It's always super satisfying when we close a short sale. Despite the roller coaster ride that everyone involved goes on, the headaches, the frustration, and all the work, it's always worth it to know that it was all to help the homeowners (who we consider friends by the end of the transaction) avoid foreclosure and have a fresh new start.     The Seller's gratitude at the end gives me enough to keep going. So needless to say, when we're sent a gift in appreciation from our Sellers, it completely makes our day. Today we got Edible Arrangements (just in time cause we were hungry!), and it was just a fantastic surprise and put the biggest smiles on our faces. So thank you to our Sellers, and thank you to all Sellers and Buyers who really appreciate us as Realtors and all the work that we g... 11/28/2011

Davie Florida Holiday Events 2011 Davie is known for its festive decorations and beautiful lights at the Davie Town Hall. This year the "Lighting of the Greens" and the "South Florida Trail Riders Jingle Bell Parade" will be held on Sunday December 4th, 2011 at Town Hall/Bergeron Rodeo Grounds                                                                  6591 Orange Drive, Davie  6:15 pm.....See Santa arriving by Fire Engine, Tree Lighting, Horse Parade and Snow!!! This is always a fun event for the entire family, when the Davie Town Hall is transformed into a spectacle of colorful twinkling lights!!    11/26/2011

  There’s a Native American saying that tells us to “Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way”.   Given the country’s climate where everything is uncertain and we don’t know where we are heading, it’s hard to keep an optimistic attitude. Many families feel like they have insurmountable hurdles, but I think this also puts on added emphasis on the smaller things we are grateful for. What we are grateful at Green Realty is that we know that just like what goes up must come down, the opposite is true. Every wave has a trough and a crest, and while we’re in the trough right now, the crest is up ahead, so we are thankful for unknown blessings that are already on their way. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!   11/23/2011

Happy Veteran's Day To our Veterans, their family and friends...  We can't ever thank you enough for all your courage and for your for incredible sacrifice. We hope that you enjoy your day and we hope that you know how grateful we are. Thank you for your that you give to and for our country!! 11/11/2011

We had a very successful open house over the weekend, of course we advertised the open house quite a bit in the week leading up to it. Naturally we had a lot of calls and and questions, mostly pleasant, but of course there's always one that makes you feel like maybe you are in the Twlight Zone.   One Realtor called us to let us know that she was sending her Buyers over by themselves because she was busy with another set of Buyers and wouldn't be able to join them. When my manager told her that she had to accompany her Buyers to the open house if she wanted to put in an offer for them, she accused us of being unprofessional for not extending the professional courtesy of showing the home for her.   Let's think about this for a minute. We spent 2 weeks meeting with the Seller, getting the ... 11/09/2011

I recently saw a Nordstroms ad that said that we won't be seeing any Christmas/Chanukah decorations in their stores for another month because they believe in celebrating only one holiday at a time (I am assuming they'd like to get Halloween and Thanksgiving out of the way first).   This got me thinking... somehow we've gotten to a place where seeing Christmas decorations in stores as early as September is the norm. In a way, it's really exciting to feel the holidays coming around, but I can't help but feel like the holidays are being forced on me way too early.   I know it helps a lot people be able to slowly do their Christmas shopping and take advantage of layaway programs, which is a huge help in this economy (including most of our Sellers), so it makes financial sense for the stores... 11/03/2011

  This is Jodie Foster, the newest member in our furry family. Jodie was a teenage pregnancy case, a sad statistic. She was not spayed, had a litter way too young, and was unable to take care of her kittens.  Jodie and her kittens ended up at Miami Dade Animal Services, a very high-kill shelter and not a very good place to be. Jodie was so stressed out when I rescued her that she had started ripping her own hair out.   Jody in a cage with her babies at Miami Dade Animal Services (a very high-kill shelter)     We rescued her with the intention of fostering her until we found a forever home, but we just couldn’t part with her. Jodie loves the humans in our house, but still is wary on our 3 other cats. She’s still discovering us and slowly getting used to having a family, so she still hiss... 11/01/2011

The only thing better than little ones in Halloween costumes are adorable animals in Halloween costumes! The Broward County Animal Care Shelter, where I volunteer, is having their “Petacular Halloween Fall Fancy” on Saturday, October 29 from 12-3pm. There will be treat bags for everyone, pictures with your pet, and lots of fun. Bring your kids, your pets, and considering fostering or adopting a new friend! 10/28/2011

Is your Buyer REALLY pre-approved? I was asked to write another article for the South Broward Board of REALTORs Magazine, so I started thinking of issues to write about. I didn’t have to think too long before everyday problems gave me an idea, and that is…Is your Buyer really pre-approved? Again, I am writing from a listing broker’s perspective, and I am hoping that some of my insight is useful to your everyday practice. First I will address Buyers who are taking on a mortgage. Take a really good look at the Pre-Approval Letter. Does it include the type of property, the type of loan, the terms of the loan, and direct contact information for the Loan Officer? If not, ask for a Pre-Approval Letter with all the necessary information. If so, wonderful, but you are still not done. Did the Lo... 10/24/2011

I know this probably isn’t the first blog written about safety in our line of work, but it crossed my mind and I wanted to get some feedback from everyone. If you really think about it, we put ourselves in a potentially dangerous situation every time we show a home. Most of my agents are very attractive women (and a couple of attractive men), and while we always keep tabs of who is going where, once the Agent is alone with the Buyer, anything is possible. We obviously can’t do a background check on every potential Buyer, so how do you protect yourselves?         10/18/2011

