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Real Estate Agent
Leanne Smith
The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Miles as Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends
Cell: 219.508.2859
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Real Estate Broker/Owner
Corrine "KoKo" Taylor
3615 Neptune Way Golden Valley, AZ 86413
Cell: 928-530-4353
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Golden Valley, AZ Real Estate News

By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Often, we do not see the future way.  Yet, sometimes our hopes and desires successfully find that way.  In these instances, I do believe God works in mysterious ways especially with this one listing of a vacant land parcel in Golden Valley, AZ and subsequently quick sale. And yes, I am beyond blessed, thankful and filled with gratitude.Earlier this year, one of my clients and now a good friend called me about a vacant land parcel that was about two (2) blocks to the west of our home here in Golden Valley, AZ.  I looked and this particular property was not listed on any MLS.  The friend said she saw it on Facebook.Less than a month later I received a call to list a property two blocks from our home.  During conversations with the sellers who we waved at when they drove by, I learned the ...
Comments 7
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
For several decades my health has been very good to exceptional. No major health issues. No doctor ordered prescriptions.Unfortunately, sometimes life happens and things change.  Since mid-August 2025 I have been experiencing not the best of health. Nothing really significantly serious, but for me who has been quite active, serious enough. My health care provider believes I was exposed to long term COVID as I have the many of the symptoms. I do not believe in COVID tests due to my cynical nature. On top of that “great” news, after five plus decades of typing, my wrists decided to suddenly to hurt and the diagnosis was carpel tunnel. I am in the process of meeting with the surgeon which is another long and boring story. Add in seeing double that was due to a new glass prescription that w...
Comments 17
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Living in the high desert, there are many adjustments to be made beyond the open range, wild burros and dirt roads.  During Monsoon season, there are numerous road signs that state:Do Not Enter When Flooded or Turn Around Don’t DrownNow some folks may not understand the force and velocity hidden within the running water traveling through these numerous desert washes.First, the desert is often viewed as flat and that is another misconception. The topography of the desert is undulating. There are small to rather larger depressions. Often these land depressions are called washes.Second, even a few inches of running water, 3” to be exact, can knock an individual off of his or her feet.If the running water is 6” deep, then the individual may lose control and can be carried with the water thr...
Comments 17
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Sometimes, professional real estate agents will share what they know about specific real estate facts or issues. This sharing is often without any expectation of compensation or a real estate sales referral.Several years ago a local social media group of which I am a member had some questions about Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions aka CCRs in its particular subdivision located here in Golden Valley. As I have created an electronic library of CCRs within Mohave County, I was able to quickly provide that information to those within this social media group.Imagine my surprise today when I received a call from one of those social media group members. This individual was a complete stranger. His comment to me was “I remember your sharing that information about CCRs regarding our subdiv...
Comments 7
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
The first time I heard “this property is on water.” My head almost did a 360 because coming from the Midwest to be on water usually meant a river, creek, pond or lake.In my very short time here in rural Golden Valley, AZ, I did not know of any actively running streams or lakes. However, I quickly learned here in the rural high desert of Mohave County along with many other western states, “to be on water” means a local rural water company is piping water into the residential property.So what is the solution if the property is “Not to be on water?" There are several solutions.#1 - The water is piped into the home from a local rural water company. We have four local water companies in Golden Valley, AZ.#2 – A - Well (Privately Owned), in some instances, the property has an existing well or...
Comments 6
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
As a professional listing agent who truly loves selling dirt (usually smaller vacant land parcels, one to 10 acres), I treat all “dirt” listings with the same respect as I do larger vacant land parcels those 10 acres or more with considerable higher value.This past week I drove 150 miles to take on the ground real time photographs of 5 lots in two different rural areas about 25 miles apart. Four of the five (5) parcels ranged in acreage 1 to 3 acres. Property number five was 37.45 acres. By personally driving to each parcel I can determine the best access, type of recommended vehicle such as street, SUV, higher clearance or 4x4, provide far more accurate directions with mileage and what is probably most important, I get a sense of the property.For example, on one lot (37.45 acres) there...
Comments 6
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Often sellers have a desire to list their residential properties or vacant land parcels at a price often higher than the local real estate market reality.  This is why comparing apples to apples within the competitive market analysis is quite critical.I was reminded of this clash with a recent request to list a vacant land parcel with utilities here in Golden Valley, AZ. Given there was already a much larger parcel with utilities just down the road less than 1/10th of a mile, the competitive market analysis (CMA) clashed with the seller’s listing price.  Even though I have been in this industry just 8 years, I realized this clash would only create ill will if I did list it as the sellers were adamant about securing a bottom line much higher than current real estate market conditions.Yes...
