Do you want to wake up every morning and be able to enjoy this, or maybe just a stroll on the beach? How about having your morning coffee on your balcony overlooking this view. Ormond Beach is a great place to live! Watch the sunrise over the Atlantic, and the sunset from one of many river front docks overlooking the Halifax River, part of the Inter Coastal waterway.

 I think that this is one of the nicest areas, most beautiful areas in Florida. We are still a small town, but only a short drive to Daytona, and about an hour or so to Orlando and the Mouse house. We have the best of both worlds. We live in an area where you get to know your neighbors, and enjoy a peaceful traffic free beach. But if you enjoy the night life and attractions you can go for the day and then come home to your little piece of heaven.                                                    

Whether you enjoy participating in water sports or just watching while you enjoy relaxing on the beach this is the place to be. There's not many days a year that you can't enjoy the beach, even if it's just for a walk. Do you like fishing? Well you can fish just about anywhere for anything. You can throw a line in while you spend the day on the beach, or fish from a dock or bridge in the Halifax. If you have a boat your options are endless.

We have wonderful Winters, we get a little cold weather for a day or two, and then it's back to 70 degrees or so. The Winter is a great time to spend a day at a theme park, the cooler temperatures make the day much more enjoyable.

                                                                                                            How could you not love this?

 This is a picture of the Halifax river at sunset. We get to see these spectacular sights everyday. Do you ever get the opportunity to see manatees, otters, blue herons, egrets, whales, dolphins, seagulls, gators, deer, and maybe even a sea turtle? You can here. A few years ago my son and I had an otter cross the street in front of our car going from one canal to another while we were driving through the loop. The loop is a twenty-six mile circle (loop), and about half of it is the essence of old Florida. The wildlife is amazing, and you are just minutes from your home.

Well, I hope this made you want to come and see what Ormond Beach is all about!!

Lets All Remember Those Who Gave Their All!! 

 The Arizona Memorial 

    My husband and I were very blessed to be able to go to Honolulu a few years ago, and while we were there we when to Pearl Harbor. I was raised to know what Memorial Day stands for, but after visiting the Arizona Memorial I have a whole new perspective about this day, this day that was intended for us to remember and honor those that gave their ALL for us. So we can live in a country were we have freedoms that we don't even think about, that we often abuse and don't appreciate, and almost always take for granted.

                                                                         Arlington National Cemetery

I think back to those who fought for our freedom from; England, France, Spain, and then the freedom for all Americans during the Civil War, for all the lives that were lost during two World Wars, two wars that were never declared war, but were called conflicts Korea and Vietnam, the first war with Iraq, and now another war with Iraq, and Afghanistan. I wouldn't begin to know how many have died through all these wars, and how many more will. But I do know one thing that they died for one reason they believed that freedom isn't free. It costs more than gas, than food, or anything else you can put a dollar sign on.

                                                                                     Twin Towers 

Our freedom should be cherished; everyday even when we want to point fingers and complain, (and I'm not saying that we don't have things to complain about) but we should stop and decide what is really important. My mom used to say "If it won't matter a year from now, it is probably not that important." With the economy slow, gas prices ridiculously high, our dollar weak, a president, I won't go there, and candidates that are, well I won't go there either. We still have the best country in the world, a country worth fighting for. We should all be praying for our country and our leaders, even if we don't like their policies.

When I think of America, I think of Americans; not Italian Americans, or African Americans or Irish American...  just Americans. Unless you are an American born Indian your ancestry came from somewhere else. The thing that has always made us a strong country was our unity! I fear we are losing that, I fear we are becoming the rich and the poor, the domestic and the foreign, those that think they should be able to do whatever they want to with no accountability, and those with no compassion.

I hope this Memorial Day we all stop and thank a veteran, pray for the families that have lost a veteran, and pray for our wonderful country. Pray that we become united and strong in purpose, that we know how blessed we really are and we appreciate our freedoms. I hope everyone will take a moment from your day and remember those that gave their ALL!!!!!

Are you having a hard time getting your contracts to close? The mortgage industry has lost it's mind! Just kidding, they have just made our jobs a lot more difficult. Jeez, we have to earn our commissions, but first you have to understand the changes in mortgages. There have been so many changes in the last couple of months it is next to impossible for mortgage brokers to keep up. With that being the case imagine how hard it is for the rest of us.

If you are selling real estate I honestly feel you have to get a grip on all the changes in order to really be of help to your customers. I am working with Realtors that don't have a clue about what has happened, and the changes that have taken place. Like the term "declining market", and what that means to buyers and sellers. Do you know what has happened, and how to explain to your customers what it means to the sale of their home, or the purchase of one? If you don't then you need to learn, go ask a reputable mortgage broker someone you trust, and have used in the past. They won't mind telling you the criteria for obtaining a loan, and if they do then you probably need to take your business elsewhere.

