Cary & Kim Johnson's Blog

Sad News for those from "da burg"

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:30:52 -0800

Kim and I both grew up in the Pittsburgh area and were both struck today when the news was announced that former Steeler's Broadcaster Myron Cope died today.

We both remember back in the good old days when we would turn down the NBC guys on the tube to hear Myron and Jack Fleming announce the games.

For those of you who may not know, Myron developed the Terrible Town and gave the profits to charity. We missed him already on the broadcasts and hope he's off to a better place...

Full story at http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-obit-cope&prov=ap&type=lgns

Cary in Margate

Another Affordable South Florida Home

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:57:45 -0800

We just listed another affordable home in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. Check out the details!

Cary Johnson | Coral Shores Realty | cary@johnsonteamrealty.com | 954-856-3169

4501 NW 33rd St, Lauderdale Lakes, FL

Great House in Great Neighborhood!

4 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $249,000

Year Built	1969
Sq Footage	1,719
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Another Affordable Family Home in a Great Neighborhood by The Johnson Team. Close to all schools and Lauderdale Lakes Municipal Center! Walk to the Parks! Don't drive by this house - come see it to be totally surprised! This 4/2/1 has new floors throughout - laminate in the living areas, marble in the baths, and carpet in the bedrooms. Fresh paint on the new knockdown walls and ceilings. Brand new oak kitchen with new appliances! Four good sized bedrooms - all feature mirrored closet doors and new berber carpet and blinds. The family room has room for a pool table or would make a great home theater. Fresh paint outside & a new roof too.Lawn sprinkler system has been redone to maintain the large yard. Fenced backyard has concrete pads for a shed & boat/rv parking. A full sized washer and dryer are included in the utility area of the single car garage. No HOA - bring your tax portability and make this "Surprise" your new home.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Attic	Washer
Dryer	Laundry area - garage	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Cary Johnson

Coral Shores Realty

cary@johnsonteamrealty.com

954-856-3169

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 21, 2008, 6:32am PST

Cities Raising Taxes -- They Don't Get It!

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:45:34 -0800

Having my coffee this morning and reading the local Sun-Sentinel I was floored by the article on the front page of Section B. You can read it here http://www.sun-sentinel.com/. 71% of the voters in this county and 64% state wide voted for Amendment 1, yet here we go with more tax requests. I fired off the following letter to the editor and I'd like your ideas:

I just finished reading Juan Ortega's Tuesday front page article Some cities considering tax increases. I can not believe the audacity of these politicians. Three quarters of the voter told them by approving Amendment 1 that taxes in Florida are TOO HIGH, yet here they are back at the well looking for more. We worked very hard to ensure the passage of Amendment 1, and we're making a claim right now that we'll work very hard to oppose any local tax increases! The voters have spoken - LISTEN! We understand that every budget has "Have tos" and "Want Tos" included. We're telling you there is no money for "Want tos" and you should get the spending on "Have tos" in line. The South Florida version of the Boston Tea Party has commenced, but we won't throw any tea overboard - we'll just work to throw unenlightened politicians out of office!

Cary Johnson,

Margate, Florida

Coral Springs Middle School Math Team Wins !!

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:47:58 -0800

We want to offer our hearty congratulations to the Coral Springs Middle School Math Club Team who won the 2008 Broward County Math Counts Competition sponsored by the Florida Engineering Society on Saturday February 9, 2008.

The team, headed by Mrs Alexandra Bayuk is the first to beat the team from the Nova Magnet Program in over five years.

Team members practiced weekly in preparation for the contest and expect to compete in the Statewide Competition. I just wish I would have taken their picture this morning, but this proud papa was a little slow Saturday morning...... OH WELL GOOD JOB GANG!!!

You gotta hand it to a bunch of kids who stay after school on Fridays and get up early on a Saturday morning to voluntarily take math tests.... but we sure are proud of our Mathletes.

