Yesterday morning while getting ready to head for the office, I checked my email like I always do. I came across a lead from Trulia that just came in so I responded right away to the potential client. We corresponded a couple times back and forth and eventually set an appointment to look at a small ranch up in Reche Canyon later in the afternoon. In the MLS it stated that the home was located off a dirt road and since I had just washed my car, I decided to take the Suburban. We met at the property, and they loved it, so we went back to my office to write it up.
I sat down at my desk and fired up the computer. I told them I'd like to do a quick search of the area to see if there was something that they might have missed in their search just to be safe. They agreed, so I pulled up 40 comps to browse through. They had already seen most of the listings that I had pulled up, but one caught their eye, so we jumped in the Suburban and headed back up the hill.
This place was great, but it didn't have as much level land for the horses. Even though there was not as much flat land as the first property, it had many other things going for it, so they decided to go with the new listing. It was starting to get dark, so instead of going back to my office they wanted me to send the offer over by email and they would return it in the morning. As they left, I said I was going to hangout and enjoy the city lights for a bit. Below is the view out the front yard.
They are big into horses and they saw a horse trail in the distance. Since I had "The Beast" with me we decided to try and climb the hill. It was a very small, rugged, tight and steep dirt road... great for trail riding with your horsey, but driving around with your clients is another story. We hit a few spots that were a little hairy and I have to admit, I was breaking a sweat halfway up the hill. The client that was sitting shotgun asks "have you ever 4X on a road like this"? I said yes, but never with anybody else in the vehicle. He had a nervous laugh and his wife got quite in the back. The adrenaline was definitely flowing a bit, but it wasn't really too bad... it was just another exciting adventure in the life of a Realtor. :)
The Beast came in handy today. When it doubt... whip it out.
Enjoying the city lights of Moreno Valley and Riverside
Mo Val at night.
Anyway, to wrap this up, I get back to the office after my site seeing tour, and I get a call from my buyer. After their 1 hour ride home back to L.A. they decided to go with the original house. I guess the 2nd home with a view lost out to the bigger spread.
The moral of the story is... If you get a lead respond immediately. You just might find yourself on a memorable adventure... you never know what that email or voicemail has in store for you. Oh, and if it says "dirt road" in the MLS... come prepared. -Cory
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