At Dickens-Mitchener, we take pride in our dedicated agents. We will do what it takes to get the job done and to make the client as happy as possible. Cathy Speizman is one of our valued agents who shows dedication and loyalty to each and every single client. This story is just an example of the lengths she (or any of our other agents) will go for a potential or past client.
A little over a year ago, a young couple came to Cathy wanting to purchase a home. Soon after contacting Cathy, they found their dream home in Eastover Hills. The house was listed for over $500,000. They immediately put in a bid which was quickly rejected by the bank. Soon thereafter, an almost identical house in the same cul-de-sac sold for $450,000. After they found this out, they submitted another offer to the bank for $450,000.00. They hoped that the recent comparable would encourage the bank to reconsider. The bank eventually accepted this second offer, and while the home was closing, it was revealed that there was a sizeable Federal Tax Lien on the home. Cathy said that from this point on, it was an emotional roller coaster but that she was willing to do whatever it took to get her clients their dream home.
Cathy and her clients had to find an attorney who was willing to take on the case. There were several steps involved in dealing with the IRS in an attempt to have the lien removed so the property could close. While everyone was waiting for the IRS to remove the tax lien, there was a miscommunication at the bank, and the property was scheduled to be foreclosed on. Cathy went down to the court house to attend the foreclosure sale to see if the property sold to a third party or would go back to the bank. The foreclosure had been postponed because of the federal tax lien and had been rescheduled for a later date. After much persistence, the bank granted an extended amount of time to have the lien, and postponed the foreclosure to allow time for this to happen. The tax lien eventually got released and the couple was able to close on their dream home, where they currently reside.
Cathy worked on this project for countless hours over the span of more than six months just so she could get this home at a fair market value for her clients. All parties involved were committed to this and worked as a team to see it through. This is what we call “The Dickens-Mitchener Way”.












































Amelie’s French Bakery
Famous for its incredible pastries, café fare and European style espresso bar, Amelie’s French Bakery has brought sugary goodness to the art’s district of NoDa since 2008. This bakery/coffee shop is famous for being open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, apart from Christmas.
Since opening, Amelia’s has grown to a staff of sixty people, expanded into the space next door and opened a location in Uptown Charlotte. Amelie’s was nationally recognized by President Obama this year for creating such a successful, savvy business in the middle of a nationwide recession. The Obama administration wanted to know what the key to success has been for this company through these hard economic times when so many other businesses have failed. With its eclectic decorations, live music and fun atmosphere, it is a place that almost every person can love and enjoy.