Miami Dade Real Estate Scoop

My friend Gwendolyn graduated with high honors today.  Today she achieved a dream she has had for many years.  She's not one to rest on her laurels.  She's now working on the next one.

I met Gwendolyn a few years ago at church.  She had just moved to Miami from Trinidad & Tobago.  I would see her walking to church with a smile on her face.  Considering that almost everyone drives in Miami, that smile was worth more than most.  Gwendolyn has no car.  She takes the bus everywhere, including to the senior home where she would volunteer regularly, as well as school and work.  Anyone who has ever had to wait for a bus in the Miami heat can tell you it's no fun.  But I've never heard Gwendolyn complain about it.

Gwendolyn has 4 grown kids back home.  She misses them terribly and hopes to be able to make it home in November to see the youngest one graduate.  She's a proud Momma.  Today the kids were the ones full of pride.  They were not here in Miami to see her graduate.  She has no family here so she invited our Pastor and his wife, another church friend and myself to partake of this momentous occasion with her.

Two days ago Gwendolyn told me I'd have to arrive early to the commencement exercises as the President was going to be there.  "The President of what?"  I asked.  "The United States."  "Oh!  That President!  Cool.  I've never seen him in person before."  Gwendolyn would have an extra memorable graduation with the President there.  Stories to tell her kids back home.

Today I felt all giggly inside as I saw the President of our country perhaps 60 feet from me delivering the commencement speech at Miami Dade College.  I love pomp and circumstance.  I love tradition.  My eyes would sometimes drift up to the screen where I could see a bigger Mr. Bush and I would quickly remind myself to look at the real man instead as I would most likely not have this opportunity again.  He had us all laughing and applauding.  Then the President of the United States mentioned Gwen by name and my jaw dropped.  The President was speaking about my friend!  I could not believe it.  Gwendolyn embodies what this land of opportunity can mean to people who realize the value of it.  She came here with dreams.  One was to get her degree and by golly she had done it.  She busted her tail in the process but her faith never faltered and she had not given up.  President Bush was speaking of Gwen.  Now that was a story to tell your grandkids!  My chest had swelled with pride when I realized Gwen had different tassels and regalia than others because of her high honors.  Now I was about to bust hearing the President speaking of her!

If you press me real hard to relate this story to real estate it would have to be this: 

• You can have everything stacked against you and you can still make it. 
• Hard work and dedication do pay off. 
• Stay focused on your goals and you can achieve them.  My friend Gwen did.  And today the President of the United States of America acknowledged her hard work.  Wow.

I'm so proud of her!

You can read the President's speech here.

I missed a call on my desk phone while speaking to a REALTOR on my cell.  I called the front office and inquired as to who was looking for me.  "Oh, it was a man who said he wants you to list his house.  He said he'll call your cell," came the nonchalant reply. 

I was anything but nonchalant in my reaction.

"Nice!  You didn't get his name and number?  Oh, I'll wait for his call then."  I wondered whether it would materialize.

Not 2 minutes later my cell phone did ring and it was indeed the same man, calling me to list his home for him.  Now, please understand, I am trying to keep my excitement in check so the man doesn't think I am a total dork.  I don't usually get calls from people who have already decided they want to list with me.  I do the same as most other agents.  I have my listing presentation and go on listing appointments fully expecting to be hired but still having to go through the "interview process."  This was different and I would have been doing somersaults if my body allowed such things.

I have been working really hard this year to develop a web presence.  Active Rain has bumped up the results I get from my efforts.  Unbelievably so!  I get emails and phonecalls from people that tell me they saw me on the web quite frequently now.  But I've never had someone just call and drop a listing on my lap.  Until now! 

Of course I jest about not needing a listing presentation.  I'm not that cocky.  Really.  But it's no joke that those of us who are making the effort to become the local experts will be laughing last and laughing hardest.  Dagnabit, it feels good!!

Although the Home Show in West Miami started last night at 6:00 PM, you still have the better part of the show to enjoy all it offers to homeowners and dreamers.  The West Miami Home Show continues today and tomorrow, 4/28 & 29 to bring you the latest in home ideas.

Planning a renovation of your Miami Home?  Concrete driveway?  Kitchen Remodel?  Spiffy new landscaping?  Relaxing Koi pond?  Too many ideas to decide what to work on first?  Come to the West Miami Home Show this weekend and leave with tons of ideas, as well as contact information for capable contractors who can help you with your project.  For a complete list of exhibitors click here.

