Buying or selling a home can be a frightening experience for both new and seasoned buyers alike. Throughout the process, not only are you tasked with navigating the stress of down payments, mortgage insurance, interest rates, and monthly take-home pay, but you also have to worry about meeting with loan officers and contractors. While the system can be overwhelming, you can get through it a whole lot easier with the help of a proficient Realtor. Fortunately for all us residing in the Pearland, Dear Park, Pasadena, and southeast Harris County areas, we have Monica Ocanas and Ruby Miranda of The Queen Team! This month, I would like to start by spotlighting Monica Ocanas. Monica’s passion for helping families began 22 years ago when she began her career as a legal secretary. For over two decades, she helped many people navigate the legal system, providing information and comfort to families going through complex legal challenges. Then, five years ago, she opted to make a career change and became a Realtor. Since her transition into real estate at Keller Williams, she has helped many individuals and families achieve the American dream of homeownership. I was friends with Monica long before she became a Realtor, and over the years, we have built up a great professional “Strengthfinder 2.0” contains great information for anyone looking to detect their strengths and improve upon them, its companion book, “Clifton Strengths for Students” was specifically written to help adolescent readers like Nathan and Natalie. I purchased this version to help guide them. As Natalie heads off to college and learns to make critical life decisions on her own, she might not find a book more helpful than this one. For Edith and myself, I purchased copies of the original book that is geared toward adults. Neither of us doubts the importance of re-evaluating our strengths at different points of our lives and careers. As time goes on, strengths can grow, change, and adapt. That is why some self-reflection is always pivotal regardless of where you are at in life. But in the end, even if we identify our strengths, such knowledge is useless if we do not act to hone our skills and improve our strengths. And with our constant access to the web through our ever-present smartphones, we have infinite resources sitting in the palms of our hands. From podcasts and books to online courses and videos, we no longer have any excuses. If we choose to remain average, that choice is ours. If we choose to become exceptional, that choice is also ours. So, this September, the National Month for Self-Improvement, I ask you: What is your choice? ... CONTINUED FROMCOVER
relationship and even refer friends and family members to one another’s businesses.
Alongside Monica, I would like to spotlight Ruby Miranda, another excellent KellerWilliams Realtor. Due to her career success, she has been dubbed, “Realtor Ruby, the Texas Queen of Real Estate.” Ruby’s No. 1 priority is ensuring her clients’ satisfaction, and she accomplishes this by listening to their needs and desires in order to find them their dream homes. Additionally, she believes that her online and offline marketing programs provide clients the edge they need to sell their homes for top dollar and in a timely manner. Both Monica and Ruby are phenomenal Realtors because they can guarantee great customer service. They are also on the cutting edge of marketing technology and know how to automate updates through emails and texts so that clients knowwhat to expect during every phase of the process. They are also fluent in both English and Spanish. If you are looking for help with your next real estate venture, be sure to reach out to either of these ladies. You can reach Monica at 832-814-4386 or Monica@realtorruby.com, and you can reach Ruby at 832-465-5988 or thequeen@realtorruby.com.
INSIDE-OUT GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE
Inspired by Food &Wine magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 8 slices of bread
• 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 cup apricot preserves
(Pullman works best)
• 4 tablespoons
unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
(preferably Parmigiano- Reggiano)
DIRECTIONS 1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve.
– Don E. McClu re, Jr.
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