Comments 6
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
No this is not an April Fool's joke. This posting is about when a fool, as in me, believes she can do what she did in years gone by. When I first started in real estate over eight (8) years ago here in Mohave County, AZ with Dirt Road Real Estate, I was eight years younger. I had little difficulty in pounding for sale signs or direction signs into the dirt or rather what often seems like concrete.  Well, time does take a toll on one’s body as evidenced by sore arm and shoulder muscles.NOTE: Out here in the high desert of Golden Valley and other areas, the ground is almost like concrete filled with rocks, small and large.Recently, I saw a posting (video) on Facebook about using a drill for starting the holes for placing for sale signs. And like an epiphany, I had two thoughts: Why hadn’t...
Comments 9
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
When we moved here to Golden Valley, AZ back in March of 2017, we looked forward to living here in the high desert with plenty of elbow room and lots of peace an quiet. As my husband, Ken, is a Vietnam Veteran, he decided to visit the local Veteran’s clinic. The clinic experience was very positive with the Doctor ordering a test due some sporadic discomfort my husband was experiencing. Fast forward a month, as the local hospital was not responding quickly enough the Doctor became quite irate and we had a last minute appointment within 48 hours.That last minute appointment on a Friday afternoon turned into an emergency room visit followed by an order for an emergency surgery. The reason is the test revealed a presumed cancerous tumor attached to his small intestine. Since he had a small ...
Comments 12
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
For those moving to Arizona seeking to buy real estate, many are not aware that the State of AZ is an open range state. There are numerous states that have open range laws with many west of the Mississippi.Here in AZ, ranchers lease land from the Bureau of Land Management. This allows the cattle to roam freely without fences.  In some instances, ranchers have large acreage ranches which are fenced.With open range cattle here in Golden Valley, AZ and Mohave County, AZ driving the paved and dirt roads is sometimes dangerous for both drivers and cattle. Speed limits of 45 mph may seem ridiculous slow because there are no homes in sight or oncoming traffic. However, the desert brushes often hide cattle and suddenly you have a large bull, steer, cow or calf in the middle of the road.Several ...
Comments 6
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Real estate is truly a 24/7 business.  Add in each real estate transaction is unique, personal time becomes evasive.For the last couple of years, I have made a concentrated effort to schedule more personal time.  And this year I have been able to be more successful in achieving this personal goal.For the last several months, eacn Sunday morning, my husband and I travel about 30 minutes to the local American Legion (Post 22) here in Golden Valley, AZ to enjoy Sunday breakfast.  Our two meals including tips cost us $15.00.  We then have the opportunity to visit with other members. By having this weekly breakfast, we are away from barking dogs, cell phone (calls and texts) and real estate paperwork.Then a friend is getting married this fall and I am working on a counted cross stitch sample...
Comments 11
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Imagine not having neighbors to your north, south or east. This nearly 2,000 sq. ft. home on over 2 acres with 2 vehicle space garage is looking for a new owner.5677 W Unkar Dr, Golden ValleyCovered Front Porch3 Bedroom/2 BathroomsNo HOAHorse FriendlyPrimary Bedroom has sitting room that can be used as an office, library or craft room with access to small rear covered porchFamily Room Another PlusNicely Landscape Front YardPartially Fenced360 Mountain ViewsAmazing Sunrises and SunsetsLots of Elbow RoomCall for Tour #LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently #ArizonaAcreage #mlsArizona #HorsePropertiesArizona #BuyHomeArizona #GoldenValleyAZHomesAndLandLeanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.Feature Photo...
Comments 2
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Lately I have had “I love Selling Dirt” truly come back to bite me because I have never been so busy.  My latest “dirt” sales lead actually came from Active Rain. Over 90% of my real estate sales leads come from referrals and signage.  To be forthright, I didn’t ever realize or anticipate the impact of those four (4) words.The reason I love selling dirt is because listing and selling dirt has far fewer hassles. First, most vacant land purchases are cash.  Second, outside of septic being installed, the only other inspection or due diligence action is possibly hiring a surveyor. Third, marketing cost is simple: MLS has feeds to other real estate websites and Drone Photos if necessary. Fourth, only three trips required: #1: Confirm I want to list the property and take photos; #2: Place sig...