When: Fri. 4/27 6PM - 10PM

          Sat. 4/28 Noon - 10PM

          Sun. 4/29 Noon - 8PM

Where:  Miami Dade County Fair & Exposition Center,

             Sunshine Pavillion

             10901 Coral Way

             Miami, Florida

How much?  $5 for Adults. 

               Under 12 & Over 65 get in for Free. 

               Tickets sold at the door.

This community event announcement has been brought to you by your local REALTOR, Maggie Dokic.  Proudly serving Southwest Dade County.

I am in the process of uploading pictures to the Miami Redlands section of Localism.  I hate uploading pictures.  Even with DSL.  I like to insert an accurate description for each so people find them valuable and that takes a little longer.  I also couldn't find my camera cable until yesterday so I am behind in my picture uploading.

Anyway, here I sit wishing I could make quick work of this.  A thought comes to mind.  Maybe Little One (my 12-year old) can lend a helping hand and earn some cash.  She's getting antsy and wants to go home.  I can entertain her and rid myself of a chore all at the same time.  I offer her 10 cents per picture. 

"How many do you have?"  she wants to know.  "About 50," I answer (I've fallen way behind in my photo duties).

"Oh!  That's 50 cents!"  she tells me.  I smile real big and answer "umm, yeah, it could be."  But I think I must have looked like the Cheshire cat as she quickly realized her mistake.  She starts laughing and corrects her calculation.

She agrees to the $5 but only "because it will help me."  What a sweet and unselfish child I have (uh huh).  I still have to look at the pictures and give her a caption for each one, but it will help me as I finish up some paperwork on my desk.

Tomorrow is Take-your-child-to-work Day and she's coming with me.  I'm not sure I can afford her.

We can finally see it!  We have been waiting anxiously to see the new Homestead Hospital. They will be hosting a Community Open House this Saturday, April 28, 2007 from 1-4PM. 

There will be lots of things to do so bring the family.  Take a tour of the beautiful new facilities.

There will be face painting and clowns for the kids to enjoy.

Everyone gets to enjoy refreshments and a gift for each family while supplies last.

If you need hospital care Saturday is the last day at the old facility.  Sunday will be the first day you can receive care at the new Homestead Hospital.

The new Homestead Hospital is located at Campbell Drive (SW 312 Street) and SW 147 Avenue, one mile east of the Florida Turnpike.

http://www.baptisthealth.net/

If you're looking for housing in the general Homestead Hospital area, give me a call.  I can help you with that!  Just take a look at this beautiful home I have listed.  If this one is not quite for you, there are many others I can show you.

Maggie Dokic, Licensed Real Estate Broker

www.MaggieTheRealtor.com

Please help me welcome a great addition to the Rain.  Beth Butler has just joined AR and I believe she will fit in very nicely here!

I have to admit that I did not know Beth prior to last week.  This is a testament to how our blogging efforts really do work.  She emailed me to let me know she was enjoying my blog and I thought that was so thoughtful and told her so when I replied.

I think I may have been destined to be a detective before deciding to go into real estate for I google everything!  No sooner had I replied to Beth's lovely email than I went off to find out a little more about her.  Her email address told me she's with the well respected firm of EWM but upon further review I found out just how involved she is with them. 

Beth is EWM's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Here's a few other things I found out about Beth.  She's been Realtor of the Year twice, not once (I liken the ROTY accolade to an actor getting an Oscar - the ultimate!), she's past president of 2 local Realtor boards, she was instrumental in the merger that resulted in the present board structure in Miami-Dade county and her achievements don't end there.  I was starstruck.  What was she doing writing to someone like me?

It turns out Beth is a lovely, down to earth person, just the kind we love around here.  We've shared a few emails back and forth and I can testify to that.  That, coupled with her experience and keen insight on technology and it's role in real estate tells me she's going to post some awesome blogs.  I, for one, am really looking forward to learning all I can from her.  Her first post is up right now.  I also found it interesting that fellow Rainer, Abraham Ramirez had previously written about the EWM Advantage Program and quoted Beth in the process.  You can see his post and find out more about EWM here.

Guess what else?  Beth is also connected to Ardell's cutie pie Project Blogger apprentice, Kevin Tomlinson (sorry Kevin, I couldn't resist).  If you want to know the connection, do a little snooping of your own.  What is it they say about the 6 degrees of separation?  Maybe on the Rain it's only 4.

