John Mijac is a Realtor with a technological bent. He's been a writer, an email administrator and Web designer, but found his true calling in Real Estate. He is the Chair of the Tucson Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service's Technology Committee. John is a strong advocate for social networking and believes in communication and ethical, open relationships in business. If you have questions about real estate, email him at john@mijac.info - he always answers.
My clients, Lyle and Hunter (who had found me on-line, looking for a gay Realtor in Tucson) were completely wiped after lunch at Cafe Poca Cosa, so our trek to the office to look at residential listings was put off. "Anyway," Lyle said, "I've already looked through the ones you put in our Portal, and I thought I'd show the one's I selected to Hunter, while we rest at the B&B."
"But Lyle, there are around 35 possibilities; I thought we'd shorten the list down to the best eight to twelve."
Lyle laughed, "I'm well ahead of you. I've tossed all of them but three while I was on the plane."
Hunter saw my worried expression, "Lyle knows I only want to see the best of the lot, so don't worry . . . this is the way we do everything. Perhaps we could see one or two today after a siesta?" "Sure" I said, and with that I dropped them off at their B&B, the Royal Elizabeth.
I came back to pick them up a couple of hours later, after looking over Lyle's choices and arranging a showing for the late afternoon. I had to admit that Lyle really had picked the best of the lot, but they were three very different homes in extremely different locations. The first was a 1930's mud adobe property with a guest house NW of town (on the edge of Marana), totally renovated but with a guest house that left a lot to be desired. The second was a Rastra Block and rammed-earth, new, "green" house built on the periphery of the Saguaro National Park East. The last was a custom loft built by a local Artist/Architect near downtown. One and two were almost 60 miles apart but the loft was only a few blocks from where they were staying. We wouldn't have time to see the other two today, so I set those up for the next morning. Also, we needed to have some serious discussions about the other two as one was a short sale and the other a foreclosure. When I picked them up I explained that we could only see the loft today and suggested we have a discussion at my office about financially stressed properties after our showing.
The loft was everything Lyle hoped for but somewhat less than Hunter expected, which surprised me as I expected Hunter to be more interested in a home that might remind them of big city life in the East.
"But that is exactly why we're moving here, isn't it Lyle? Didn't we agree we wanted more community and Southwestern style? If we're going to move here, I don't really want to reproduce what we already have." Lyle looked a bit petulant.
"Hunter, there is community here", he pointed up to the bridge I was passing under on our way to my office, "we just have to walk across that Rattlesnake bridge to get to it."
"That is not my idea of a good path to friendship: in a snake's mouth and out its ass." We all laughed but before things degenerated any further I interjected: "Boys, no squabbling until we see a few more houses! So here's my plan, we'll stop by my office and I'll explain what happens in a short-sale, and we'll sign a few documents." looking smug, Lyle interrupted, "Isn't a short sale where the Seller's lender agrees to sell the house for less than is owed?"
"Right, that's true; you've been doing your reading! But there are a number of cautions you need to understand prior to even seeing such a listing. I'll explain all that at the office. After that, I thought we'd go out to Gates Pass for sunset. My partner can meet us up there with some hors d'oeuvres and a little libation. I'll point out the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum while we're there, it is a must see! After that we can part for the evening or all head out to Li'l Abners Steak House if you're into red meat. Tomorrow, we'll stop by the other two homes you've selected and, if you don't mind I'll throw in one more based on what we saw today. I also thought that if you'd like to meet some of the gay community here, we might have a little party later on in the week." They agreed this plan sounded like fun, so I started the wheels turning for that ride.
Check back with me in a few days to a week, for the next chapter in Hunter and Lyle's journey "The Perfect Home Hunt continues". We'll check out a short-sale, a foreclosure and then find the right place for Lyle and Hunter, just in time for them to schedule inspections while they're in town. Remember, if you have any questions don't hesitate to email me or give me a ring!
John Mijac john@mijac.info
520-404-0741
http://www.johnmijac.com
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