Tom Gavin's Home Team of Coldwell Banker Realty

Tom Gavin's Home Team of Coldwell Banker Realty "Helping growing families upsize lifestyles to amazing futures."

06/05/2025

One of the myths in real estate is that homes only sell in the spring.

The ground truth is that homes sell year round.

For instance.

Fall and winter buyers are more serious.

There’s less “just browsing” which can lead to faster, cleaner sales.

Fewer homes on the market can mean less competition.

That helps your listing stand out.

Job relocations happen year round.

And life events like death, divorce, and diapers … as in babies pop up.

Buyers can be more active in spring and summer which helps the spring myth.

And if your lawn is like mine, your curb appeal looks better with blooming flowers.

The bottom line is simple.

If your home is well prepared, priced right and reasonably updated, it will sell year round.

06/03/2025

Before the pandemic, hosting an open house was almost expected.

While it wasn’t always essential, it was a familiar part of the process.

But times have changed.

With more options for reaching buyers, traditional open houses aren’t as common—
And sometimes, they’re only used when a home isn’t selling.

Today, there are other creative ways to attract potential buyers.

Think wine and cheese open houses or a casual Saturday ice cream event.

These unique approaches make your home memorable and stand out.

But no matter the strategy, the essentials remain the same.

A neat interior.
Striking photography.
Curb appeal landscaping and smart, strategic pricing.

Mix these tactics effectively and interest could be so high you might receive an offer on the spot.

05/28/2025

How could an Orioles bobblehead giveaway ruin a night?

It was Damarys’ birthday.

Her daughter got her great seats—but couldn’t go.
So, naturally, I’m back up.

It's a giveaway night. Star Wars weekend.
And I walk in thinking, great, another Colton Cowser bobblehead.

I barely get through the gate when some grandpa-looking guy
asks if he can have mine—for his grandson.

I hand it over.

I don’t exactly scream “Colton Cowser fan.”

Seconds later, Damarys returns from the ladies room and scolds me—for giving away her bobblehead.
Her bobblehead?

She had one already.
But apparently this one was a special Star Wars edition—and her brother’s a collector.

So… did Star Wars ruin her birthday?
Or was it Colton Cowser?
All I know is it was the 4th inning before she started speaking to me again.

Oh by the way, the O’s did win 3-0.

05/25/2025

Ever wonder what your neighbors think—not just about you, but how you care for your home?

In many neighborhoods, pride of ownership runs deep.

Often, the higher the home values, the higher the standard of care.
One simple sign? Saturday mornings.

If you hear lawn mowers buzzing, that’s pride in action.
People investing in their space.

But if it’s quiet… well, that might say something too.

It’s not always about being house-proud—it’s sometimes about keeping up with the neighbors.

A little friendly rivalry.
Try this: mow the lawn, trim the hedges, sweep the walk. Water the plants.

It doesn’t just make your home look better—it makes you feel better.

Because when you take pride in where you live, it shows. And sometimes, it even inspires the whole block.

05/22/2025

Before the pandemic, hosting an open house was almost expected.

While it wasn’t always essential, it was a familiar part of the process.

But times have changed.

With more options for reaching buyers, traditional open houses aren’t as common—
And sometimes, they’re only used when a home isn’t selling.

Today, there are other creative ways to attract potential buyers.

Think wine and cheese open houses or a casual Saturday ice cream event.
These unique approaches make your home memorable and stand out.

But no matter the strategy, the essentials remain the same.
A neat interior.
Striking photography.
Curb appeal landscaping and smart, strategic pricing.

Mix these tactics effectively and interest could be so high you might receive an offer on the spot.

05/13/2025

Some of my philosophy on real estate.

‘87 to 92 % of what you and I worry about never happens’.

That’s a quote.

It’s a quote that points to uncertainty.

By the way I look at facts as data.

My philosophy is that data starts as knowledge.

It’s new information.

But it’s only considered new due to not enough of us being willing to dig deep for it.

When I first began, there were times when I was just as guilty of being unprepared as the next person.

What seemed to reset me was when a client said NO to one of my ideas.

Or when an ‘assumed success’ turned into a dud of an outcome.

Or when Damarys looks at me in dead silence.

Silence is a great communicator.

If in doubt, I check the rule book.

Confirm facts and figures with a fellow real estate colleague.

And always, I trust my initial instincts but check them later.

Selling and buying a home can be tough enough.But imagine doing it with a 4 year old, a one car family, and speaking two...
04/28/2025

Selling and buying a home can be tough enough.

But imagine doing it with a 4 year old, a one car family, and speaking two languages.

That’s how we met Santos and Charise.

This young family was referred to Damarys from another client.

All 3 brought great value.

Each spoke 2 languages.

Santos and Charise had great credit.

They were ideal parents wanting to settle in a quiet area.

Oh yes, Santos was very talented and motivated.

His skills made him in high demand during the week.

His skillful ambitions put extra money in their bank account on weekends.

Charise and Damarys developed a powerful connection.

Having a game plan they house-hunted nights and weekends.

Damays was careful to keep them focused on their goals not just their dreams.

Some buyers take months to find the ‘just right’ moment.

With Charise and Santos, Damarys had them under contract in less than 6 weeks.

There are 2 sayings that resonate with me, telling this story.

'Dedication to excellence.'
'When you know, you know.'

This could be said for all 3 of them.

In this one case study, I acted as support, not just the co-agent.

04/19/2025

When I got in my shower and only felt lukewarm water I knew we had a problem.

Could I have foreseen this?

Probably.

My water heater came with the house some 17 years ago.

Was this my fault?

Probably again.

The Warranty Tech who brought the new one gently scolded me.

Which got me thinking.

Often I talk about other homeowner’s pains and problems.

Those posts always have solutions attached.

My life around here is similar to a washing machine on a spin cycle.

Which reminds me.

I should check that too.

It’s overdue to be the next appliance to go on strike.

Moral of this story.
Get a home warranty. Keep it current. It beats a cold shower.

04/15/2025

Would a superstition prevent you from buying a house?

What exactly are superstitions?

Webster’s dictionary calls them beliefs that influence decisions.

Ok, here are some common ones.

The Number 13. Haunted Houses.

The direction of a front door.

The color “red”.

If someone has passed away in the house.

And for sellers, here’s one almost every real estate person knows.

Bury a statue of St. Joseph in your front yard.

This superstition says your home will sell faster.

These examples can play into emotion that could add self doubt and alter decisions.

Its a shame though to think that a buyer might pass on improving their way of life for the sake of what some may call an old wive’s tale.

I’d rather spend my time picking out paint colors and changing names on the mailbox.

Do you find yourself organizing certain closets in your house for certain clothes?The hallway is for outerwear of course...
04/14/2025

Do you find yourself organizing certain closets in your house for certain clothes?

The hallway is for outerwear of course.

Spare bedrooms could be for formal wear.

Your bedroom for work and daily attire.

How about your shoes?

If you’re like some people, shoes occupy every closet.

Almost forgot!

Your kids.

Their bedroom closets may be overstuffed.

And that’s on a good day.

You may have 2 options.

Keep things as they are.

Or reach out to a more relaxed method of organizing.

More room, less stress.

Your upgraded home is out here.

We just need to select your criteria. linktr.ee/tomgavinrealtor

04/10/2025

The market seems to be flooded with self improvement books and audios.

I for one usually have 2 to 3 going at the same time.

Each one of them brings something of value.

An idea. A spark of ambition. As the old saying goes, a check up from the neck up.

Add one more quality to that list.

Attitude.

Studies show that a positive attitude is linked to greater motivation, resilience, and well being.

Just walking into a meeting with a smile often reverses the mood and temperature of a room.

What’s the cost of a positive, open ended approach compared to a close mind?

Not sure.

But I’ll suggest that the half hour a day you or I invest in success stories, books and videos will get me where I’m going and you as well.

Some call these habits ‘their edge’ because as another old saying reminds us ‘what’s easy to do is just as easy not to do’.

04/07/2025

How’s the lighting in your basement?

Have you looked closely in the last year?

How much dirt and crud has accumulated around that water heater?

Or the dryer?

Are there piles of summer clothes in the way of everything else?

Or instead of clothes are you tripping over beach balls and lawn chairs.

3 solutions.

Rent a storage unit, do a yard sale, or this one.

Upsize to a home that’s a custom fit.

Come to the understanding that the home you’ve enjoyed for years has run its course.

Not only has your family outgrown its space so has all your stuff.

Need a game plan?

We’re helping families buy and sell every week.

The process we have is like a well oiled machine.

Plus our lighting is better.

Address

Route 24 & Bel Air South Pkwy
Bel Air, MD
21015

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+14439660692

Website

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