Cary in Margate

New Listing in Margate, Florida

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:36:19 -0800

We Just listed Another Affordable Condo in Margate, Florida!

See more details at:

6501winfieldblvd.buysellmargate.com

Cary Johnson | Coral Shores Realty | cary@johnsonteamrealty.com | 954-856-3169

6501 Winfield Blvd A-48, Margate, FL

Affordable Margate Condo

1 Bdrm Condo

offered at $62,500

Year Built	1974
Sq Footage	920
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$265 per month

DESCRIPTION

Affordable 55+ living in South Florida. This freshly painted 2nd floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit has new carpet & new A/C. It's clean, updated & ready for fast move in. Nice screened balcony overlooks beautiful garden area. Large master bedroom features a big walk-in closet with closet pack for ultimate use of space. The complex has a heated pool, laundry facilities & keeps maintenace charges reasonable. This unit has access to a storage cage and 1 parking space and the city bus stop is right out front. The building has a new roof since Hurricane Wilma and the garden area is being re-worked to restore the beauty. Where can you live for less in Broward County??? Calling all Snowbirds -- come every month! Figure the price of a long weekend in a hotel, then figure the monthly cost of owning this adorable condo? Why not own instead of throwing $$ away!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Walk-in closet
Living room	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Guest parking	Laundry on-site	Storage space(s)
Swimming pool(s)

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Cary Johnson

Coral Shores Realty

cary@johnsonteamrealty.com

954-856-3169

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 6:18am PST

New Listing in Margate, Florida

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:36:08 -0800

Cary Johnson | Coral Shores Realty | cary@johnsonteamrealty.com | 954-856-3169

6501 Winfield Blvd A-48, Margate, FL

Affordable Margate Condo

1 Bdrm Condo

offered at $62,500

Year Built	1974
Sq Footage	920
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$265 per month

DESCRIPTION

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Walk-in closet
Living room	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Guest parking	Laundry on-site	Storage space(s)
Swimming pool(s)

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Cary Johnson

Coral Shores Realty

cary@johnsonteamrealty.com

954-856-3169

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 6, 2008, 6:18am PST

Broward Realtors Plan Ahead-Open House This Weekend

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:32:53 -0800

I know your weekends get crazy so I'm trying to give you some heads up on these open houses for a super deal in Coral Springs. Do you remember when you told customers - sorry no 3 bedroom houses under $350K. Why not look at a condo? Here is the solution for those buyers.
This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage located in Ramblewood South. It's just south of Royal Palm Blvd. between University and Riverside. On a small canal, with the house set way back from the street so there's tons of parking in the long driveway.

Check out all the details by clicking here 8793nw21ct.buysellcoralsprings.com

Please come visit me - I don't want to be lonely!

Cary from The Johnson Team specializing in affordable South Florida Real Estate

Florida Property Tax Vote

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:09:36 -0800

Well, the polls are closed. I just came in from working the poll 7-7 and to be honest, I don't have a feeling one way or the other. I heard tons of oh yes I'm for that" and very many "I'm a teacher, fireman, cop, city employee etc that just can't support that".

I sure hope it passes, we did our share to get the word out, but take it or leave it, it's time for the fence sitters to get off the fence. We either have tax reform or we don't. Adjust one way or the other, find the home you love and let's go make you the best deal possible.

Cary in Margate.

Quick & Easy Dinner

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:11:12 -0800

Boy, did I mess up today. Last night I posted a family favorite recipe for dinner that I was putting in the crockpot this morning. But I got so caught up with the voting thing this morning and I forgot to put dinner on. Here's a great standby recipe (that we're now having tonight) when you're out of time and you want something better than take-out! (I double the following recipe for the 4 of us)

Barbeque Chicken Pizza

1 Large Boboli Pizza Crust

1 Boneless Skinnless Chicken Breast (or if you want to cheat....1 large can of cooked chicken)

1 Cup Shredded Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese

3/4 Cup (divided) of your favorite barbeque sauce (ours is Sonnys)

1/4 Cup of Green Onions, chopped

1/4 of Red Peppers, chopped

Preheat oven to 450. Saute the chopped chicken in 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil until done or juices run clear. Then mix chicken with 1/4 Cup of bbq sauce. Spread the remaining 1/2 Cup bbq sauce on the pizza crust, then layer your cooked chicken, peppers, cheese and green onions. Bake for 10 -15 minutes or until golden brown.

