12 Days of Thanks Giving 2017 - Challenge by Debbie Reynolds
Partners In Life and Business
I met my future husband in Psych 101 when he and I were just 18 years old! You might think that was an omen and you might be right! Rick and I got married at 20 years old, just kids by today's standard, and even our parents thought we were crazy! As you read this you notice how real estate runs through the fabric of our relationship.
Focused
The difference between us and other teenagers was our focus. We knew what we wanted and had a plan to go out and make it work. This plan wasn't written down, it was just part of our make-up.
The Cost of Ownership
We bought our first townhome right before our wedding at $16,000. It required $800 down and $800 in upgrades and at a wage of $1.65 an hour, it required 3 jobs between us to make it work. My husband was making $3.50 an hour as a "belt boy" at UPS. At that time, we never realized that this company would be a big part of our future. A conversation for another time!
Renting vs Owning and... "The Bug"
Rick was going to Cal State Fullerton and worked at UPS in Los Angeles and I was working in Whittier and City of Industry (2 jobs)! So we had to live in a fairly central area. That area for us was West Covina. Two bedroom apartments were going for $185 a month and you could buy a 2 BD townhome with laundry room for $165 a month. So the decision was easy. This is how the real estate bug got started. BTW - that 2BD Townhouse is around $250,000 in today's market.
Real Estate Was In the Blood
So the real estate bug was in our blood. Many huge real estate developments were blossoming in the '70s and '80s and we enjoyed visiting and seeing the latest improvements and amenities in model homes. Besides water skiing on the Colorado River, this is what we did to pass the time and relax!
How We Ended Up In Sedona
As a couple when you marry young, you have similar and divergent paths as you grow. 
Most marriages can't take that that shift but we realized what was at stake and our focus, kept us on path. We raised a family, along the path, we bought and sold our own homes. Starting the second part of our life, we decided to enjoy that time in Arizona. During our vacations, we spent a lot of time in Palm Springs and on Arizona lakes and the Colorado River! The desert was a great starting point to find our next home. We gravitated to Sedona Arizona and have been here every since!
A Second Career
After settling into Sedona, we again started looking for another home. At that point in our life my husband urged me to get my real estate license. Owning and selling six homes over the years, I was always looking for that next home! So I took the classes, studied and passed the exam. The bug never left me and you know the rest of the story!
Rick enjoys photography and he minored in marketing and took up web design as a hobby. So he helped me get started and we have worked together ever since.
Thankful For What We Have Together
I am so thankful for the 46 + years we have spent together making a family and as has been stated others - we compliment each other and work well as a team. Something I NEVER thought we could do!
45 Years of Marriage In 2017
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