Please join me in extending a warm Active Rain welcome to Beth.  Welcome aboard Beth.  As the Weather Girls sang, Leave the umbrella at home.  You're going to love it in the Rain!

OK, a few days ago I was joking around about reaching 100,000.  Today I tell the truth when I say I've reached 50,000 Active Rain points.  This post oughtta do it.  What a great journey it's been.  I don't have a catchy post to mark this milestone for me.  It's just a heartfelt story of what Active Rain means to me.

I started participating in the Rain about 3 months ago.  Right from the start it was fun.  At the beginning I had no idea why I was participating other than to amass all the points in the world!  LOL  But that feeling went away.  It was replaced by a feeling of community and respect for those who participate in it.  There are many, many wonderful people in the Rain.  Real people.  Real experts.  Real professionals.  Real fun.

There's no way I can mention everyone who has meant something to me in the Rain. If your name is not here, it's not because you haven't touched me in some way.  It's just that there isn't enough room on the AR servers to hold a post that long!   

Mark Flanders made me feel welcome right from the beginning.  He's not as vocal in the Rain lately, but that's because he's out there trying to conquer the world.  Yes you are Mark, don't deny it!  When he does make an appearance, it's always fun.  Thanks Mark for making me feel a part of Active Rain when I didn't think I was.

My buddy Nick M. just picked up the phone during my first week here and called me for no reason.  We now do that on a regular basis and stay in touch.  He's a geek.  A techno-geek with a big heart. He's also got a killer sense of humor. I've learned a lot from him. 

Lynda Eisenmann also picked up the phone and made me cry as I was driving.  Bad Lynda!  Bad, bad Lynda!  I jest.  Lynda is a wonderful person with a lot of experience and a lot to share about this field.  She was calling to thank me for the comments she saw me making everywhere.  She really did make me cry but it wasn't intentional and it wasn't bad.  Sweet Lynda.

Ines Hegedus-Garcia sent me a referral for a $750K listing and asked for nothing in return.  She picked up the phone a few days later when I made a comment about having a bad day just to check on me.  Ines is a sweetheart.  By the way, that $750K listing is only 30 minutes from her.  She could have kept it.  But she didn't.  Did I already tell you she's a sweetheart?  It bears repeating.

Sarah Cooper...aahh, what can I say about Sarah Cooper that I haven't said before?  She's my little sister in West Virginia whom I've never met.  I hope that will change one day soon.  She's a very special person.

Margaret Rome also picked up the phone one day and called to thank me for the work I had put into the Week in Review.  Her comments were so genuine I started bawling again.  What is it with me, phones, driving and crying? 

Chris Elizabeth Griffith  cracks me up.  She and I exchanged a series of "behind the scenes" commentaries which make me laugh even now.  She really is a hoot.  She's also a daredevil and one day I want to jump out of a plane just like she did...with a good looking hunk strapped to my back.  rofl  She's also a size 2.  I hate her.  OK, I don't hate her.  I'm terribly jealous of her size 2 but that's where the bad feelings end.  Thanks for the many laughs Chris.

Teresa Boardman is a blog goddess and still finds time for the little people.  I was going through a rough patch in the Rain and she was there listening and giving sage advice.  Unbeknownst to me, she was going through her own patch at the time.  It made me appreciate her advice even more.

Danny Smith is a sweetheart with a devilish streak in him.  He always has a smile on his face, something fun in mind and a song in his heart.  Thanks for all the melodies Danny!

Broker Bryant and Billie Tutas are AR icons.  They're also really nice people with a lot of good avice.  Sorry I put you both in the same mention, but you two are a couple and you make that work so well.  You deserve to be together in my mention just as you are in real life.

Jonathan Washburn.  If he was not married and I wasn't almost 20 years older I'd make a play for him.  Just kidding, Sara, just kidding!  I'm impressed with this phenomenal business he's got going called Active Rain but even more by his genuine, caring manner and his big heart.  I've also seen Sara splashing in the Rain.  You two are one lucky couple.

Linda Davis has a fabulous sense of humor.  Her Carnac predictions are always good for many laughs and quite often they come true!  Apart from that, she knows what she's doing.  I forever want to be her little sponge, soaking up all the good stuff she has to teach.

Lysa Napolitano is an incredible person who puts her money where her mouth is.  She's out busting her butt this weekend to help those in need.  I hope she doesn't bust it too hard.  We need her here in the Rain.  I can't wait to hear how the event turns out.  

