyer asks for help with closing costs -a major repair comes up at the inspection -radon elevation -termite treatment if signs of insect activity -sewer, well, and septic concerns  Your bottom line is crucial. You may have heard that  Mrs. Jones two doors down got a lot more but you are only aware of the public sales price. Maybe the neighbo... 01/15/2021

    Reading this post by Bliz reminded me of the big box brokerage I was with for 18 yrs. They did everything to promote the company brand. They advertised your open house at no charge and gave you license plate holders with the company logo.The brokers led us to believe it was the company brand that people were seeking. Here was my listing presentation way back then; it consisted of these three questions -Are you 100% you want to sell-Are you 100% you want to use me-Do you have any questions about my company  Affirmative answers on all three were my criteria for getting a listing agreement signed. Today there are only two questions since it is my company. Being with a large name brokerage gives you brand recognition, but it also ties you in with all the other agents' adverse outcomes. ... 01/14/2021

After being on ActiveRain for so many years and writing over four thousand posts, I thought it was time to go back a few years to see if the information was still relevant. Here is a post from five years ago. But I Thought... How many times have we heard a buyer or seller say: "But I thought__________!''Go ahead and fill in the blank.These words are not something any of us want to hear. This means there is some misunderstanding.Many years ago, after settlement, a buyer had her agent call me asking where the stained glass panel was. Her statement:"But I thought it came with the house, and we want it returned."   The agent, adamant about the art, had her manager call me. Note: the item was a personal piece of art; it hung from a hook over a side door panel. It was not attached. The buyer,... 01/11/2021

  I don't think my properties are the only ones getting this kind of attention. In two days, I received 10 separate phone calls from people wanting to rent one of my homes. As soon as they mentioned 'for rent,' I knew this was a SCAM!  The ad, this time, was on FB; last time, it was CL. It is convincing, and when you call the number or respond, you get this kind of story. They claim to be the property owner, the wife has leukemia, and they need to move to California for her treatment.  It's not about the money; they want good people in the house to take care of the property. The rent for a 4 bedroom brick home is $1,000, and it includes utilities. When it sounds too good to be true....! They are asked to fill out really long forms including all personal information, a list of all family... 01/09/2021

What a lovely way to start the first Sunday of the new year. This email arrived from Bob and Keith this morning.  ''Hi, Margaret:Now that the dust--and funds--have cleared, I wanted to take a moment to send you a big Thank You for our latest transaction. It's a shame you had to sell my house three times in ten months, but I like to make sure you really earn your commission! :)  Plus, it gave me an opportunity to chat with you on your radio show, which was more fun than anyone has a right to have.So this brings the tally up to 2 sold, 3 purchased, and you know I'm not going to guarantee that this was the last one.  I think the next one should have two garage spaces...Again, I thank you for all your hard work and your friendship.  I was trying to decide whether I have a Real Estate Agent ... 01/03/2021

   1010 Kingston RoadSudbrook ParkPikesville, Md 21208MLS MDBC516052What a charming, rarely available, single-family brick cape cod home, sitting on a large fenced corner lot. Check out the paved driveway and a large deck off the family room. This deck is perfect for entertaining or securing your two-legged or your furry four-legged family members.Originally four bedrooms, the first floor has one bedroom, full bath, large open den (was the 2nd bedroom), living room, dining, and kitchen. There's a door to the deck from the family room for ease in entertaining. Enjoy being warm and cozy with this wood stove in the living room. Upstairs has two nice sized bedrooms, a full bath and plenty of storage. The lower level is wide open, ready to finish, and has its own door to the outside. There i... 01/02/2021

 Who’s Watching? Who’s ListeningThere may be a camera or audio system set up to monitor activity inside when showing a house. When getting a listing signed in Maryland, the seller must disclose home security systems that record audio. But whether there is or is not this type of system, it is a good idea to show a house as though you were on camera. There should be nothing done or said inside a home that the seller should not see or hear. Personally, I like my listings with this type of security for the home and me. At the end of a showing, while I am turning the lights off, adjusting the curtains and shades, and checking the thermostat, I call or text the owner that we are leaving, ask if there is anything they want me to check in the house. With some of their systems, they can double-c... 12/29/2020

    Winding up the year, I just realized this is the last advertising for 2020. It's been a challenging but also a good productive year.I am very proud of the list of satisfied buyers and sellers who have trusted me to find their dream home. They have gone through the stress of packing and moving and are now making new memories. Hopefully, they are filling their new home with love! Thinking about buying or selling your homeCall Margaret Rome410-530-2400 12/28/2020

 Looking for a unique funky house in the Pikesville School System. This is the ad I ran many many years ago. The seller's home was under contract and they needed a new one immediately since she was expecting her first child and settlement was getting close. A call, from the above advertisement, was generated saying they had such a home but they were sure this was just another agent looking for listing inventory. My questions began: Where is your home located? Can you describe the layout? How much land? How much do you want? When can you move? I described my buyer, a local celebrity, and I went to visit the property. Walking into the home I knew it was right so I called the buyer and strongly suggested they meet me at the house now! The wife came but no spouse. He was sure the location w... 12/27/2020