  Renewed trust for tough times   Does it feel like trust is one of the major casualties of the economic meltdown of 2008 – followed by the “Great Recession,” the “Jobless Recovery” and now the threat of a “Double Dip Recession?”   Weren’t we assured that home values were destined to go up and up and up?   There have been lots of promises that help is on the way—and lots of warnings of scams and schemes that have only served to confuse the matter. So where’s a homeowner who’s underwater or overleveraged to turn?   Here’s the bottom line: the choices that homeowners make when they feel they are at the end of their rope will have ramifications for years to come on their ability to qualify for credit, their job prospects, their security clearance and their overall finances. When a family’s... 10/14/2011

Bank of America has come out with a temporary new program specific to Florida called the Florida Enhanced Short Sale Relocation Assistance Program, which shows some promise for Sellers who are eligible. If you're a Bank of America homeowner who has been thinking about doing a short sale, now is the best time to take advantage of this temporary program. Under this new program, Sellers who would normally qualify for programs such as HAFA or Bank of America’s proprietary program, would receive a beefed up incentive to relocate. Eligible Sellers who initiate a short sale with Bank of America PRE-OFFER between September 26 and November 30 would receive $5,000.00-$20,000.00 relocation assistance. HAFA approved short sales give sellers $3,000.00 for relocation assistance, so this is a huge dif... 10/06/2011

Today’s post is not entirely about real estate, but the underlying issue is definitely real estate related. Everyone who knows me on here and in the professional realm knows that I do short sales. Everyone who knows me a tiny bit more knows that I am an animal lover, and I try to do as much as I can (fostering, volunteering my time, etc) to help these poor animals that have nowhere else to go. The other night I came across this story on our ABC affiliate, Local 10 WPLG (click here or on the picture below to read and watch this story). Abandoned animals have become a huge issue in South Florida lately, but now people are deliberately abandoning these poor animals into the Florida Everglades…which are full of alligators and snakes. Since all the shelters are filled to their brim and can’t... 09/28/2011

Winding Ridge Davie Florida Winding Ridge in Davie FL is a walled, intimate, gated community that when complete will be home to only 10 exclusive properties. Winding Ridge Davie FL is located off of the very prestigious Nob Hill Road, home to such neighboring communities as the exclusive Long Lake Ranch Estates and Westridge.  Just south of I595, it is easily accessable to countless South Florida destinations. The community of Winding Ridge Davie FL borders the very beautiful, Pine Island Ridge Nature Preserve which provides access to equestrian trails, and is the highest natural elevation in Broward County. This is truly a one of a kind, prime location, with a magnificent view of The Ridge.      Bergeron Park is located just steps away from Winding Ridge on Nob Hill Rd. This is a wonde... 09/26/2011

  National Foreclosure Actions to Housing Units by RealtyTrac   Whenever I research the latest foreclosure and distressed property statistics, the sheer number of Americans facing the stress of losing their homes amazes me.  It is my goal to help as many homeowners I can either stay in their homes or relieve the burden of their mortgages. Knowing that there are so many that need my help is a driving force for me to continue doing what I do.   I’m excited about acting as a resource for more homeowners who have questions about what they should do. As always, if you know homeowners who may need my help, have them contact me immediately! Together, we can put them back on the path to financial stability.   09/19/2011

Want to learn more about what is happening at the local Jewish Community Center in Davie, Florida?    Click on the link below for a very thorough schedule and program guide.  Those who are new to the neighborhood may want to consider joining the JCC as it is a great way to get involved in the community and meet new friends.  There is always something to do at the JCC and the center has a nice family atmosphere.    http://www.dpjcc.org/clientuploads/FallProgramGuide_FINAL_2011_lo_res.pdf 09/16/2011

Friendship ~ None of that Sissy Stuff     ·         When you are sad ~I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry cheat who made you sad. ·         When you are blue ~ I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you. ·         When you smile ~ I will know you are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in. ·         When you are scared ~ I will rag on you about it every chance I get until you're NOT. ·         When you are worried~ I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining. ·         When you are confused ~ I will try to use only little words. ·         When you are sick ~ Stay far away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have. ·         When you fall ~ I will laugh at your cl... 09/16/2011

    Green Realty just sold another great home!   Green Realty was the listing brokerage firm representing the Sellers on this sale that closed on 09/13/2011.  I always say that every short sale closing is reason for celebration, and this one was no exception. Working with short sale lenders can be a nightmare, but our sellers were just wonderful to work with. The buyer's agent, Paula Jones, with Charles Rutenberg Realty, is a true professional and I wish her buyers a wonderful life in their new home.   Property Information: Address: 1204 NW 125th Terrace Sunrise, FL 33323 Complex: Sunset Bay at Residences of Sawgrass - HOA Fee: $165 Monthly Details:  3 Beds, 2.5 baths, 1,529  Square Fee Listing & Sold Price $ 150,000 - MLS #: M1510941   Do you know someone who needs to sell their home?... 09/14/2011

Town of Davie located in Broward County FL. Davie is an equestrian community. In Davie you will find many people riding their horses on the streets and in the community parks. I have created this video to give you a view of Davie. The Town of Davie, Vista View Park, Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Flamingo Gardens, and Davie Real Estate are all shown in this video. To learn more about the area and Davie real estate FOR SALE, contact us today. 09/11/2011

BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED THANKSGIVING WEEK   The Broward County School Board unanimously voted today to close schools for the entire Thanksgiving week.According to a school representative this will save money for the school district. Parents now need to plan for the extra days off, which will be November 21st and November 22nd.     09/07/2011