Open Sunday 2:30-3:307906 Stevenson RdPikesville 212084 Bedrooms 3 1/2  BathsMDBC515374  This could be your perfect Baltimore Home.   This Stevenson home has two primary owner suites on the first floor, each with a private bath and plenty of storage. Never will you have to share your bath with anyone.The first floor also has a new powder room and separate den or office perfect for company and entertaining. But that is not all. Upstairs are two large bedrooms and another full bath plus a huge storage room. This space could also be for the future when one person needs home care or space for a separate office, boomerang, or visiting grandkids. Enjoy the granite eat-in kitchen, first-floor laundry, bright living room, fireplace, and dining room. Take a look at 7906 Stevenson Rd. It's conven... 04/16/2021

8304 Prairie Rose PlaceVillages Of WoodholmeMLS MDBC525262$379,944 It’s not too big, and it’s not too small. It is in a 55+ community, including pool, tennis, and clubhouse. And the monthly fee covers outside maintenance, the roof, all lawn care, and snow removal, including the driveway into your garage.     Click to see more photos of 8304 Prairie Rose Place. The primary bedroom suite, along with the laundry, is conveniently located on the first floor. A sunroom, deck, and open granite island kitchen overlook privacy and the beauty of our changing seasons. Vaulted ceilings and skylights are a bonus in the living and dining area with hardwood floors.Upstairs, two more bedrooms, a full bath, and a loft ... perfect for guests, family visits, home office, and studios.There’s more.The finis... 04/15/2021

 Busy, overworked, too much to do, six files ahead of yours, there's a pandemic, the process is slow due to COVID, it's the end of the month! Emails, texts, and calls are not being answered. Getting auto email responses or voice mail is full. And one of my favorites: " It's not my fault; my assistant was supposed to do that."Another new one for me: "I only check emails once a day; my admin person will let me know if anything is important enough for my attention."I need a showing before the Open House; it is not a convenient time. And: "Good Morning! I have six files ahead of this one, I am working on files closing 4/15 right now, so I can get to this file today or tomorrow." ( I received the above email a week ago for a closing 4/16!) Is it possible you are using these as excuses!  In j... 04/11/2021

Many people in Baltimore are trying to decide whether to sell their home but are not ready to go to a 55 plus community, move to a condo, or some other adult living type. Baltimore has a minimal supply of properties and very few choices!  Unlike other big cities, we do not have a selection of patio homes, communities of ranchers with garages, or even homes that are accessible. The baby boomers do not want any assistance. They do not want the closeness of condo living, and they do not want the monthly fees.They do not want the maintenance of a great big house, but they want an easier living style.  They want fewer steps and space for that gourmet kitchen, family gatherings, guests, and grandkids.  What to do?There is another choice. Look at this home with all the advantages but not the l... 04/06/2021

  Picture yourself living here! Many details are in this single-family home on a private lot with wooded views. I thought it would be good to share the photos via slideshow rather than tell you about the significant upgrades and features.Any information will be easy to see with just the touch of the triangle 'play' button above.                         Custom details include the staircase, wood floors, gazebo, and media room kitchen.   For more information on this homeCall Margaret Rome   03/29/2021

How much time do you spend with a potential client before you meet with them? Qualifying someone who wants to sell their home is important. We can gain so much Information before touring their house. This past week, I was out on several listing appointments and spoke with several more people thinking about selling. Gathering information is essential. If you don't know what the person's wants and needs are...how in the world can you help them. Yesterday, I had a relative call about a family member. They were interviewing me to see if I was a good fit.  No matter how close you are to a relative, your needs are different—my suggestion to meet and have a conversation. Instead, I called the potential seller. We spent well over an hour asking each other questions. My questions: Why do you wan... 03/27/2021

Another happy buyer.   This property is a lovely spacious, over 1500 square foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo in the 21209 area of Baltimore County. Our contract, written fourteen days ago, settled today. This second-level unit has a fireplace and sliding glass doors to the balcony overlooking wooded views. What a pleasure handing the new buyer the keys.If you want "sold" on your homeCall Margaret Rome      03/24/2021