I know it is hard to keep up with all the changes in our line of work, but it is really important that we all take the time to be informed. To make sure our information is correct and up to date, whether it's an FHA, VA, or conventional loan we need to at least understand how they work.

2007 is over and we're almost at the end of January. I think this is going to be a very good year!!! I have started it off on the right foot, with the right attitude. How about you? I talk to so many realtors who are still hanging on last years business. They are still thinking it will come back if I sit in the office and wait. I think it is time to develop new skills, new attitudes, and new techniques for 2008. I really think last year was the time, but it is never too late.

If you didn't make the sales last year that you needed to, and you are still doing business the same way this year, what makes you thing anything is going to change?  You really better get moving or your going to miss out on some wonderful experiences. You need to be prepared to work hard for your money, the days of just letting your business run itself has been over for a long time. If you aren't ready to put in the time, effort, and money maybe you should look into a new career.

I am meeting wonderful people who now have a lot of financial problems because of a real estate market that took advantage of everything. Mortgage companies gave loans to people they knew couldn't make the payments. People bought homes they knew (deep down inside) they couldn't afford. Realtors had a false sense of security. Money was spent as if it were free, greed took over, and now there is a world of hurt. It is going to take a long time for the real estate market to recover.

So to all the Realtors who think business is just going to jump in your lap, and predict that everything is going to turn around in a year needs to think again. If your not willing to put in the hours, to acquire the training, to spend the money, and to work harder and kinder than you ever have in the past. You aren't going to make it. I really am trying to be helpful, but there are some of you out there who need to be done. Stop complaining and start changing. It is going to be a great!!

I know History is boring to some, we remember from High School all the dates we had to memorize just to past the test. Now that I don't have to remember the dates I find History interesting and exciting. I have a friend and customer who was born and raised here. When I say here I mean she was born in Holly Hill, because Ormond (Beachside) was nothing but palms, underbrush, snakes, gators, and mosquitoes when she was a baby. She was a teenager during World War II and I could listen to her stories for hours.           

                       This is the Marker on A1A at the Watch Tower 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I have lived here for over 33 years, and there is so much I didn't know about our wonderful area! Some of what I am writing I can substantiate, and some I can't so you can make up your own minds as to the validity of it all. We all know the long strip of land from Mantanza to Ponce Inlet is called a Peninsula, and a Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides. Well the truth is we are an Island, surrounded by water on four sides. According to my friend that is because during World War II Mantanza was dredged so our Coast Guard could get some of the ships they were building in Ponce Inlet out to sea by two Inlets. This was to confuse the German U-Boats that sat off our shore and sunk most of the boats as they left Ponce Inlet. After dredging Mantanza the Germans had to watch two Inlets instead of one so more of our boats made it out.

  This is one of only two Watch Towers left from World War II. Teenage boys spent shifts watching for German U-Boats. This tower was restored about 3 years ago, and is located in Ormond By the Sea.

Convoys of Army trucks used Rt 1 as there only means to transport food, medical supplies, weapons, and other supplies to our soldiers here in Florida. My friend told me of days when she couldn't cross Ridgewood Ave to go to school. She and her friends had to wait at least two hours and if they still couldn't get across, because of the convoys then they could go back home for the day.

As teens there wasn't much to do as far as entertainment went, but there was a bowling alley on the boardwalk in Daytona Beach. It was opened on Fridays nights, and of course they were under blackout conditions for most of the war (especially on the beach). They entered the bowling alley through the first door which had the glass painted black. The entrance had no lighting, when they had the door completely closed then they would go through black out drapes that hung floor to ceiling. Then they had to make sure they were closed with no light peering through before the next people could enter the building. She said once inside they would have a wonderful time and not think about the war.

With a little looking and investigating there is so much to see and explore right here in Ormond Beach and the surrounding area. There are Sugar Mill ruins, Forts, gorgeous gardens, Museums, restaurants, and so much more. What a great place to live!!

I haven't written a blog in several months. I have many excuses, but none worth telling. I have to be honest I have been working very hard to make a living in this real estate market. I can't complain the year could have been a lot worse, and it could have been a lot better. I know there are a lot of agents who can't say the same. I have been very fortunate to have been able to keep my head above water, but it hasn't been easy.