The Codgers have brought many smiles to my face.  Much to my chagrin, they're cutting back on their posts and I will have to live with that.  I'm not happy about it but I will have to live with it.  Did you know that if you go to a person's profile and click on their My Comments link you can see where they've been?  I haven't followed the Codgers around too much this way, but it's a thought...just in case I start suffering withdrawal symptoms.

OK, I have to stop now.  I could go on and on.  There are certainly enough people I could write about.  You must know who you are.  I'm sure I've told you so on your posts.  There are countless numbers of you.  That's what makes this place rock.  You all give of your time, expertise and friendship so readily.  It's not about the points.  I'm using that as an excuse to tell you about the journey and friends made along the way.

I just read a post written by Michelle DeRepentingy that made me stop and think how our blogs are, and will continue to be, a work in progress.  And even if you've yet to post your actual first AR post, this applies to you also.  At some point the blogbug will bite you and you'll post for the first time.  You'll be smitten and will continue to post.

It's perfectly fine to post even though you think you may not be ready.  Who is looking for perfection?  We're all searching for our "voices" as everyone tells us.  But even when we find it, we will continue to try new things on our blogs.  We'll adapt it and play with certain things and entertain others in the hopes of making it better, or at least keep up with the never-satisfied request for fresh content. 

The thing that really came to mind when I read Michelle's post was the Norman Martin song (better known as the song that Shari Lewis, Lambchop, Charley Horse and Hush Puppy sang).  If you're not familiar with it, I've placed a link to it below.  If you are familiar with it, sing along with a minor change to the lyrics and tell me it doesn't suit this blogging thing to a "T?"  All together now!

This is the Blog that doesn't end.

Yes, it goes on and on, my friend.

Some people started blogging, not knowing what it was.

And they'll continue blogging forever just because---

This is the Blog that doesn't ends.

(repeat until you can no longer stand it!)

Yes, we may be working, but don't forget to enjoy yourself while you're at it!

This is a shameless plug for my AR buddy, Sarah Cooper.  Sarah, if you haven't noticed, you are in the enviable position of #12 on the Most Subscribed list!  I say enviable because you are way ahead of bloggers who have been here much longer than you. 

My own take on this is that readers subscribe to blogs that offer valuable information, encouragement and a little goofiness now and then (that little button above my face that says Subscribe to Blog is how we keep up with favorite readers.  Consider this an invitation to click on mine, should you enjoy my posts - I know, I have no shame lol).  

In the short time Sarah has been here she has consistently provided highly entertaining posts full of useful information.  I think she and I may have arrived at about the same time.  There's so many doors leading into Active Rain that we don't know who came in until we start mingling at the party with them. 

It takes involvement to build a community and boy is Sarah involved.  I have been the recipient of Sarah's unexpected greeting cards (real ones sent snail mail), thoughtful comments, and friendship in general.  She's a great gal and a fabulous REALTOR®.  It may sound trite, but to know Sarah is to love her.

If you've recently started splashing in the Rain, learn from Sarah.  She proves that you don't have to be one of the founding fathers to be making a difference.  Everyone in Active Rain can make a difference.  All it takes is some participation and effort.  Yes!  I'm talking to you sitting there thinking you can't possibly do it.  Just give it a try.  You may surprise yourself!

The very cool text graphic was made using cooltext.com.  I found the site because Midori told me about it.  See?  Everyone here is really cool and loves to share.

Have you heard all the hullabaloo about the new Forever Stamp the U.S. Postal Service is introducing?  You will be able to use it in the future for First Class mailings in spite of any rate increases which may occur.

This is a novel marketing idea on the USPS part.  Who doesn't like a bargain?  But honestly, how many stamps can one buy and hoard just to cover future mailing expenses? 

As real estate agents some of us rely on direct mailings for our marketing.  And when using direct mailing, we are advised to use first class postage, not bulk rate, as it stands a better chance of getting read.  As true as that may be, I can't imagine buying more than 300 or so of these stamps to keep around.  That wouldn't last me even a month the way I mail.

The stamps will be available for sale starting tomorrow.  The new rate hike isn't effective until May 14th so don't start using them just yet.  They will remain for sale at $.41 until the next price change, at which point the price will be whatever the new rate is.  I guess when that next increase comes around there will be a lot of buying of the old stamps at the old price.  It reminds me of running down to the store before a hurricane is coming to stock up on water.  Well, not exactly the same, but I'm sure the frenzy will be similar.

Read all about the new stamp here.