(Optional: Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for a little kick)

Serve with a tossed salad and enjoy!!

Florida Voting Mid-Day Update

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:50:02 -0800

Hi all,

I've been standing at Precinct G002 and G023 all morning and the vote is pretty heavy in Margate. Tough to tell how the Amendment 1 vote is going. Younger homeowners are almost all a YES while the 55 and over Condo crowd is a NO.

This is going to be extremely close. If you haven't voted yourself please get out there and cast your vote yes on 1 -- and take a friend with you -- and tell ten people to vote yes on your way !!

Going to grab a sandwich and head back outside - more updates later in the day.

Cary in Margate

FLORIDA GET OUT THERE AND VOTE

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:32:31 -0800

Good morning everyone!!

I know we keep harping on voting, but the fact is we need your help. Please get out there and vote for Amendment 1. Cary is already out there at the polls helping the Realtor Association. And I promised him that I would get on here this a.m. and remind all of our fellow Florida Realtors to get out there and help pass this amendment. I know it's not exactly what we all want; but something at this point is better than nothing!

Every Vote Counts!! Yes on Amendment 1

Kim

Politicians and the DO NOT CALL LIST

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:31:15 -0800

I just got home and checked the answering machine like I always do and we had "9" calls today from political groups. Romney called twice, Ruddy called twice, Huckabee called once, McCain called once. I also had people call and ask me to vote "for" Amendment 1 and "against" Amendment 1. My machine was full and my home phone is on the Do Not Call List. (Guess you figured out that I'm a registered republican).

What bugs me is, if I made calls like this I would be subject to $11,000 fine each. Isn't funny that the guys who write the rules don't include themselves?

Let me know what you think!!

Cary in Margate

P.S. Vote yes on "1"

Easy Dinner Recipe

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:11:28 -0800

Just thought I would pass along a good recipe that we're having for dinner tomorrow nite. This one I throw in the crockpot and leave for the office. This roast beef recipe always turns out tender and full of flavor. Best part is....it looks like you spent all day in the kitchen!!

Roast Beef and Veggies in Crockpot

6 small white potatoes
5 carrots peeled and cut into half
1 onion, chopped
2 1/2 lb. boneless beef chuck roast (or London Broil works well too)
1 can Campbell's® Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
1 can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Celery Soup
1 soup can of water

Directions:

Put beef in crockpot and place potatoes, carrots and onion around the roast. Mix soups and water and pour over all. Season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.

Cover and cook on LOW 10 to 12 hr.* or on High for 5 to 6 hours.

Enjoy !! Kim

Floridians, Did your revenue double in the past 5 years?

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:13:17 -0800

Just a rhetorical question this morning... In the state of Florida Property Tax Collections nearly doubled from $16 billion to $30.2 billion from 2001 to 2006, yet the vote tomorrow on Property Tax Reform is expected to be a squeaker?

WAKE UP VOTERS! The city and state governments have been riding the "gravey train" created by the increases in property values and it's time to say enough is enough. Did they spend responsibly over the past 5 years? My opinion is they just spent and spent it all.

IT's time for the Florida Tea Party and while I submit that Amendment One doesn't do enough. It does something! Don't let another full year go by with no tax relief VOTE YES ON 1 Tuesday January 29th.

VOTE TUESDAY -- VOTE SMART

Cary in Margate

Did your revenue double since 2001?