 Updating a bathroom may mean replacing a wall section when there are some worn or cracked tiles. Here is a clever idea from a New York traveler who collected some favorite tiles and used them to personalize an older bathroom. This is a bit of creativity that could also be applied in kitchens. There are so many tiles to choose from, and this is an inexpensive solution. Have you seen the tiles used in similar ways? Thinking of selling your homeCall Margaret Rome 410-5302400 12/25/2020

In a week or so, this charming Sudbrook Park home will be on the market. Single-family brick home on a large fenced corner lot has a paved driveway and large deck off the family room. Originally four bedrooms, the first floor has one bedroom, full bath, large open den (was the 2nd bedroom) living room dining and kitchen. Upstairs has two nice sized bedrooms, a full bath and plenty of storage. The lower level is wide open, ready to finish, and has its own door to the outside.For more information on this Sudbrook Park homeCall Margaret Rome410-530-2400    12/23/2020

 As many of you know, I host a live radio show every Sunday at noon. One of the things I continue to do is reach out and call my former clients to reminisce about their transactions. These wonderful people have bought and sold with me and made my life better. Letting them know how much I appreciate working with them is good for us both.Today's guest will be one of my favorite clients. Robert Pope. One of the things I love about Bob is his knowledge about buying and selling. He is up to date, follows the market, knows when new homes come on and when they go under contract. Think I will ask him how he searches. Bob and I have had four transactions. He has bought two properties and sold two properties with me in the past five or six years. He has offered to talk about real estate from the ... 12/20/2020

 We found the right buyer for this Pikesville Townhouse located at16 Lamplighter Ct. Annen Woods 21208    They were waiting for a beautiful brick townhouse condominium in a private location surrounded by lush landscaping in Baltimore County? Take a look at16 Lamplighter Ct. Annen Woods 21208 MLS# MDBC 485792  Enclosed private patio with grill  16 Lamplighter Ct. feels like a separate home but with the convenience of maintenance-free living, outside the gate, of Annen Woods.  The popular community is close enough to walk to Trader Joes', Starbucks, The Essen Room, Ruth's Chris, Life Bridge Health and Fitness, and the Woodholme Shopping Center in Pikesville.Minutes to Wegmans and the 'Gucci' Giant!This two-level brick home has three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a gas fireplace, skylights, and n... 12/18/2020

The perfect buyers had been waiting for this Quarry Lake condo and their patience paid off.We have new owners in this beautiful condo! 7500 Travertine Drive #402Quarry Lake Highlands3 Bedrooms2 Full bathroomsMLS MDBC452098  Click For PhotosandMore About Quarry Lake at Greenspring      Rarely available! Dogwood model is the largest unit in The Highlands with 1900 square feet, three bedrooms, and two baths. There are nine-foot ceilings in this top floor luxury condo and a private balcony off the den. A convenient attached garage accessed from the elevator or the stairs.   With so many windows, I counted fourteen, it's like living in a greenhouse. Enjoy gas heat and gas cooking. Take a look at the granite gourmet kitchen with a breakfast bar, matching granite breakfast table, wood cabinets... 12/13/2020

 The perfect buyers found their dream home and went to settlement this past week.  2117 Burdock RdGreengate 21209MLS #MDBC504412SOLD & SETTLED   Mid Century Modern Design. Great use of space and space planning.A bright, gourmet custom kitchen makes use of every inch: Viking gas cooktop, double ovens plus a warming drawer, granite counters, and backsplash.   A disappearing wall of sliding glass opens into the curved wall Sunroom addition, with a second kitchen and room for a hot tub. Sixteen-foot ceiling with seven skylights and half penny tile flooring... this is a terrific space!  Originally four-bedrooms, now three since the master is a two-room suite with a luxury marble bath, heated floors, and walk-in dressing room and closet.   A dream lower level could be a separate apartment, ho... 12/12/2020

   We found the right buyer for this Pikesville Townhouse located at 16 Lamplighter Ct. Annen Woods 21208    They were waiting for a beautiful brick townhouse condominium in a private location surrounded by lush landscaping in Baltimore County? Take a look at16 Lamplighter Ct. Annen Woods 21208 MLS# MDBC 485792$231,944  Enclosed private patio with grill  16 Lamplighter Ct. feels like a separate home but with the convenience of maintenance-free living, outside the gate, of Annen Woods.  The popular community is close enough to walk to Trader Joes', Starbucks, The Essen Room, Ruth's Chris, Life Bridge Health and Fitness, and the Woodholme Shopping Center in Pikesville.Minutes to Wegmans and the 'Gucci' Giant!This two-level brick home has three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a gas fireplace, skyli... 11/19/2020