

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!
![]()
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!
![]()
410-530-2400
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.
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
![]()
410-530-2400
It wasn't the subject matter. It wasn't even the results of the quiz. As usual, what made the day exciting was the people. An Exciting Day in Class-Baltimore,Maryland
A few days ago I wrote about Anna in my broker class, and how she's a great fan of the Kindle, Amazon's e-book reader. Well yesterday she had it with her and was showing us all how it works. It is so thin, so neat!
But it got better. She pulled up the cover of my book, showed how to turn the pages, and how to put the curser before a word and voilá...the definition.

But she wasn’t done yet – there was one more special feature. The Kindle reads to you. There in front of about 15 other brokers/agents... my book was been read aloud! As one person commented "It sure doesn't sound like you." Nope, it didn't - it was a male voice. Hmm….wonder if you could change that to a female voice with a bit of a southern accent?
It was An Exciting Day in Class-Baltimore,Maryland
![]()
410-530-2400
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved