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Mohave County, AZ Real Estate News

By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
These words by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle look at both side of the same coin. The coin is each of us.Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.We often acknowledge others who have talent, who are true professional real estate agents.  These are the agents when we see their phone numbers or emails we inwardly smile knowing if a real estate transaction happens the end result between us as agents will be positive.We also recognize those agents from their past behaviors have demonstrated mediocrity in the past. Real estate transactions with these agents is often like pulling hen’s teeth.Talent is a skill and can be developed. For example, understanding the real estate contracts and other documents. Then writing up the information for the MLS with clear ...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Selling dirt is not glamorous. Nor in NW Mohave County typically a high dollar sale.Yet there are so many reasons why I❤️ Selling Dirt!#1 – Supporting Folks and the American DreamOwning real estate is the American Dream for many individuals, The reality is numerous buyers do not have tons of cash. However, these American Dreamers have enough to buy some dirt for under $25,000. Payment for this is in cash or owner carry financing. I continue to smile as I read the generous recommendations from my real estate clients and then see the progress they have undertaken over time is truly amazing.#2 – Meeting Incredible FolksFrom buyers to sellers to fellow professional real estate agents to community members, I have been given the opportunity to connect with so many good-hearted people. Relatio...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
How often are we told to draw up real estate listing agreements or purchase contracts by sellers or buyers and then nothing happens?  Often this seems like hurry, hurry, wait, wait.We know that we have established and confirmed good relationships with our clients who have shared they trust us.  And yet, these documents remain unsigned. Sometimes our clients are busy, but they still want to sign the listing agreements or purchase contracts. Maybe the clients are waiting for wire transfers to show proof of funds to signatures of other principals involved in the transaction to even becoming ill. Regardless of the reason, we as professional real estate agents must demonstrate patience in our behaviors.Yes, internally we are thinking these real estate listing agreements or purchase contracts...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Often professional real estate agents hear of first time home buyers dreaming of buying a home. Yet, these potential home buyers fail to understand that “dream” demands  saving sacrifices.  An immediate sit down by those first time home buyers is required to review wants and needs versus actual financial behaviors.These saving sacrifices might include a review of these purchases: Cable and other subscriptions   Internet Clothing   Household   Mobile devices Vehicle from payments to fuel to insurance Dining out    Fast food including expensive morning coffee Consider, that expensive morning coffee has an average cost of around $4.00. Presuming a 5 day work week, those purchases would amount to $20.00.  With 50 weeks for a typical worker, that amounts to $1,000 annually.The question after...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
In sales, I have observed some salespeople rush their clients.  If sales is the "transference of feelings" and "people buy from people they know and trust," then it makes practical sales sense to slow down.Don’t rush your clients!During these past eight years of being in real estate sales, I am surprised as how many of my real estate clients became my clients because other professional real estate agents rushed them.  Some of these “rushings” included showing properties that failed to meet the real estate client’s needs and wants. Another rushing behavior was failure to explain each document to their clients before asking for the client's signature.  Then as often in sales, rushing the client to make a decision, "better make an offer now" before someone else makes an offer was frequent....
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Today is the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States. Regardless of political perspective, every President has a “Heavy Load” to carry as he is sworn in.“You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him to a heavy load.”Bear BryantEach of us as individuals have been hooked to a heavy load though our pulling of that load will not impact millions of individuals, but just a few. Yet that impact is just as important for those few.As professional real estate agents, we also have a heavy load to pull from residential to commercial to vacant land listings, to purchases, to due diligence, to overcoming unexpected close of escrow obstacles. Our failure to successfully pull those loads may jeopardize the hopes and dreams of our clients be they sellers or buyers.  And that f...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
The other day I read this quote:"A picture is a poem without words."Quintus CornificiusFor many who may be somewhat older, we learned of poems in our earlier educational years. As a refresher, one definition of a poem is per Collins Dictionary:A composition in verse, usually characterized by concentrated and heightened language in which words are chosen for their sound and suggestive power as well as for their sense, and using such techniques as metre, rhyme, and alliteration.Over the years I have several favorite poems. Now taking the words of Cornificius, I remember some picture or photographs stirring my memory of  my favorite poems.My favorite poem is still by Robert Frost The Road Not Taken. The backyard of our home in Indiana bordered a forest and the family farm in NW WI had fore...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Often professional real estate agents request client reviews on Zillow, Facebook, brokerage websites, and sometimes those requests are granted.  Imagine my surprise when I received this client review on Zillow by B.Lee "I recently worked with Leanne to sell a difficult piece of land with a challenging access road, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. Leanne's communication was always timely and clear. She promptly notified me of all offers and prepared counteroffers efficiently. Her advice throughout the process was invaluable. Leanne truly went the extra mile, taking excellent photos of the land and even ensuring my property, which didn't have a formal address, was listed on Zillow. She is a true professional and I highly recommend her services." My broker, Elise Harron, sent...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Golden Valley, AZ is nestled between three mountain ranges. There is the Hualapai Mountains to the East, the Black Mountains to the West and the Cerbat Mountains/Cliffs to the South. With peaks , plateaus, unusual buttes to rounded ridges, these mountains make for incredible sunrises and sunsets.As Golden Valley, AZ is considered high desert, the temperatures encourage many snow birds to winter here.  Additionally, in recent years there seems to be more individuals living full time in travel trailers and recreational vehicles.Maybe that is why vacant land properties here in Golden Valley, AZ and elsewhere in Mohave County, AZ are becoming more popular.What I hear potential buyers want is to leave the busy, crowded, noisy cities for a slower, less crowded, more peaceful life if not just ...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
In rural areas where there are washes, flood plains, easements, water allocations, poor road access, etc., selling vacant land is not easy.  Patience is required as well as a seller who understands these issues.Recently I sold this 2.35 acre parcel north of Highway 68 in Golden Valley, AZ. The seller is happy because he tried to sell it himself and had no offers.Working with a professional real estate agent who is also a REALTOR® the seller quickly saw more views from the local MLS twice monthly reports. I physically showed this property a couple of times.This property had two very significant hard to sell issues.First, was road access. The road was literally washed out and became a wash as you can see from the featured photo. Four wheel drive was necessary as the wash was quite sandy a...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
“True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.” Charles Caleb ColtonAs a New Year begins, there are new opportunities to meet friends you did not know here on ActiveRain along with in one's own community.  “Let us be grateful for people who make us happy, they are charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”Marcel ProustWhen we read the sincere and authentic comments on our blog postings, we are grateful for those who have taken the time to read our words and share their thoughts. Then often we may make the time to meet fellow ActiveRain members in person.“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.”Lucius Annaeus SenecaSeneca’s words resonate with me especially here on ActiveRain along with t...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Eight years ago when I entered real estate, I wanted only to be a buyer’s agent and focus on selling homes because I didn't' know what I didn't know. Then reality happened after working with residential buyers along with vacant land buyers and sellers.Those early experiences revealed to me selling dirt as a listing agent or as a buyer’s agent was a heck of a lot easier.  Given I am older and want some “me time,” changing my target market was a "no brainer" as it has been said.Why do I Iove selling dirt? Let me count the ways.First, dirt usually doesn’t have the time demands of selling residential properties. Second, the inspections usually are far fewer. Third, the time length from opening to closing escrow is often much shorter and financing is cash. Fourth, usually I only travel to th...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Staying organized as a writer or a blogger has always been part of my writing DNA. As a past business writer for the Post Tribune, Sun Times and Chicago Tribune, nBiz a business journal out of Houston TX (19 years and still writing) and along with other blogging forums, I realized I needed a way to stay organize especially if I wanted to share a past article’s link.Messes aren't my friend!My excel sheet is similar for each forum, but is also different. Organizing my ActiveRain blogs begins with keeping each month separate though all are on the same sheet. I start with the first article I post for the current month, #1 (Column A) and then count up until the end of the month.By the way the second sheet in this excel file is the monthly goals for the current year. Currently my minimum mont...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
