After nearly eight (8) years in real estate here in Mohave County, AZ, I thought it was time to appreciate others who have helped me became successful in this market and industry. Even with a very large home, I decided to host an “Appreciation of Summer” event at a local restaurant, The Red Cellar Bistro and Wine Bar, here in Kingman, AZ. The owners of this restaurant are property owners here in Golden Valley, AZ. One of my ongoing goals is to support local small businesses.This event was held on July 15, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm.  The food was fresh, finger food and a mix of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fruit. There were also non-sweetened ice tea, water,  bread and crackers including gluten free crackers.  Flat Bread Pizza and Salmon Bites were also served though not in the photo. The ... 07/16/2024

For those seeking vacant land as well as residential properties, zoning is an important due diligence action though often overlooked. Here in Mohave County, the acreage of numerous vacant land parcels might be less than the current zoning ordinance. What is required is contacting the County and specifically asking about zoning. The reason zoning is important is zoning can restrict the dreams of the potential buyer. Additionally, sometimes listing agents fail to undertake their due diligence.For example, much of the vacate land here in Golden Valley and other areas of Mohave County is zoned Agricultural/Residential (Ag/Res). A complete search of zoning may show Ag/Res, but the actual permitted acreage may conflict with the actual acreage of the parcel.  For example, what may result is 5 ... 07/11/2024

Mac Anderson founder of Simple Truths authored this book You Can’t Send a Duck to Eagle School: And Other Simple Truths of Leadership. In under 125 pages, the reader learns about these other simple truths beginning with “Leadership Would Be Easy if it Wasn’t for People”  and ends with these two chapters, “Identify Your Core Values” and "Walk the Talk."One of my favorite chapters is “Wisdom is Knowing the Right Path to Take…Integrity is Taking it.” In this chapter Anderson shares the poem “Myself” by Edgar Guest. I had never read it or even heard about it until I read this book. This poem begins with “I have to live with myself, and so…" and ends with “Whatever happens, I want to be Self-respecting and conscience free.”Yesterday, I was having a discussion with some fellow citizens about ... 06/02/2024

Life continues to provide unexpected relationships. Last week I stopped by my favorite local restaurant, Red Cellar  & Bistro to deliver a birthday present to a young friend who is the cook at this establishment. She had admired my purse so I bought one for her forthcoming birthday.Then I stayed for an adult beverage as I knew another couple also enjoying this small business.  As we were talking, another couple came in and a conversation started.A comment by this new couple was that the three of us at the bar knew each other. We all smiled and conversation flowed now between the five of us. I learned this couple was visiting from Arkansas. During the conversation, we learned: Both the wives of the two couples and myself were born near or in Chicago, IL. The husbands had connections to C... 05/07/2024

Often we hear of some making fun of all those “business lunches.” What I know is breaking bread with potential clients helps to build relationships, let me explain.This past week I met with a couple seeking to buy vacant land here in Mohave County.  As Dirt Road Real Estate does not have a brick-and-mortar office due to the size of Mohave County, I often meet potential clients for breakfast, lunch and sometimes just for coffee.My goal is to confirm I really want to work with the client or clients and the client or clients really want to work with me. In other words, let’s make sure the fit works for all concerned. This is truly an investment of time with money being secondary. Lunch happened at a quiet local restaurant in Kingman, The Red Cellar & Bistro.   We were able to review the “s... 04/28/2024

Sometimes we fail to listen for the nuances in our conversations that essentially are the building blocks that lead to trust. Just for a gentle reminder nuances are those subtle differences or distinctions in expressions, meanings or responses. (Source: Dictionary.com)Here is why both verbal and non-verbal communication are very important.This week I broke bread with two out of state buyers seeking vacant land in Mohave County, Kingman, AZ.  During lunch I shared my simple presentation packet. In the back pocket I included a list of resources, my own constructed Yellow Pages, to help those new to this area. This list is not a recommendation but rather a compilation of different government departments to small businesses.  What was interesting is this was the one document that had the mo... 04/27/2024

Honest people are honest people and hence why they continue to be victims of wire fraud. Currently during the first quarter of 2024, 1 out of 10 real estate transactions encountered wire fraud. Additionally, nearly half or 48% of the loans processed ($65 billion) were vulnerable to both wire and title fraud. (Source: Funding Shield)And the news continues to trend toward the negative side with wire fraud issues increasing over each quarter.Please as sellers and buyers follow the wire fraud advisory given by your title firm, your lender and your real estate agents if they are involved.Dirt Road Real Estate does not handle any funds. However, as a licensed local professional real estate agent, I do include a Wire Fraud Advisory in all my presentation packets. Additionally, the local title ... 04/19/2024