Comments 6
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
This weekend Americans are celebrating a day to remember and honor those fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, to protect Americans. We call this day Memorial Day where patriotism is on full display between the blog posts, online articles to social media postings.Patriotism as defined by Merriam-Webster is:“Love for one devotion to one’s country.”The Cambridge Dictionary (online) takes the above definition one step further:“The feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it.”My Swedish grandparents who immigrated legally into the U.S. had a love for America and were very proud to become U.S. citizens. When they immigrated in the early 1920’s, the only person who could speak and write English was my grandmother. She taught my grandfather a...
Comments 7
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Today is Memorial Day where we recognize, honor and pay tribute to those fallen military men and women who have willingly face death and succumb to death in the line of duty.  Their deaths allow us as professional real estate agents to sell land be it vacant parcels or residential homes or commercial properties.As the Code of Ethics Preamble states: “Under all is the land.”Without the fallen protectors of our land, we would not have this great country. We would not be able to enjoy those: “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”Many of us have had family members to friends who have given their lives to protect “under all is the land.” For me, I had a cousin who died at the Battle of the Bulge in WWII and two friends who died in Vietn...
Comments 3
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Sometimes just one word, such as little, has so much impact on our lives. I was reminded this by this Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. quote:"It is by little things that we know ourselves."The word little is in many words of wisdom from those who have gone before."True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us." Socrates"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." Sir Winston Churchill"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." Marcus Aurelius"You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it." Robin Williams"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little." Sir Edmund Burke"The best portion of a man’...
Comments 8
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Being in sales for many decades, I was taught by my father who was a professional salesman to not expend much time looking back to yesterday, but rather to invest time thinking forward to tomorrow.  Ruminating or pondering on what might have been is a waste of time as one cannot change the past.  However, thinking about what happened today and what I may change tomorrow is far more productive and important.Today, I focus on going forward, thinking about tomorrow and not to yesterday.A Little HistoryWhen I first considered entering the real estate industry, I expressed to my future broker, Judith Ritter,  I wanted to be part-time.  Well, most of us know real estate is not part time. Lesson learned within my first 30 days.Given my sales background, I believed I would be a better buyer’s a...
Comments 9
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Being on vacation for me as a professional real estate agent means I must: Have my laptop Have access current pending transactions Check emails for new sales leads to closing transactions Have Internet access is obviously necessary to attend to those emails demanding responses Have a charged mobile phone and laptop Notebook to keep track of all calls and requests Now in full disclosure I planned this vacation with the knowledge that current pending transactions should close before I left.  Also, I informed all my active clients as well as the title companies I was going on vacation.Of course, as it has been said the "best laid plans of mice and men often awry."  And this vacation has reaffirmed those words of Robert Burns. Now let me count the ways:The 72 hours before I left I had devot...
Comments 9
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Many sellers and buyers believe that they can sell or buy real estate properties without the benefit of professional real estate agents. By taking the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) path, these adventurous individuals look to save money to make more money. After all, some sellers and buyers believe professional real estate agents are just door openers and do very little to earn their compensation fee.This past week I received a call from a past potential buyer. I had physically toured several vacant land properties with these buyers though none exactly met their criteria. During this recent conversation, I learned these buyers had purchased a FSBO land and now wanted to sell it.I said I would undertake research of competitive properties in Golden Valley. AZ and send that Competitive Market An...
Comments 3
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Sometimes, professional real estate agents work with court approved sales. Often these are neglected properties with debris, non-working vehicles and in general a real mess.Usually there is a fiduciary firm appointed as the representative, guardian, conservator or trustee.  These court approved sales are very time consuming for all parties involved including the fiduciary firm, legal firm, title, the seller's court appointed attorney, the buyer’s agent and the real estate listing agent.The past two years as a vacant land listing agent who loves to sell dirt, I have had numerous court approved vacant land sales. Yesterday after 94 days, my most recent vacant land listing property received court approval. Yee Haw!Close of escrow will happen within 5-7 days after that hearing. I am sure al...
Comments 5
By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
The Oxford Online Dictionary defines grit as the "courage and resolve; strength of character.”  In real estate, grit is required and let me explain.Many of my real estate listings are from referrals whether current or past clients as well as community members I have met here in Golden Valley and Kingman, AZ. One of my  community member's listing referrals was the opportunity to list rustic cowboy bunkhouse. The seller had lived there for 2.5 years and I had septic and power permits.This horse friendly, rustic bunkhouse property received two offers. The first accepted offer (from buyer number one) was canceled. After receiving the home inspection report, potential buyer believed there was too much work to be done as the bunkhouse and property was quite rustic. Offer number two from buyer...
Comments 3
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