My friends are in their perfect home built almost 17 years ago, totally custom-built with every perfect detail for their lifestyle, hobbies, entertaining, and so much attention to detail.  Planning to make this their forever home, the luxury upgrades and extras were added for their enjoyment. They did not worry about over-improving! It was their "forever" home, and they were not concerned with resale value. Loving your home, making it perfect for yourself and those most important in your life is what homeownership is all about. But no matter how you plan... things happen. Two years ago, they welcomed their perfect grandchild into their loving home and wanted to spend as much time as possible with the extended family. After all, the house with three finished levels had plenty of room.  W... 03/23/2021

If it's Sunday and it's noon, you can listen to ALL ABOUT REAL ESTATE live radio with Margaret Rome. Each week, I enjoy being the host and talking about anything related to Real Estate. So many topics to choose from. Of course, I will talk about my current listings giving them maximum exposure.  Today some of my topics included:-My one-hour open house at 7906 Stevenson Rd 21208 at 2:30.-A list of half a dozen properties that I have specific buyers for.-The three settlements that closed this week.-Using one or more agents.-A couple of listings are coming on the market in a few weeks.-Multi-gen houses.-Improving the value of your home.-Condo vs. HOA vs. Single-family homes with no association rules.-Relieving stress by buying the rental you are occupying. Before I knew it, the hour was ov... 03/21/2021

You are renting and need to move! There is a shortage of houses, and the ones that come on the market have multiple offers at inflated prices, what can you do?Here is one way, and it not for everyone! Working with a buyer who is now renting, they are given a few weeks to vacate. The landlord will not renew and wants to put the rental property on the market for sale.    We have been running around for weeks, making offers on new listings, getting “beat” out of homes that we don’t even love! The stress level is high!One Solution:Contact the landlord to sell this rental now before it goes on MLS. Purchase the rental As-Is, 2-week closing, and tenant stays in place.   Write the offer and secure this property. Note the tenant is the buyer. Now, this buyer is not under this high pressure to b... 03/20/2021

                                                                           1010 Kingston Road Sudbrook Park Pikesville, Md 21208 MLS MDBC516052 Three bedrooms Two Baths     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, wate... 03/19/2021

 7906 Stevenson Rd 21208MLS #MDBC515374Sunday Open2:30-3:30 Please click below to see photos7906 Stevenson Rd 21208   There are four bedrooms, three and a half baths. Two owner suites with full baths are on the first floor with no steps. There is a den/office/yoga room that could easily be a fifth bedroom also on the first floor.Upstairs are two large bedrooms with a full bath and plenty of storage. Wonderfully large living and dining room has a wood-burning fireplace and access to the rear patio and fenced yard. Gourmet eat-in granite kitchen, breakfast bar, stainless appliances, and gas cooking. Convenient first-floor laundry is adjacent to the kitchen and access to the two-car garage.It is such an ideal location, minutes to Baltimore Beltway, Trader Joe's, LifeBridge, Woodholme Shopp... 03/14/2021

 Most of our important clocks change to Daylight Savings Time by themselves. The time changes at TWO AM Sunday, March 14th  We all remember the phrase "Spring forward, Fall back" which reminds us how Daylight Saving Time affects all our time-telling devices.There are still some that have to be manually changed like our wall clocks,  watches, older car clocks, and few other things we might miss for a few weeks. Today is the second Sunday in March and we "Spring Forward" at 2 a.m.Please don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour.It is a good idea to remind Sunday appointments of the time change.                                            Changing these devices will ensure that I will be on time for my 12-noon radio show.                         This isn't a reminder to spring forward ... 03/13/2021