When visiting Historic Rt 66 in Kingman, AZ, tourists and current residents may be surprised to see this new mural that has been added to the existing plethora of murals. This newest mural is actually on Rt. 66 (Andy Devine Avenue) between a new small business coffee shop, Mudd on 66, and the original drug store that is now a secondary Post Office.Kingman, AZ prides itself on being the hub of Rt. 66. Historic Kingman, the original town/city, boasts many unique shops and restaurants. Yes Kingman, AZ does have a historic culture expressed through numerous murals. Watch for further postings about these small businesses on and near Rt 66 as well as history of Kingman, AZ. Feature Photo Courtesy of Leanne M SmithAny reproduction of Leanne M Smith’s blog for use by any AI or GAI, distribution... 04/18/2024

A recent comment by Endre Barath, Jr. on this posting, Remember This Sales Axiom, had me ponder even more about an article I had read that provided 24 reasons why belonging to a mega real estate team was beneficial to real estate agents. One of the most interesting statistics was that over three out of four team members had a positive experience working in a team environment.I wonder how many property sellers or buyers would share that same feeling not to mention other real estate agents who have worked with mega real estate team?From my experience and other local real estate agents I consider colleagues as well as clients, many of the 24 points are not present here in NW AZ, Mohave County as well as other states.First, the training of team members is poor to mediocre from compliance to... 04/14/2024

Yesterday I heard a frequent comment from potential real estate buyers. That comment was this:“I called several agents and no one wanted to show me rural properties or answer my questions. One agent gave me the directions to his listing and acknowledged he was the listing agent, but could not show me his listing.”This comment was made during a phone call as I was returning from a brokerage meeting to the east of Kingman, AZ near the Yavapai County Line about 50 miles from my home office in Golden Valley, AZ.  Fortunately, I was only half way home and was able to stop at a local fuel station on I40 and call back the potential buyers.Even though I had some other real estate activities to undertake, I responded to this potential client who was very frustrated. The end result was I invested... 04/02/2024

FACT: The real estate industry is indeed a 24/7 business. To think real estate is part time is a foolhardy belief.Professional real estate agents receive calls, texts and emails before 6am and well after 9pm depending upon the time zone. These communications happen between Sunday to Sunday and even legal holidays are not free from property tour requests. Then there are those short notice showing requests which can thoroughly mess up an agent’s “when” schedule.As real estate agents are independent contractors, the time of "when" they work is up to them. Now some will voluntarily accept “seat time” or “desk time” at the brick and mortar office while others will work remotely.My first residential sale which was my second property sale back in 2018 was a direct result of another agent faili... 02/27/2024

Whether one is buying a home, selling a property or just interacting on a real estate forum such as Active Rain, quality versus price is always a critical real estate decision.There are sellers who seek out agents based on quality type of service that is rendered or price based on compensation or fees for selling the property,  “the best deal.”My father who was a professional salesman shared clients be they in any industry and this includes real estate make a buying decision based on these three (3) basic factors: Price (Cost) Delivery (Time) Quality Dad also shared from his experience usually only two are present in any buying decision.Buyers want what they want now (DELIVERY)Buyers want a QUALITY product or service.Often, PRICE (Cost) is not the determining deciding factor.Of course, ... 01/23/2024

As the old saying goes a "picture is worth a thousand words."  FACT: Real estate photos sell vacant land and residential homes. Often one can observe that the listed property lacks photos and this is quite true for vacant land or “dirt.”Some Multiple Listing Services (MLS) will allow a county map as the only photo of the property. What this may suggest is the following: Vacant land listing is not readily accessible (vacant land is land lock) or the roads require high clearance, 4x4 vehicles Property has some significant issues such as deep washes to gullies, ravines which limit building and even placement of septic systems Listing agent has not invested the time to travel to the property This week I received a call from an out of state buyer interested in a one acre vacant land parcel t... 01/18/2024

Pros and Cons of Buying Rural Northern AZ Land FAQ's -- Why Buy?The Pros of Buying Rural LandAvailability -  Parcels of land in many diverse rural areas of Arizona are still available.  Many Arizona properties are available in 36 acre (or more) plots. The terrain varies greatly. Heavily wooded lots in hilly areas to ones that are sparse and open like in old Westerns.  In many cases you can find land with part of the work done! The well may already in and producing, or the  septic system, driveway or pad are already on the parcel. Savings on Vacations and Family Trips - Instead of spending money for vacations every year, find an area you love and create an affordable vacation retreat or hunting camp, with or without RV hookups, a septic, a small solar system and a well. Your family can c... 11/01/2019