I hear a lot of complaining, and very negative things from fellow agents about how terrible things are. I am not discounting that, for many things are terrible. We are almost at the end of this year, and now is the time to take a hard look at how we did business. How did we deal with our customers when they wanted to list their homes with price tags that we as professionals knew would never sell? How did we spend our marketing dollars? Did we spend them to please our sellers, or did we spend were we (as professionals) knew they would have the biggest impact? Are we still sitting open houses in areas that we know don't do any good? Are we telling people what they want to hear instead of the truth, no matter how hard it may be?

I know I have changed the way I do business right down to telling sellers NO! I turned down a listing yesterday, because I knew I could not sell the house for the money the owner wanted, and I told her that. I also told her I could give her the names of a 100 Realtors that would list it for her at that price (but it still wouldn't sell). My advise to her was to not put it on the market unless she absolutely had to, and if she did she needed to realize what it's value is. She told me she appreciated my honesty, and I had been very nice about the whole thing too. I think when the time is right she will call me back, we'll see.

I have also spent a lot of my marketing dollars on me this year. By that I mean my business, I have gotten as much education as time and money would allow. I know that things are going to get better and when they do I want to be ready!! Things are changing as I am writing this, interest rates are down 1/2 of a percent. I'm ready how about you??

I just want to wish all the moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, and all the woman who have a positive role in the life of a child a Happy Mother's Day. You are such blessings to those you influence and love. Your job is long,relentless, painful, stressful, but most of all wonderful. Enjoy...

This Ormond By-the-Sea home is in move in condition, and priced to sell! 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, Florida room, new well pump, sod, and furniture make this something you can't pass up. Only $148,000 Call Donna Dosch 386-235-3385 or visit www.DonnaDosch.com for more information.

First let me apologize to Anna for taking so long to do this, I am sorry!

1). OK, here is something you probably wouldn't know about me. I find it very hard to talk about myself. That is why it took me so long to do this (not very juicy, but true).

2) Lets see I was raised in Virginia and consider myself a southerner, but the truth be known I was born in Long Island, New York. I moved to Woodstock, Va when I was three, so I think I can be considered a Southerner. Please!!

3) I have worn many hats in the work world, (I get bored easily) I was food and beverage manager when I was 23 for the Sheraton in Ormond Beach. I also opened and managed a shoe store for the Knepper's called "Happy Foot" in Daytona Beach near the Volusia Mall. That was an interesting job, and they were and are good friends, and great people to work for. My husband owned a garage (auto repair) for almost 30 years here in Ormond By-the-Sea, he retired last year. I worked with him for 7 years at the shop. Pretty amazing really we were together 24/7 for 7 years and still like each other! Then about 2.5 years ago I got my real estate license, and joined Century 21 Sundance Realty. About 6 months ago I got my brokers licence and became a broker associate, and a couple of weeks ago I got my e-PRO. That brings us up to date.

4) I home-schooled my kids for 8 years too. Those were some of the best years. We made lots of memories, and did lots of work. My kids got a lot of opportunities they would not have had in regular school. The met Jeb Bush and got to speak with him when he ran for Governor the first time and lost to Lawton Chiles.

5) We always have a Christmas Eve open house and in 2004 my best friend booked a trip to Hawaii from my computer on Christmas Eve. She is from Oahu so my husband and her put their heads together and we left the day after Christmas for Honolulu. We stayed at the Sheraton Moana Hotel in Waikiki Beach for a week. 2004 had been a very tough year for us and this was the perfect vacation. Oh yea, we paid for it.

Well nothing juicy, but I'm happy and I really enjoy selling real estate, and being a part of Century 21 Sundance it's a great company with some really wonderful people in it.

The one thing that always stays the same in the real estate business is it's never dull or boring! Every transaction is different. I honestly learn something new everyday. You really have to stay on top of learning curve to make in this business. I don't think you can ever have enough education or experience in real estate. I am learning to be more organized (this has not been one of my strongest areas in the past). I am spending a lot more of my marketing dollars on education and organization. I know some people think this money shouldn't be called marketing money, but the end results are priceless.

 I know there really has been a dry spell for a while, and it so easy to become down, lax, and even lazy when business has been slow. Now is the time to hon those skills and learn new ones if you want to stay on top. I am getting a lot more activity on my web-site, and they are leaving more information to get in touch and have an open line of communication. Sometimes it is very easy to feel overwhelmed by it all, but there are ways to keep it all in check. Talk to other agents ask them what software they use, or what piece of technology gets the most bang for the buck. Most people are happy to help or give advice. Do your homework it will pay off in the end, but be patient all good things are worth waiting for.

We are in a wonderful business and have the opportunity to meet and become friends with many people. People who start out as customers and become much more. I have very blessed to meet so many wonderful people, and develop friendships that will last for years to come. So take the time now to bulid relationships and you will reap the benifits in the future!!!

                                                 Life Is Good!!!!!