Dagmar Sands www.DagmarSands.com

I actually love GOING BACK TO BASICS!

I have often heard agents say they hate prospecting, they don't like
to attend all those classes or all the luncheons or all the meetings.
WHY is that?

I find that picking up the phone and calling a past client re-acquiants you
with them. They may share the news or a new baby, new job, new
friend or neighbor needing to buy or sell. That's prospecting and it's
also saying "HI" to someone who thought after you've been paid
you totally forgot about them. I had a client this week call me to
say - "Boy, I have to give it to you, ever since you've sold us our home
fifteen (15) years ago, you still stay in contact with Christmas cards,
calendars, updates and postcards. We love hearing from you."

I love reconnecting with my colleagues at classes. I just took the
2009 GAR Contract Class this week. I saw a friend Broker who
started with Royer Realty with me in the late 1970's. Deja Vu! It's
great to see old friends and meet new ones in these classes and learn
the latest in our industry.

Luncheons and meetings are also exciting for me. I have just recently
attended a brunch that John Wieland had in one of his neighborhoods.
I love visiting his homes. I had an opportunity to talk with the agent
in the subdivision and have an insight on their programs. I attend
monthly meetings regularly where I meet my colleagues with whom
I work closely. Attorneys, lenders, investors, developers, builders.

GOING BACK TO BASICS and doing things that others don't like or
WILL NOT do makes you different. That is why I call myself so
often a "PURPLE SNOWFLAKE." I like being different and I love
going that EXTRA mile. Come and walk this mile with me!
"The World is In Your Hands - when working with Dagmar Sands"

I remember when I told someone one time that I sell churches and
I called myself a CHURCH SPECIALIST! They laughed at me, but that's
o.k. I laughed all the way to the bank. I happen to LOVE to work with
churches.

I started my company - Real Estate International and as our name
indicated we worked with International clients. Our Romanian,
Korean and Russian clients contacted us regarding selling them land
to build their church. Then a pastor asked if we could sell them an
existing church. I remember in the 1980's when there were no MLS,
FMLS, or directories that listed churches for sale. Back then we only
used the MLS books. So I spend 3-4 nights typing all the churches into
my database. I created a postcard and mailed them to every church
in the metro Atlanta area asking them if they want to sell or list their
church. That's how it all started.

I have been very blessed that I have helped to sell 12 churches their
land or their facility to another church. I have even been able to
assist selling one of the churches to an International School. I love
challenges and I love thinking out of the box. I find selling churches
very peaceful, very rewarding and I feel blessed that God has led me
to this special calling. Last year I sold the church that I was baptised
in. It was very close to my heart. I have even helped apartment
developers work with churches and if the congregation and the Pastor
of the church are OPEN MINDED it's amazing how there can be benefit
to their congregation and their church by TEAMING UP with us!

Churches are SEEKING other CHURCHES. Many times members of the
church relocate, they outgrow their facility or members that remain
are elderly and there is no growth in younger congregation. That is
when I can help look at the goal of the church and help them to sell their
facility or relocate to a new location. I never look at a property for
what it is - but I look at it what it can be. We have sold buildings to
Churches that had a totally different purpose but worked out to be
the best location for a church because of the land, parking, structure.
Let me be your REALTOR of your church if you need to make changes.
I am also very happy to take referrals from other Realtors who don't
think they have the experience or the buyers for a church. We have
the database, we have the International connections and we have a
unique concept to get it done!

I have the privilege of leading the FIABCI-USA Luxury Properties Group and I
have had all the Luxury Property Specialists and Brokers to call in each month
and we discuss and share what is working in their own market.

This weeks call was very interactive and interesting and we talked about many
topics, technology tips and then touched on DRESS for SUCCESS! It is my opinion
that if you are going to be a professional you should dress like one. Who wants
to hire a broker that picks them with a dirty car, wrinkled clothes, jeans or sandals?
We all love to dress casual but there is a time and place for everything. Would you
hire an attorney to represent you in an important case that arrived in flip flops,
Hawaii shirt, cut offs? Of course you wouldn't! They should DRESS for SUCCESS!

I saw the news talking about President Obama changing the dress code in the
White House. Personally I have always thought of Mr. Obama as a sharp dresser
and I didn't think that he looked bad in his white shirt and a tie, however, when
they showed President Bush and his regard for the oval office being the only
place where everyone wears a jacket, it looked Presidential. Queen Elizabeth
has always been very particular about how she presents herself and dresses.

They say that "Clothes don't make a person" but I say that they make a first
impression and sometimes you don't get a second chance at another impression.
Make the first one COUNT! DRESS for SUCCESS!

We're UNDER Contract! Yes, I have been able to successfully say that this week
about 1 (one) out of 4 contracts I have written. Why only one? You guessed it.
The other three (3) are FORECLOSURES and SHORT SALES. And why are they not
signed yet? Because the listing agent representing the bank or institution that
has the other 3 will not return phone calls, doesn't acknowledge receipt of the offer,
takes time to get back with you and on and on and on and on....... sound familiar?

