Condo May Be A Better Investment Than Dorm Room or RentalConsider a condo for your college and professional sons and daughters.Think about a condo for your graduate students.Explore condos for both married and single individuals.Consider investing in a condo if you or your child is attending a university, law school, medical school, or any other professional program in Baltimore. If you need housing for three years or more while pursuing your education, a condo could be the ideal choice. For those with temporary job placements lasting a few years, condos are worth considering, too. Parents, if your child will be studying or working in the Baltimore area, consider condos as a housing option. There isTBb no outside maintenance and solid security. Plus, bringing in a roommate can help off... 12/07/2024

 The best gifts aren’t expensive!  They are the ones with a story or personal meaning.  This is about that gift that fits perfectly into this month's challenge. It is a thoughtful present that leaves a lasting impression. This is such a unique and personal gift that will be remembered.  Tell us the story behind it!Once upon a time, back in 2008, I wrote my favorite blog post ever. I've written over 5,000 posts, but this one still stands out as my number one.Over the years, Carol Williams and I have talked about our hobbies, travels, our marriages and all that we are thankful for. A few years ago, Carol spent an afternoon in Baltimore, and I can tell you that a three-hour lunch allowed us to have a deeper conversation outside of real estate.Carol shared wonderful memories of the love of ... 12/04/2024

I I want to take a moment to express how much I enjoy and appreciate having my own weekly live radio show, "All About Real Estate." It’s such a joy to connect with listeners each week, share my passion for real estate, and engage in meaningful conversations. I love discussing various topics, answering your questions, and learning from your insights.I'm particularly enthusiastic about sharing stories involving unique properties and special buyers and discussing the journey of buying or selling a home. I also enjoy discussing various transactions and the challenges that arise, which helps educate the public and other real estate professionals. This not only benefits my audience but also serves to teach newer Realtors®, ultimately making the industry better for everyone involved.The energy... 11/27/2024

You are going to need some help when moving.Moving can be both exciting and stressful. While the idea of a new place is adventurous, the tasks ahead are overwhelming. There are ways to simplify the moving process and get help when needed.  If you have more stuff than space in your new home, consider getting a storage unit. This way, you can keep things you don’t want to throw away and have a tidy living area.To keep important papers safe, organize your documents in a folder. To make moving easier, group things like lease agreements, change-of-address forms, and packing lists together.Don’t forget about your internet and cable! Set up these services ahead of time to avoid waiting. If it’s too hard, ask a tech-savvy friend for help.Ask friends or family for good movers, cleaners, and help... 11/09/2024

Finding Home: Why Chemistry Matters More Than Your Wish ListBuildings have personalities just like people have personalities. When looking for a condo or coop, checking out the building before choosing the unit is imperative. You’ve heard me say that each building, hey, each neighborhood has a personality. We all look and feel differently in a building, home, or neighborhood. I have worked with people who have made a detailed list, written down and described where they want to live, the area, size, type of lot, the number of rooms, the layout, the heating fuel, the square footage, placement of the primary bedroom, and a kitchen that had everything on the list. We’ve found a home that has everything on that paper—it sounded perfect. But…there was no question that it was not the right pro... 10/26/2024

A few months ago, I found what I thought was the right condo for a favorite buyer. We had been looking for six months. Our offer was accepted, but the inspection revealed latent defects that were not acceptable. There was no choice but to withdraw from that transaction. Finally, another one showed up, and we made an appointment for this one the minute it hit the market.  We immediately made an offer that could not be turned down. We asked the listing agent what the seller wanted, including the price, terms, closing dates, and whether a post-occupancy was needed. It was a desirable property we had waited for and was perfect.  The rapport with this agent was perfect, and she was a delight.  Her only goal was to make this deal work for everyone. A few concerns were quickly addressed, and a... 10/06/2024

Choose your clients wisely. It's like that old saying goes, "You can choose your friends but not your relatives." In the same way, you can choose your buyers and your sellers. Don't put up with toxic clients because you need the sale. Working with people you like, and respect is essential for a successful and fulfilling transaction. Trust your instincts and be willing to walk away if the client isn't the right fit. Doing so will make room for exceptional buyers or sellers who will make the real estate journey more rewarding.As agents, we have the freedom to select clients who value and respect our expertise. Understand that not every potential client is a good match, and that's perfectly acceptable. If you find yourself dreading each interaction, it might be time to acknowledge that the... 10/07/2024