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Is Having 2 Offices worth it with Gas Prices so high?

By Kathy McGraw

Real Estate Broker/Owner with CELLing Realty CalBRE #01445865

November 15, 2007 06:46 PM

Having more than one Real Estate Office can be challenging, especially with the price of gas. Why would anyone drive 3 hours to get from one office to the other? Would you drive this far, and if so what would you do with your time?

Me, I love the drive; not the expense, but the drive itself. I love having 2 Offices, both in different areas, and both with their own rewards. My 2nd Office is fun, it is in a small town, mostly vacation and second homes, but many people live here year round. I love the fact that I can spend hours just exploring, appreciating nature, and being able to relax.

This picture was taken while I was working....I had started my day very early doing paperwork at the Office, then went to join my family for a few hours of fun. "Lunch Break" ........Can it get any better than this?

During the season, the Colorado River is a wonderful place. The Annual "Snowbird" Migration starts in November, and ends around the end of April/May. When the Snowbirds leave the "River Rats" come back...a never ending migration of people......

Yep, having 2 Offices can be a lot of FUN!!!!

CELLing Realty in Big River, CA

Big River, CA, my 2nd Office is just 12 miles from Vidal Junction (HWY 95 and 62), and 7 miles to Parker, Arizona. It's a small community that has a Market, Laundromat, RV Parks, a big Community Park, Senior Center, and a couple restaurants. Anything else is just 5 minutes away in Parker. In fact Big River is so entwined with Parker that although it is in California, it doesn't have Day Light Savings Time (same as Arizona).

I love working here, and at the end of the day, I drive over to Parker to fill up as the gas is about 30 cents per gallon cheaper; just another benefit of having 2 Offices :)

Usually after gassing up, the Sun is setting, and other than Hawaii, I have never seen such Beautiful Sunsets.

This particular Sunset was so beautiful that I pulled over and took the picture. It was only when I got out of the car that I realized the colors were reflected in the Aqueduct.....Natures Photoshop.....

Sunsets like this remind me of why I love what I do, and why it is worth it to drive 3 hours between 2 offices........

Sunset in Big River, CA

By: Kathy McGraw- CELLing Realty

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Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Kathy, Sometimes I am tired of driving because I do so much of it. And then I run into the most beautiful things that I never even knew about on Long Island---and forget about the distance! Your sunset is awesome and I see why you don't mind the trip at all.

Nov 16, 2007 02:53 AM

Rey Gallegos

Supreme Lending (NMLS ID #2129) - Las Vegas, NV

FHA, VA, Home Loans Las Vegas, NV

You have to love our industry. We have the flexability to stop and have a long lunch with family! This is so important!

Nov 16, 2007 02:57 AM

Joan Mirantz

Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH

Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

I can certainly see why you do it...and why you love it.

But when gas hits $4.00????

Nov 16, 2007 10:41 AM

Harold Watts

Teles Properties - Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs Real Estate Blog

Kathy,

Keep doing what you love to do. The picture of that sunset is awesome!!

Nov 16, 2007 11:51 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

William-So true that sometimes we are so involved in "life" that we actually miss all the wonderful things around us. I am glad you got the chance to experience some of the Beauty back east :) :)

Carole- I remember a few of your Posts where you found that new "Temple" and a few other things....yes this does add some emotional energy to the trip......I hope you find many more treasures along the way :)

Rey- Yes, the flexibility to not only help clients, but to also enjoy our families, and the world around us are the "paycheck" that we gave up by working as Independent Contractors.

Joan-when gas gets to $4.00 I will still do it....because I will still fill up in parker where it is cheaper than in California....we will always find a way to pay for what we enjoy :)

Harold- thanks for the compliment on my sunset :) And I plan to make sure the rest of my life is spent doing what I enjoy........and currently it is Real Estate :)

Nov 16, 2007 12:13 PM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Kathy, That's the most beautiful sunset photo I've ever seen....and I've seen many. It's wonderful that you choose to see the positive sides of having the two offices and you make the most of whatever area you're in.

(-:

Nov 16, 2007 01:42 PM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Wow...that gorgeous sunset view...the cheaper gas...hey, what more could you want? :)

Nov 16, 2007 02:12 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I agree having two offices can be a great thing! Especially what your two offices have to offer you! Before becoming an agent, I don't think I would have hired someone from an office that was 3 hours away, but having the office in town would have at least made me think you were there full time.

Our office just closed it's second office and you can read about that in an upcoming blog that over all, I am a little disappointed to have to write.

Nov 16, 2007 04:39 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Jo-Anne- Thank you for the compliment on the photo, and yes finding the Positives are much better than concentrating on the negatives.

Sally- Exactly...what more could I want :) :)

Todd- I remember one of your Posts, or comments where you mentioned they were closing one, that is sad as it affects your working in one of the States if I remember correctly......

Our 2nd Office is a full Office, albeit a small one (it's a small community) and our reputation there is pretty good :)

Nov 16, 2007 06:29 PM

Ann Heitland

Retired from RE/MAX Peak Properties - Flagstaff, AZ

Retired from Flagstaff Real Estate Sales

Kathy -- you are a glutton for punishment! My gosh, a 3 hour drive? I'm in real estate so I could stay close to home. My 9 mile commute to the office is almost too much for me! Hope you drive a hybrid vehicle! (I do -- love my Toyota Highlander, on which I am getting 50% higher gas mileage than on the 2001, non-Hybrid model that I had before).

Great pictures!

Nov 17, 2007 05:51 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Hi Ann- LOL that's funny.......if I only had to drive 9 miles not sure what I would do :) :) I love driving.....or at least I love the Drive, as it is pretty much mostly in the middle of nowhere for more than half of it.....good time to think, and just enjoy the time :)

Thanks about the pictures, and no to the Hybrid, not yet at least :)

Nov 17, 2007 08:51 AM

Ann Cummings

RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Kathy - what a stunning picture that is of that sunset! Absolutely gorgeous, and seeing something like that makes whatever it is all worth it, doesn't it? Beautiful for sure - and thank you for sharing such natural beauty here with us.

Ann

Nov 17, 2007 09:44 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Ann C.- thanks....yes I loved this Sunset...and was amazed at the colors reflected in the water. It did indeed make everything that day worth it. :) :)

Nov 17, 2007 10:51 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Kathy- It is now official and the office is closed! I blogged about it last night and the process should be an interesting one about changing offices. I'm going to take my time on this one and either drop my license in that other state or find an office that I think will help me as much as I can help them.

Todd

Nov 18, 2007 06:55 AM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Todd- I'm sorry to hear this, but your idea is a good one of going slow, and finding somewhere that you can both benefit each other. I will come find your new Post......thanks for letting me know.

Nov 18, 2007 11:53 AM

Desiree Daniels

RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

God I want to just jump into that sunset.... stunning. Are you ready for your trip?

Nov 18, 2007 12:16 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Hi Dez- Hey you remembered...yep, I leave Wednesday, and I'm ready :) :) and my camera is going with me....want to see what that other Island has to offer......thanks for the compliment on the sunset....I loved it and just had to stop and get the picture.......hey, are you ready for your trip....we're going about the same time aren't we?

Nov 18, 2007 12:26 PM

Desiree Daniels

RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Have a safe trip. Enjoy yourself. No, I am not going till the 26th of December :( Not soon enough. Hug Sally for me!!

Nov 20, 2007 04:45 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

That sunset is awesome Kathy. Quit the real estate stuff and become a professional photographer. You have the eye!

Dec 02, 2007 02:13 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA