Archive for August, 2007

Eliminating The Competition

August 30th, 2007 Categories: South Florida Living

One of my sellers contacted me yesterday. He was wondering why his sign was gone from the front of his house.

I called our sign installer and asked. They knew nothing about it.

My seller and I came to the conclusion that the competition didnt want to compete with his home which is priced to sell and decided to get rid of the sign.

Either that, or someones using my face for BB-gun practice.

Just lovely¦¦¦

Spoken by | Discussion: 10 Comments »

Krome And State Roads Getting Facelifts

August 24th, 2007 Categories: Punchy Fridays, The Redland

Or is it more like tummy tucks?  For anyone in the Redland who’s ever tried to cross Krome Avenue from one of the main roads and suffered the dreaded “oops, I forgot to signal,” fate, this is good news!

I know I am not alone.  I have had my share of being behind the guy waiting at the light on Krome who wants to turn left but has, you guessed it, conveniently forgotten to signal the fact.  Then I’m trying to go straight and stuck behind him trying to turn left.  He waits for an opportunity to go and I check my rearview mirror for the same.  I have missed many lights that way.  On a day when I don’t have a minute to spare it’s offered much grief.

The fact that the turning signal was an upgrade in those cars is not the sole contributor to the problem.  Indeed, the main problem is the fact that most state roads intersecting Krome don’t have left turning lanes.  The roads weren’t wide enough or busy enough to warrant them.

Well, this is all changing now.  For at least the last 4 months Krome Avenue has been a flurry of activity.  SW 184 Street, 200 Street, 216 Street and further south all the way to Homestead, there’s been some big boys with their big boy toys tearing up the roads.  They’ve torn up the asphalt, dumped rock, suffered having their pictures taken by me, installed new traffic lights, and last night something new!

Last night asphalt was laid down.  Can you stand it?  This may not be cause for the Miami Herald to come visit, but hey, we’re simple in the Redland.  A wider road with new left turning lane is a big deal to us!  As I drove west on 200th Street I smelled what seemed to be cigarettes.  Upon getting closer to Krome I saw dozens and dozens of workers busy under their artificial light creating blacktop.  SW 200th Street, at Krome, is now officially wider.

Oh happy day……..

Spoken by | Discussion: 5 Comments »

Do You Not Understand Its Mortgage Fraud?

August 18th, 2007 Categories: For Buyers, For Sellers, Homestead Real Estate, Miami Real Estate, Redland Real Estate

I like selling real estate in the Miami Redland.  I’ve met some great people in my business.  I’ve helped lots of folks and knowing I’ve done a good job is extremely satisfying to me.

Yesterday I didn’t like one of the people who contacted me.  I was on my way to a meeting in Aventura and driving on I-95.  I’m not that familiar with the area and was keeping an eye on the exits. 

My phone rang and I answered, “Hello, this is Maggie!”  The gentleman on the phone asked me about some homes in an area of Homestead.  I told him that I didn’t have homes available specifically where he said but a little further away I have a development listed with 15 homes still available for sale and affordable.

He asked me for the prices and if there were any incentives.  I answered all his questions and he said something about wanting “cash back.”  I told him we were not offering cash back at closing.  I went even further and told him it was mortgage fraud and illegal.

He said to let him worry about that.  He asked me again for the prices.  I repeated them.  “What will they appraise at?” he asked me.  OK, now I see he’s trying to skin the cat a different way.  I know where he’s headed with this.

I tried really hard to not sound arrogant when I replied, “they will appraise at what they’re priced at.  If they were to appraise higher, we would be selling them for more money.”  Now this may seem like common sense, but I did understand where he was headed.  He’s familiar with appraisals that come in, magically, at numbers that are inflated.  These inflated appraisals are key in being able to commit mortgage fraud.  I guess he thinks he knows my business better than I do. 

Mr. Cash Back must have realized that my patience was wearing thin.  He told me he’d call me back if he decided to look at these homes.  I’m happy if he loses my phone number.  The only orange I look good in is perhaps an orange scarf.  An entire jumpsuit might be a bit much.  Besides that, I worked hard for my license and am actually proud of it.  I won’t be risking losing it anytime soon.

By the time I hung up I realized I had passed my exit by 5 miles.  Dagnabit!

Spoken by | Discussion: 9 Comments »

To Catch A Lizard

August 6th, 2007 Categories: Entertainment, South Florida Living

Ahhh¦.nothing like a little excitement added to your morning. Im on vacation in Ft. Myers Beach and when we went to bed last night, we noticed a little lizard was in the room. I was too tired to do anything about it last night but awoke fully charged and ready to tackle the little critter this morning.

Most Floridians wouldnt do anything about a little lizard in the room. Most Floridians would laugh at me for referring to them as Floridians. Although I call Miami Redland home, I grew up in New York City and still prefer the little reptiles outside, where I feel they belong.

My task this morning was made easier by the fact that the little guy was still hanging out on the ceiling. I have a super simple way of catching lizards that works almost 100% of the time. And I dont have to touch them. Although Ive gotten over the fear of them Im still a little squeamish about touching them. I owe this simple trick to my friend Rosemary Janssen. Thanks Romi!

This lizard was tiny, about 2 inches with tail and all. I went to the kitchen and got a glass. I ripped the box our fajita dinner started in so that I had a piece of cardboard big enough to slide under the glass after I cupped him. Ive discovered that most lizards will œplay dead when they notice you around them. Unless youre up in their space, then theyll try to make a run for it.

I put the glass over the cute little thing. Then I slipped the cardboard under the glass so that he was trapped. I got off the chair very carefully (everyone else was still sleeping so I had no one to help). And I went outside where I set him free. Of course the glass was washed after being used.

Mission accomplished!

Spoken by | Discussion: 17 Comments »