As a solo broker and mainly a listing agent, I have buyers ready to purchase immediately. Frustrating to watch the disappointment of multiple offers and not even to have a chance to bid because of the short supply of homes in our Baltimore area. The stress level on buyers is exceptionally high, and in turn, the agents are also feeling this pressure. We need to be pro-active in finding properties for buyers that are ready now. It is necessary to do a bit more than waiting for listings to hit the MLS.  Being proactive in finding homes by doing the following -Writing blogs like, I have buyers for your Baltimore home,-Announcing the properties for buyers on my weekly radio show,-Continuing to search the latest listings.-Contact other agents to let them know the homes I need.-Other REALTORS®... 02/24/2021

   There was a member who talked about making crossword puzzles and using them for marketing properties. So today, I decided to try one for a  listing. Hours, not minutes, were spent! Did I need to do this? Did I want to give it a try? Was it fun? Was it just because it was new? Don't know if I will use this, but at least I did finish. I thought it would be an excellent prop for a stager to use. They could be in a picture frame or used as a novelty gift. Would you use them? And if so, how? Answers to the above puzzle  Think I just needed a diversion.Maybe the weather this morning with more snow, freezing rain, and a 7 AM home inspection. Perhaps it was a challenging phone call from a kindness impaired person. Maybe some sad news from a colleague.Time to turn it all off for the evening. ... 02/22/2021

  1010 Kingston RoadSudbrook ParkPikesville, Md 21208MLS MDBC516052This 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 is a new ... 02/20/2021

 It won't be long before this forever home hits the market. A tiny bit of teasing is in order since it's too soon to give you full details on this four-bedroom home with three and a half baths.   The photos above show the new fireplace doors, a square sink in the powder room with dark bronze fixtures, and an oval mirror. There's a rain shower with vertical tile accents in the master shower and a modern new tub. The French doors lead out to a patio and fenced yard making this home pet-friendly.It may be a little too soon for the MLS, but it's not too soon for a bit of teasing.Interested in a move-in ready 'Rancher Plus' with a two-car garage and two master suites on the main level?Want to hear more about this home?Call Margaret Rome   02/17/2021

A caller on my radio show yesterday inspired this post. She was a former client who was not happy with a chimney company that had given some incorrect advice. My suggestion with any contractor or service company is to get good referrals.  Most people love the look and feel of a fireplace and the ambiance and warmth associated with a burning fire. Many buyers have this on their must-have list.But don't forget the maintenance. If you use it, have it cleaned. And if you are not a DIY kind of person, hire a professional. Soot and creosote build-up needs removal. If the chimney is masonry or metal, check for cracks. Check the chimney caps' condition, which keeps the water out, and side screens that block the critters. Make sure nothing is blocking the opening, which can happen when not in us... 02/08/2021

The snow is gorgeous, no doubt! But it does play havoc with coordinating real estate activities. Just like all homes are not alike, the same holds for buyers, sellers, and inspections. When you get a ratified contract, there are still deadlines to meet, taking from a week or two, depending on the terms.    And coordinating all the inspections depends on the scheduler's efficiency, the availability of the various contractors, the buyers, the seller's time, and the weather in a month like February.     Even when carefully scheduled, a winter storm can cancel one or more of the inspections. It's tough to inspect a roof with snow or ice adequately.   Rescheduling is not always easy. Everyone is busy, and many are already working to capacity.So we have multiple challenges. Especially older a... 02/07/2021

  Why would you purchase "As Is"? Maybe there are multiple offers, and perhaps the buyer is comfortable enough to say they will not be asking for repairs. Maybe the buyer is planning to do a significant renovation. Maybe the buyer wants to use this as a way to negotiate. Perhaps a seller will only sell this way, and the price reflects the "as is" condition.   If you are writing an offer "As Is," you might want to look at how someone will handle this. I have seen buyers try to negotiate repairs. Make sure you understand the contract. Initial only one! Below is a section of the Maryland Real Estate "AS IS ADDENDUM."     There is the "As Is" without inspections...pretty self-explanatory.  There is the "As Is" with inspections and the right to terminate. Within a time limit, usually ten da... 02/04/2021