Random Thoughts

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.

Spoken by Maggie Dokic | Discussion: No Comments »

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.

Spoken by Maggie Dokic | Discussion: No Comments »

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.

Spoken by Maggie Dokic | Discussion: 3 Comments »

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 »

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