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:09:53 -0800

VOTE TUESDAY -- VOTE SMART

Cary in Margate

Calling all Florida Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Builders (and your friends)

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:12:30 -0800

We've all been affected by the slow market. Now is the time to do something!

This Tuesday we have a chance to vote on Property Tax Reform. Now I have been one of the biggest complainers about Amendment 1. I don't think it does enough - period. But I am also a realist and understand that if we do nothing - we keep the status quo. Not Good Enough. Prop 1 MUST pass or we have no chance of a better market in 2008.

With all that said -- GET OUT AND VOTE YES ON 1. This is close -- latest polls say about 57% favor the amendment and 13% are undecided. Talk to your undecided friends. The message is - it's not perfect, but it sure beats nothing. So GET OUT AND VOTE AND TAKE SOMEONE ALONG.

And don't be swayed by the local governments crying the blues. Their tax base has more than doubled in the past 5 years and they just keep on spending. OUR income didn't double in the last 5 years - its time they start living within a budget too.

VOTE TUESDAY -- VOTE SMART!

Cary in Margate

In a hurry for dinner....here's a quick & easy one for Monday night

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:17:05 -0800

Picadillo

2 lbs. ground turkey or lean beef

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 medium onion chopped

4 tsp. chili powder

2 tsp. oregano

1 ½ tsp. cumin

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 can chopped tomatoes, drained

½ cup chopped pitted green olives

Salt and pepper

Optional: cooked white rice

In a large skillet heat olive oil, add onion, green pepper and garlic. Sautee until onion is transparent. Add ground turkey or beef and brown well, making sure to break up large pieces. Add canned tomatoes, spices and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer mixture for approx. 20 minutes. Add olives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5 minutes. If picaillo is to watery, remove lid and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Serve with white rice

Holy Cow! The Fed takes Action

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:33:48 -0800

Just announced -- the Federal Reserve cut the interest rate by 75 basis points this morning. The global stock market sell off is forcing action - this is a rare intra meeting cut.

IS IT ENOUGH?

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

A full point would have been better!

What do you think?

I think we're still in for a rough year. This is a reaction and not a sound policy. With gas prices still averaging over $3 a gallon, is there any disposable income to stimulate the economy? This rate cut should only be a start to getting "cheap" money back in the market

Cary in Margate

Lost Sale Leads Me to Think...

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:41:59 -0800

Calling all agents... here is a true story that unfolded for me over the past 9 months. I'm frustrated, happy for the seller, and confused all at once. Here's the story.

We took a listing last March on a nice 4 bedroom townhouse. At the time the comps showed a value somewhere between $340 and $350k. We listed for $349. The seller told us she was "in up to her ears and needed to get all she could."

Three weeks later we got an offer for $310K which was rejected immediately by the seller. We countered at $335 which the buyer rejected. I checked in with the buyer's agent a week later to see if there was any more we could do and was told "they bought over the weekend." Dead deal.

The listing sat the rest of the summer. Numerous open houses and loads of advertising failed to bring another offer. The market continued to dive. When the listing expired the end of October, the seller told me she was going with a discounter so she could "lower the price the amount she would save on commission." I was sad to see her go, but had spent enough time and money on a deal I figured couldn't happen at the price "she needed."

She listed for $295 with the discounter and it closed last week for $275K. As I spin the numbers I think she could have taken the $310 last April, paid my commission at the higher rate, saved nine months of hassle, and come out with more in her pocket than she did. But, hind sight is always 20-20 eh?

The moral to my story is... even a so called low offer -- that the seller "couldn't possibly afford to take" -- may not appear so low six months later and I probably should have done more to get the deal done last spring...

I ask, How do YOU convince your sellers it's not a low ball and you should take this offer?