19423 Mesa View Trail Kingman, AZ 86401 36 Acre Rural Canyon Lot - Power and Septic Home   Virtual Tour   Photo Gallery   Property Map   Financing   Request Showing   Contact Me   Elise Harron Residential Cell: 623 229-4130: Office: 928 715-8341: Website: Visit Website Price : $74,000 County : Mohave Property Type : Vacant Land MLS Number : 960522 click for more information and pictures Property Description Lookout Canyon Parcel with REAL power, less than 1 mile of dirt road, water tank and pressure pump are already there! Bring your RV and hook up to a livable situation tomorrow! This is a rare property within Willow Creek Ranch you cross NO dry creek crossings to get home, you look down the canyon from your own piece of it. You can be buried in the trees or in the open space already ... 08/18/2019

Technically, summer ends in 10 days. However, with 300+ days of sunshine, it feels like summer almost year-round here. That's one of the advantages of the Lake Havasu lifestyle. In fact, even in mid-September, our highs run into the triple digits. If you need a break from the heat, head over to the Mohave County Fair 2018 in Kingman this weekend. Located about an hour's drive north of Havasu, Kingman's temperatures run about 10-15 degrees cooler than Lake Havasu. That makes it a little easier to enjoy the outdoor fun at the fair.What: Mohave County Fair 2018 Where: Mohave County Fairgrounds (2600 Fairgrounds Blvd, Kingman, AZ) When: Sept 13th, 10 am to 9 pm, Sept 14th &o 15th, 10 am to 10 pm, Sept 16th, 10 am to 5 pm Cost: $4-$7, Parking $3 Contact: Mohave County Fairgrounds (928) 753-2... 09/12/2018

    Willow Creek Ranch Kingman AZ October 2017 Best Home Deals!  See all our Willow Creek listings – Willow Creek Land, Willow Creek Homes.See more about our Willow Creek Land listings here. Visit our Willow Creek Facebook page for the latest.  Homes for Sale in Willow Creek – Best Deals:  The best home buy this month is on Mapuana Trail and listed for $69,900. Tiny Home in Willow Creek Ranch.This 672sq ft home sits on 36+ acres in Willow Creek Ranch. Tiny Hm 40+ Ac Chicken Coop Willow Creek Ranch! Two bedroom one bath home with a mudroom, two patios, a spacious kitchen and cozy livingroom with views to die for - what more do you need. A small solar system provides a bit of power and sustains a refrigerator. The chicken coop is large and the chickens happy! There is a bit of enclosed st... 10/08/2017

   Willow Creek Ranch Kingman AZ October 2017 Best Land Deals!   See all our Willow Creek listings – Willow Creek Land, Willow Creek Homes. Click here to see this month’s best deals in large Willow Creek parcels with homes. Visit our Willow Creek Facebook page for the latest.Land for Sale in Willow Creek – Best Deals: The best buy this month is this 37.44 acre parcel on Lookout Canyon, listed at $25,000 or $677/acre. 37 Acres located in the Willow Creek Ranch Area. If you appreciate views this property is for you! it has beautiful views of the city of Kingman and the entire surrounding valley, must see! More info.   The next best land buy is a 36.1 acre parcel on Mariposa Lilly, listed for $25,000 or $692/acre. Quiet end of good road. This property has lovely views of the mountain and s... 10/08/2017

     October 2017 Windmill Ranch Kingman AZ Best Home & Land Deals! Visit our Windmill Ranch Facebook page for the latest!    Windmill Ranch Kingman AZ Best Homes Deals!  The best home buy this month is on 40 acres on Black Bird Road, listed for $124,000. This is a very cute small 2 bedroom 1 bath home on 40 acres up high in the Aquarius mountains perfect for a hunting, vacation or weekend getaway. The home is bordered on two sides by mile square sections of state land. The site is high enough so that there are plenty of trees, quiet, and privacy at the far eastern edge of Windmill Ranches. Kitchen and dining room are combined with a separate living room. The property is fully fenced and there is an on-demand hot water system that would need to be serviced and hooked up. The property is... 10/08/2017

  Rancho Santa Fe October 2017 Best Buys  Homes for Sale in Rancho Santa Fe – Best Deals: The best buy is on Rawhide Drive and listed for $229,000. Spacious floor plan, vaulted ceilings, lots of cabinets and a pantry, walk-in closets, large covered back porch, RV gate, private back yard, block wall fenced. New roofing 2017. New landscape 2017. Solar panels are being purchased. Plus two well built wooden sheds. More info. The next best buy is on Gemstone Ave and reduced to $287,000. This Custom Rancho Santa Fe Home has unique architectural features and upscale touches throughout. Built in 2001 by Pitts and Sons, this beautiful home has been loved and cared for. There are 4 bedrooms that are split for privacy and 2 full bathrooms. Master has big walk in shower, separate vanities and large... 10/08/2017