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 ... 06/23/2025

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 ... 06/10/2025

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... 06/09/2025

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... 06/05/2025

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... 06/03/2025

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... 05/26/2025

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... 05/26/2025

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’... 05/21/2025

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... 05/20/2025

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... 04/30/2025

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... 04/30/2025

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... 04/22/2025

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... 04/18/2025

Often, I have read of real estate agents in other forums responding to this question from first time home buyers about the down payment amount with a response of “No Money Down.” Unfortunately, this response can be very misleading.Even if the loan does not require any down payment such as for qualified US veterans or a very small down payment such as 3% for FHA loans, there are other fees and out of pocket expenses involved in buying homes. Some of these fees can be included in the loan and others must be paid via certified check or wire transfer at close of escrow. Now each state is different as real estate is local; however, here are a few though not all Escrow Fees  Recording Fee Septic Transfer Fee Inspections Fees such as Home Inspection, Termite Inspection, Mold Inspection, Radon ... 04/11/2025

Whether you are a real estate agent, REALTOR®, seller or buyer results matter. A recent survey from the National Association of REALTORS®, suggested in 2024 that 71% of agents did not engage in a successful real estate transaction.The answers to this possible failure rate are many. However from my experience as someone with over five (5) decades of sales experience including 20+ years in corporate sales, 20+ years as an executive leadership strategist and sales coach and now eight (8) years in real estate, my answers to this question are three.#1 – False Expectations – Many who entire the real estate industry have been filled with false expectations such as easy money, big money, easy hours, and easy work.  Those who are authentic professional real estate agents know that the money is n... 04/10/2025

Way is such a simple word with basically two meanings (Oxford Language): A method, style, or manner of doing something A road, track, path or street traveling along These two meanings came back to me as I read this unfamiliar quote by Miyamoto Mushashi (Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist and writer of The Book of Five Rings).“If you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything.”My somewhat philosophical mind started traveling down many paths almost simultaneously. Was Mushashi thinking a method or a path?For me I have a certain manner of handling or process for potential real estate transactions be those transactions from sellers or buyers. Over time this way has evolved and continues to evolve which for me reaffirms knowing the “WAY broadly, you will see it in everything.”Ad... 04/09/2025

Professional real estate agents are legally obligated to be diligent when acting as a listing agent or buyer’s agent. This due diligence surfaced when I started thinking about the publication of seller’s residential floor plans on MLS public viewing websites.Beyond that issue, there are many other areas for due diligence.Here in Golden Valley, AZ where we have four different water companies. There is considerable due diligence knowledge required such as: Water Allocation – paid or unpaid Water Assessment – paid or unpaid or not an issue Water Meters – paid or unpaid Water Meters location – Over time and poor paperwork, water meters can be buried and no one knows that a water meter exists for a particular vacant land parcel Water Haul – Distance and servicing water company Electric avail... 04/06/2025

Often home owners take extended vacations and return home to find a water leak or worse more than one. Sometimes these water leaks are from hoses to the washing machine that have experienced constant pressure or a sudden increase in water pressure.When we lived in NW IN, my husband decided to eliminate this potential water leak by installing a valve that allowed the hot and cold-water hoses to the washing machine to be turned off. The hoses to the washing machine no longer would experience changes in water pressure.Moving to here to Golden Valley in NW AZ, once again the husband installed the same type of valve. Of course, one must remember to turn on the valve when washing clothes and to turn off the valve when that task is finished.As to the price of this water valve, eight years ago ... 04/06/2025

The month of April for many means spring cleaning their homes. This is the time all furniture is moved, cleaned and possibly re-positioned in the home.What I have learned is to take spring cleaning to a new level.  That new level is de-cluttering and determining what is truly essential.  Of course, some items will always stay such as family heirlooms.Since we have moved to NW AZ, we both have changed our wardrobes. Jeans have replaced dress pants.  Boots now are the favorite foot wear. Most open toe shoes have been donated. Wool blazers are now long sweaters to help ward off the continued strong breezes to unexpected winds here in Golden Valley, AZ.No longer needed items are donated to local not for profits.  Having a yard sale that is so far off the main road does not make sense.Spring... 04/05/2025

Golden Valley, AZ is a valley of over 300 square miles with 360 mountains. This rural areas is nestled between Kingman, AZ and Bullhead City,AZ/Laughlin, NV.Most of the vacant land lots as well as residential homes are on 2.00 acres or larger. There are two subdivision with smaller lots one near the center of the valley (Shipp Estates) and other in the foothills of the Cerbat Mountains (So-Hi).With only one Home Owner's Association located in the Legend Ranches, this valley is free of many of the restrictions offered by other areas. There are Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs) in many of the subdivisions. Each subdivision should be researched and professional real estate agents can locate that information for you.Being rural, zoning for the majority of land excluding those su... 04/03/2025