Family Heads Back to South Florida

February 16th, 2010 Categories: About, Random Thoughts, South Florida Living, The Redland

In the past few years there’s been so much talk of people leaving south Florida and heading north.  It seemed that was all I heard a few years back.  But homes have become affordable once again in Miami and surrounding areas.

I read an interesting story of a family who headed to North Dakota lured by the promise of small town life, sweetened by the offer of free land and money to get their home purchase on its way.

It’s been four years since the Tristanis moved and they’re apparently trying to come back to south Florida.  The beautiful weather here is just one of the many reasons.

You can read their story here.  It’s a shame that the efforts of the development committee were not taken to heart by the surrounding community.  Clearly, for things like this to work, everyone must be on board.

The Redland, just southwest of Miami, is a lovely place to call home. I love the fact that things are quiet here.  And I’m never more than 10 minutes away from most things I need.  It’s really the best of both worlds for me.  I haven’t cleaned snow since 2001 when I left New York.  I can’t say that the snow’s been missed. =)

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Like Being Separated At Birth – Sort Of

April 14th, 2009 Categories: Random Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to tell this story for months now, but business got in the way. I’m still swamped selling real estate, but I made some time this morning to finally get the story told.

I’ve added a link to my blogroll and it merits a story of its own. The link is to a “sister” site, “The Blog That Ate Manhattan.” It’s a witty, informative and authoritative site.

The blog belongs to Dr. Margaret Polaneczky. Yeah, you might be thinking “hey, a Realtor has time to waste spend on a blog. but shouldn’t a doctor be busy saving lives?” If so, you’re not getting this blogging thing. It gets under your skin and you make time for it, regardless of what else is going on in your life.

Read the rest of this entry »

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A Preference For Change – Happy 2009!

December 31st, 2008 Categories: Random Thoughts

Nature has a preference for change, as evidenced by the above writings of M.J. Wheatley.

May your New Year be filled with the same.  Embrace change, don’t run from it.  Change what displeases you, if you are able to.

Don’t take the path of least resistance, unless it’s the right path.  At the end of the day, complacency is an ugly thing.

Wishing you and yours a most blessed 2009.  Happy New Year!  And thanks for a great 2008.

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Merry Christmas

December 25th, 2008 Categories: Random Thoughts

Wishing you a joyous and blessed Christmas.

May it be filled with the peace that comes with knowing why we celebrate the day.

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Miami Home Values Threatened – Show Up Tonight!

November 3rd, 2008 Categories: Community News, Random Thoughts

We do NOT need more housing developments being built in Miami-Dade.  We have plenty of housing in place already.  Lots of it sitting vacant and unsold, so why build more?

Show up tonight and let your voice be heard. The following is re-printed in it’s entirety with permission from www.cleanwater.org.  Please visit the Hold the Line campaign online for more information.

Is Miami-Dade Selling Out????

YOUR VOICE is needed at these important meetings. It’s time to tell Miami-Dade officials that our economy, our environment, and our community can’t afford to keep bailing out private land developers!

November 3, 2008, 6:30 P.M. West Kendall Community Council (11)

Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School Auditorium

15735 SW 144 Street

Did you know…

Ø Miami-Dade reports 59,798 pre-foreclosures between January and September 2008?[1][1]

Ø More than 14.2% of existing housing units in the county are vacant?[2][2]

Ø Since 1994 the county has lost 27% of active farmlands? [3][3]

Ø Miami residents waste more than 50 hours in traffic delays each year?[4][4]

Ø Florida has just beat out California for the highest home foreclosures in the nation?[5][5]

Lennar’s Parklands project would:

v Add 6,941 homes to the surplus of homes on the market in Miami-Dade.

v Use nearly 1 million gallons of water per day.

v Be built in a FEMA flood zone.

v Develop 961 acres of Miami-Dade’s remaining agricultural lands.

v Increase the population by an estimated 18,232 residents.

v Pave open space within 2 miles of Everglades National Park.

v Offer less than 10% of its units for affordable housing.

v Have insufficient density to support mass transit.

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Should I Stop Paying My Mortgage and Buy the House Across the Street Instead?

October 17th, 2008 Categories: Random Thoughts, Real Estate Chatter

It may sound like a nonsense question, but in today’s Miami real estate market, there are folks pondering this very same thing.

Faced with owning a house that has declined in value by 40% or more since they bought it a couple of years ago, people in Miami are wondering why they don’t just let the bank foreclose on them and then buy the house down the street at the new, lower price.

Hmmm! Can someone actually pull this off? I bet with a little creative thinking, it could be done. I don’t know anyone who has actually done it, but I’ve heard people pose the question. Not directly at me, expecting an answer. But as a “what if” scenario.

I’m not here to provide an answer to this question, by the way. But I think banks must be aware that this is a possibility and they’re more motivated to help homeowners stay in their present homes by restructuring their current loans. A lower loan payment can certainly provide the relief needed so a person doesn’t have to think about doing things like this. Even, if thinking is all they’re doing.

I’m sorry we’ve even gotten to the point where questions like this pop up. Bummer.

Spoken by Maggie Dokic | Discussion: 5 Comments »

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