Cary in Margate

One of a kind in Paradise Gardens IV, Margate, Florida

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:40:44 -0800

CARY HAS BEEN OUT WORKING AGAIN! CHECK OUT OUR NEW LISTING IN MARGATE FLORIDA

Owners have reduced the price on this Monarch (Largest in Plan) Model 2/2/2 home in Paradise Gardens IV, in Margate. This home really has three living areas, a formal dining area, and two master suites. This home was built in 74 but has been substantially remodeled since. The back porch was enclosed to make a 27 foot Florida Room. The bedroom and master bathroom were redone to accomidate a wheelchair. A sitting room/den/study with French doors sits off the Master. New flooring thru out with the exception of the 2nd master bedroom which awaits the buyers choice of carpet. The galley style kitchen has a newer range and refrigerator, and a newer full size washer and dryer are in the air conditioned (wall unit) two car garage. The entire house is covered by a central vacuum system. The roof was replaced about 2 years ago. This home sits right across the street from Oriole Golf Course (walk to the clubhouse) and right around the corner from the Paradise Gardens IV clubhouse that features a huge pool and even has covered shuffle board courts. The size and upgrades make this a rarity in Margate. See this home today!

Click the picture to view the Virtual Tour!

Two Weeks Until the Florida Vote on Property Taxes

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:02:30 -0800

While I don't think the proposed amendment does enough, I think any tax relief we can achieve is better than nothing. If you vote in Florida, Do Your Part to Stimulate the Real Estate Market! Vote Yes on 1!

Highlights of Amendment 1
January 29th 2008.

. Retroactive portability of $500,000 to January 1st 2007.
. 3% Assessment cap preserved.
. Increase homestead exemption.
. 10% Annual cap on non homestead properties.
. $25,000 Tangible Personal Property exemption for businesses.

If you need an absentee ballot, you must request it before January 21, 2008.

Please vote!

Cary in Margate

South Florida Weather Report

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:03:49 -0800

Good Monday Morning All.

I just caught the morning news and all the talk was on the N'rEaster hitting New England. Then I remembered watching the Packers and Seahawks in a storm on Saturday. You may or may not recall that Kim and I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. We spent 7 years in South Dakota while in the Air Force. We've had our share of snow... With that said,

right now in Pompano Beach it is 67 degrees - we expect a high of 72 today with a possible shower later on.

We don't say this to be mean, but to remind you that we're here and we have affordable homes and condos in South Florida so that you could be here too. Come visit us soon!!

Cary and Kim, The Johnson Team at Coral Shores Realty in Margate, Florida

South Florida Update

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:25:20 -0800

Good morning again from Sunny 78 degree Margate. Yup! it's beautiful again today!!!

We just wanted to give a shout out to the breakfast buffet at the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino (in our farm area.) We had a super buffet breakfast today. I had pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and Florida orange juice. Kim said the corned beef hash was excellent... but here's the point -- it was $2.95 each. With tip I was out of there for $9. I'll be a regular! All team meeting breakfasts will be held here!

If you're in the area on Monday thru Saturday, stop by, pick up a members card, and have the excellent buffet breakfast. And keep an eye out for a smiling Cary at a table near you. Say hi!!

Cary and Kim, The Johnson Team at Coral Shores Realty

South Florida is Still Affordable

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:31:30 -0800

Here are examples of our Affordable South Florida Listings

We would love to help you get out of the cold weather and into one of our affordable homes or condos. Check out our website at www.johnsonteamrealty.com for more information on the South Florida area. We live in paradise, come join us.

Cary & Kim, The Johnson Team at Coral Shores Realty.

Florida Weather Report

Cary & Kim Johnson (Coral Shores Realty) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:07:44 -0800

At a quarter to three on Tuesday afternoon the temperature in Margate Florida is 77 degrees. What is it where you are? If you're sick and tired of the cold and snow, give us a call. We have condos for rent in the Fort Lauderdale area starting at $800 per month and if you decide you like it here, we have 1 bedroom over 55 apartments for sale starting at $54,900.

Come see us soon in South Florida.

Kim and Cary, The Johnson Team at Coral Shores Realty