I remember the days when I SOLD 9 homes in just one week! This was not that
long ago, but the other agents were cooperative, they were professional and they
cared. Today I wonder how these banks choose who represents them. Oh yes,
and the people at the bank that choose some of these agents get paid a salary
and they really don't care.

GUESS WHAT? This ECONOMY will NOT CHANGE until we get rid of the standing
inventory and I wonder when the banks wake up if this inventory will still be
STANDING. Today I showed 4 homes and I would not buy any of them based
on the condition they were in. As a matter of fact I don't think I would take
them if they were FREE. I saw termites, water damage, filthy carpets, run down
exterior, mold, nasty appliances, questionable structures.

I have always believed in one saying: "If it's meant to be - it is UP TO ME".
Well, I still believe in that and that is why I will do my part to make a difference.
I promise to do the BEST JOB as a professional for every single client I work
with. Whether it is a BUYER, SELLER, INVESTOR or another AGENT or
Professional I work with like an appraiser, inspector, attorney. I will do MY PART
to be professional and do my job that I am hired to do. I will pick up the slack if
I have to of those that don't carry their own weight. I will PAY IT FORWARD
because I know if everyone else starts caring as well - TOGETHER we can change
the course of our ECONOMY and TOGETHER we can change the WORLD - one
CITIZEN at a time, one child at a time and one person at a time. I will promise
to do this right here in Johns Creek, Georgia where I live and do it with my own
company, friends, relatives and clients. WON'T YOU HELP ME?
Thank you so much. Dagmar Sands - Real Estate International, Inc.
"Your Realtor for LIFE - NOT just one Transaction". Let me be your World Class
Real Estate Broker, your Friend, Your Realtor.

City of Johns Creek, Georgia - now 2 years old and with a positive outlook. Sponsor Wendy Butler
introduced her company and services and then Mayor Bodker, UGA Graduate introduced his staff,
his city council and his city attorney.

Mayor Bodker in his speech talked about how we are much better than we were 4 years ago. He
showed a survey of 300 residents from Johns Creek and results showed that many of them were
very pleased with what the city was doing and what the future plans hold.

The main issue that was pointed out in Johns Creek is still the traffic. 2008 Accomplishments
were:
a) New Police Department and program called PACT - Police And Community Together.
b) We have 77 new Fire Fighters in Johns Creek now with new equipment.
c) QRV's and City of Johns Creek has been named 1st city in Georgia as a Heart Ready City.
d) Emory Hospital at Johns Creek has brought lot more medical groups, services and offices
to the area. $14,000 donation was made by the hospital.
e) City is working on new recreation and parks.
f) New Comp Plan was started in 2007 and completed in 2008. This is a living document and
a blue print for the city to follow.
g) Budget - Mayor Bodker touched briefly on the budget which is approx. $47.4 million. The
City of Johns Creek still has 85% residential and 15% commercial. Until that percentage
changes to having more commercial revenue and amenities for citizens of Johns Creek
the city will have shortage of revenue to accomplish all of it's goals and improvements.
Citizens are encouraged to support businesses in Johns Creek - this is called the "CHOOSE
to USE JOHNS CREEK and Johns Creek BUSINESSES.
h) December 1, 2008 was the Founder's Day. Photos were shown and also of the parade.
i) Mayor Mike Bodker is promoting the city by joining and leading the Metro Atlanta Mayors
Association, Georgia Municipal Association and having Influence in the Region on Sales
Tax and Traffic.
j) 911 Partnership - Sandy Springs and Johns Creek with help of IXP NJ Company.

P.R.I.D.E.
Professionalism
Results
Integrity
Dedication
Empathy

The following was the 2009 Economic Reality which was not as encouraging but REAL.
The fact that the country is going through recession which affects even our city, the
GA jobless number has jumped, more layoffs still happening, economic free fall,
property assessment freeze, budget pain spreads, etc. We've come a long way but
we are facing many upcoming challenges. Mayor Bodker mentioned that transportation
is our #1 problem. We will need $15 million over next 5 years to get us caught up. He
talked about leveraging the numbers through a BOND REFERENDUM.

He ended his speech with a quote "Start Thinking in terms of possibilities".

As a resident of the City of Johns Creek, Georgia I personally think that due to the
economy, layoffs, uncertainty and residents having their own personal issues to solve
with 401K, retirement, school tuituion for colleges, etc. they do not want to hear that
they have to pay for road resurfacing, traffic issues, etc. Residents want amenities,
they need services, they need to survive. We already pay for these things through
our property taxes, payroll taxes, income taxes. They all voted for being it's own city
to have their taxes lowered, not to have to pay for Grady and other services they did
not get a benefit from. I would love to welcome your comments on this. Do you think
Bond Referendum is a way to go? Especially since we know how much money is being
spent to bail corporations, banks, Wallstreet out? Thank you, Dagmar Sands