People remember business names and logos such as Apple to Nike. In real estate to stand out in the crowd or what I call be the Red Jacket in a Sea of Gray Suits, requires a name that says it all and still differentiates itself from other similar businesses.Here in Mohave County there are approximately 1,700 licensed real estate agents. Lucky for me I connected with DIRT ROAD REAL ESTATE via its agent Elise Harron  in our search for a property here in NW AZ.  As someone who undertakes significant research when making a serious decision, the DIRT ROAD REAL ESTATE website was the only site I found that directly linked to other resources such as the AZ Well Registration. For me this spoke to both Elise's knowledge, professionalism and ethics.As I am entering my eighth year as a professional...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
"Indecision is a decision not to take action."Leanne M. SmithOften individuals fail to take action because they are undecided and that indecision is already an action. This strategic thinking countdown that began in December of 2024 hopefully provided some insight for these simple two reasons: To better your real estate practice To provide more “me time.” Life is simple though not easy.Leanne M. SmithStrategic thinking, just like life, is fairly simple. One sits down and starts thinking about the past, the present and the future. However, as in life, strategic thinking is not easy.However, the more one strategically thinks, the left side of the brain (logic), and then infuses those “what if moments” which are more right brain, creative, inspirational thoughts, the desired end result sho...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Since I truly love selling dirt here in Mohave County and especially Golden Valley, AZ, I have witnessed a lot of vacant land properties where the anxious owners made improvements. These improvements included: Clearing the property Septic installation Well Fencing Electric to the Property Line Rural water to Property Line Water Meter   RV Ports or Vehicle Ports RV Hook Ups RV Pads Power Pole Power Pole with Meter Sheds Pads for Sheds Large Workshops Pads for Workshops Surveying the property Unfortunately, LIFE happens.  Suddenly those plans for that last home, that snow bird recreational property or that future horse ranch have been sidelined.One of my clients bought 5-1 acre lots with power and water in the street. The client’s goal was either building homes on these lots or selling va...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Being small business owners without any employees create a lot of demands. For professional real estate agents, these demands start sometimes as soon as the emails are opened in the morning until late at night.This quote helps to remind us about me time."You can’t pour from an empty cup."(Source Anonymous)Making me time is critical for an individual. Also, the lack of personal time creates imbalance with one’s professional life. To avoid this imbalance, I created a personal action plan with these six categories. Again, the first section of this action plan includes personal values, personal vision, current mission and personal self-affirming tag line.Additionally, this one page action plan has Key Performance Indicators which can be monitored weekly. Then these eight Growth Goal Categor...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Taking action requires time. Time is a limited resource as time is a constant. No one can manage a constant. All one can do is to better manage himself or herself. If you have read many of these posts within this series, there may be a question of how do I keep all that planning on track so I can take the right actions to ensure my real estate practice is successful?After researching and reviewing numerous one page business plans, I discovered these gaps: Critical Goal Categories Core Foundational Statements of Vision, Values and Mission  Company Tag Line Dashboard of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Areas for goals often lacked Target Dates and Completion Dates. What I did for my executive leadership clients, small business owners and sales professionals was to create the Growth Action...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
"Your never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S.LewisHappy New Year! 🎆Today is the first day of 2025. For many individuals, today is a day off from work, a day to dream about new desires and a day to reflect on the past years.In all that dreaming, possibly it may make sense to confirm there is balance in those dreams. Often our goals that are dreams with endings create an imbalance in our personal lives.Possibly the dream is to make money for our family and in doing so we fail to invest time with our family or our friends.  Maybe we are so busy planning our work and working our plan we ignore our health, our mental well-being?Today might be a day to revisit one’s professional goals and one’s personal goals with the desired result to confirm there is balance between...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Today is New Years Eve. Many people are making those annual New Year Resolutions. However, the results of those resolutions are not good with 80% giving up by Mid February and 9-12% sticking with them until the end of the year. (Sources Various including ABC News and Baylor College of Medicine)There are various reasons for these resolutions failure, but one that is not noted is the lack of balance. Human beings have two lives, the professional life and the personal life. When there is a lack of balance between these two wheels, the desired results are often not achieved.Balancing one’s professional life wheel and personal life wheel is essential to achieving the desired results.  For example, if professional real estate agents are not healthy or mentally fit, then working those erratic ...
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