Random Thoughts

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 »

Property Tax Appeal Deadline Is Today

September 17th, 2008 Categories: Community News, Random Thoughts, Real Estate Chatter

Today is the deadline for submitting an application to Dade County to contest the 2008 market value of your property.  If you haven’t yet done so, today is your last chance! It can take up to a year or possibly longer for your case to be heard, so don’t worry if you’re not prepared yet.  Just get the form turned in today.  You’ll have plenty of time later to gather your supporting documents.

It costs $15 to file the application.  Here is a link to the form.  Here are the filing locations:

Stephen P. Clark Center (VAB Main Office)
111 N.W. 1st Street, Suite 1720, Miami, Florida 33128-1981

· South Dade Government Center
10710 S.W. 211th Street, Room 207, Miami, Florida (Sept. 11 & 12 & Sept. 15 – 17 Only)

· North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Blvd., Room 100, Miami, Florida (Sept. 11 & 12 & Sept. 15 – 17 Only)

I’ll follow up with another post to provide more info about getting ready for an appeal, but for now, get the application in!

Spoken by Maggie Dokic | Discussion: No Comments »

Happy Birthday America!

July 4th, 2008 Categories: Random Thoughts

I love this country. I’ve called it home for 37 years now. I have enjoyed the many freedoms and opportunities it offers. I know these things have come at a cost. A very dear cost to many. Thinking of the many men and women who continue to serve this great nation and thanking them for doing so.

Here’s wishing everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday America!

Spoken by Maggie Dokic | Discussion: 1 Comment »

South Florida Real Estate Agent Eaten By Python*

February 6th, 2008 Categories: Random Thoughts

*No, it’s not true. But yesterday I felt like it could have been.

I have done BPO’s in the past for lenders. A BPO is a Broker’s Price Opinion and while it is not an appraisal, it is an opinion of the market value on a given property. Lenders will usually ask for these when a homeowner falls behind on their payments or after they’ve been contacted by the homeowner to negotiate a short sale. And even after they’ve foreclosed on a property and gotten an actual appraisal on the property.

I haven’t done a BPO in months. I’ve been busy with my sellers and buyers and really have not had time to do one. Yesterday morning I was called by a BPO provider asking if I would be willing to do a BPO for a home in the Redland. I know the Redland very well and agreed, even though I had to reschedule a few appointments in order to get the report done in time for the 6PM deadline.

I did some of the preliminary work and looked up the property stats. I looked up comparable listings and sales and was ready to drive out to the property to take pictures. The Lender wanted an interior BPO so I would have to go inside the huge 6 bedroom home and the two other structures on the property and take pictures of all of it.

I am not afraid of vacant homes. I had no problem doing that. Until I arrived at the house, that is. This particular property is so far west that there are no other homes further west than it. The everglades start right there. This, in and of itself, is not a problem either. The problem was that the property was so overgrown that I was afraid of getting out of my car. Heck, I was afraid of my car itself being swallowed up by it.

The overgrowth was about 9 feet in places. Can you say monster python boys and girls? The property was bordered on 3 sides fully by more overgrown land…15 feet high overgrowth! As much as I would have enjoyed $90 to fill up my car for 3 days, I know my limits. I called the BPO providers and bowed out.

My friends and colleagues are always reminding me that I live “in the boonies,” as they fondly like to refer to the Redland. I beg to differ. I live 4 miles east of the boonies (and I still live west of Krome!). I was there yesterday.

Crocodile Magee debuts?

Spoken by | Discussion: No Comments »

Balmy New Year

January 1st, 2008 Categories: Random Thoughts

Here’s wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.

If there was something you wanted to accomplish in 2007 but didn’t, you have a fresh start, so to speak. I know you can claim a fresh start any day of the year, or week for that matter, but why buckle tradition? Set your sights on what you want and go for it.

My best to you and yours.

Spoken by | Discussion: No Comments »

Holiday Thoughts For A Smaller World

December 20th, 2007 Categories: Random Thoughts

I have a Google Alert set up for the word “Redland.” It lets me know when something about “Redland” hits the web.

This morning it alerted me to this story. It’s a tragic story about a 13 year old boy who lost his 5 year old brother, mother and grandma to a house fire in Maryland. (Redland Middle School was mentioned in the story…that set of my Google alert)

As a blogger, I stay in touch with bloggers throughout the country. Upon reading the story, I emailed my buddy Bob Carney to ask if this was anywhere near him. It turns out the tragic incident happened only miles from him.

Our world is getting smaller because of technology. I hear about things happening here and there and I immediately think of blogging friends I have in those places.

As my heart broke for this boy I thought I’d pass the story along. Maybe just one person will read it because of me and decide to donate to his cause. Details on how to donate are the bottom of the link to the story above. Here it is again anyway.

I have a 13 year old nephew. I have a 13 year old daughter. I know the insecurities that plague the passing of childhood and the transition to adulthood. Add to that this horrific incident and I cannot imagine what this poor boy is going through!

As you plan your holidays and get caught up in the hustle and bustle of them, won’t you stop to think about the LOVE that is behind it all? It is my sincere wish that you will show some of that love to this child this Christmas.

Don’t underestimate the power of a single good deed.

Spoken by | Discussion: No Comments »

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