BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 179 On The Eve

10 years ago tomorrow, a day that would shape history and our country's policy for years to come. On Sunday we will reflect back on waking up to a whole new world. I watched the Arizona State game on Thursday night and Pat Tillman was mentioned so many times and TV this week has been all about 9/11, as it should be. On Sunday we will have a gathering at the dock and then we will boat over to the island to hear the Shoemakers play. They will open with the Star Spangled Banner with just the violin and the peaceful sound will echo through our small canyon. I am sure all of us will ponder where we were, think on all of those who thought that sunny day was just another and never forget all who have sacrificed so much for so many. On this 10 year anniversary, let us never forget.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, loving America!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 178 How Luck Changes

Ok, so the luck has changed. We just lost 2 escrows in 1 hour. What a lunch hour I had today. I will get new buyers, no doubt, but what a let down for our sellers. Flying on that roller coaster ride right now.....looking for the brake...I did put 2 new properties in escrow, so the ride is on an upswing.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 177 Summer's End

Well, summer is basically over, school has started, the days are getting shorter and it is HOT! Are we in Florida? I think this odd summer has brought us good luck because The McLaughlin Group is doing well. What do you think it is, great leadership, great teamwork or kick butt marketing? I'm just asking.....

This is Laurie, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 176 Show Stopper

A show stopper: an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down. In real estate it would be a house that after seeing 10 or 12 others makes the buyer want to cease looking and start buying. Or, an agent in a office meeting asks a ridiculous question or makes some outlandish statement where the office manager has to calm the generally unruly crowd of realtors down. One more show stopper for realtors: The title representative forgets to bring food to the office meeting, wow!, look out that title officer is doomed and will suffer a most unfortunate drop in title orders.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLNDS WIDE OPEN -day 175 Monday Recap

17 fish boated in the morning, softball cancelled, last minute switch to Malibu Winery for Shoemakers, pool and lake, with some late negotiations on one of our big listings. A great day to end a great weekend! BTW, the girls won the soccer tourney!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -Day 174 Labor Day Fun

This is a great weekend mixed with work and fun. I get to watch and enjoy Kels & Kins on the same club soccer team playing the back line of defense together. The only problem with that is if the other team puts up big numbers, you all know what that means. So far though, two games and only 1 goal against us. 2 more games to go. Then I have the last softball game of the year at Malibou Lake known as the Septics vs. the Sewers which is always a blast. I also have scheduled a very early morning fishing session with one of the soccer dads, which will be quite enjoyable. A possible Timmy Curran concert Sunday evening and mix it in with some family time, lake time and a little work and I say it will be a fun Labor Day weekend!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 173 Hard to Describe Follow up

The views on Moonridge are hard to describe but I had no idea that the sign company would struggle to find the property. With the Thomas Guide and location delivered to them, they were unable to locate, so this afternoon I have to meet them off Lynn Road. As I said in the earlier blog it's hard to describe. Here is a sampling of just one of the view shots.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 172 Termite Reports

These reports are becoming increasingly frustrating. Fungus, Dry rot, infestation and more but the concern is the validity of these reports. How do you challenge these required reports. When two reports from two different companies have done inspections, they are always different. All reports are disclosures but with some of these reports getting way out of control, it might be wise for sellers to get a second opinion from another company. We will have to evaluate this as a group and decide on a course of action.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 171 Hard to Describe

The group was at a photo shoot today previewing a new listing that will be on the market in just a couple of days. This home has views, that as the title said, is hard to describe. More than 180 degrees of views, nestled in the southern Santa Monicas, looking out over Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, the Simi Hills and all the way to the peaks of the Los Padres range. The street is Moonridge and I am confident while sitting on the porch at night, one must feel that reaching out and touching the moon is a real possibility. I look forward to meeting the buyers who wants to touch the moon from their new front porch.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 170 Appointment Only

So many people always ask us why we show so many of our listing by appointment only. Believe me, I would love to slap a lock box on every house but there is more information that needs to be delivered besides the bed and bath count. Schools, parks, rules, local spots and more but also watching to make sure another agent does not say something that might lead to trouble down the road. Here is a classic example regarding a home built on pillars 15-20 feet off the ground. The agent will remain unnamed but the story will be told. The home was approximately 3000 square feet on one level and the clients were looking for something a tad bigger and here is what this agent told his clients. "Just enclose the area under the house and you can double your square feet." Wow! Did I just hear that? I softly interrupted and said something to the effect that the reason it is built on pillars is because it sits in a flood zone and I think the county might frown on that idea. That is one solid reason why we show most of our homes by appointment only.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 169 Old Friend at The Old Place

Last night I received a call from an old friend who was in from Nashville so I met up with him at The Old Place. It was fun to catch up and talk families, life, work and more. David and Sheree are missed by us. We had many years as neighbors and after spending just a couple hours last night, it made me miss the old times. David entertained the remnants at the bar with his extraordinary piano skills and a song about a five dollar dog. I thought back to many evenings on the deck as the notes from his ivory keys floated through the smoke of our BBQ. Then Sheree laughing at me when I was selling their home as I got locked in the master bath while sitting their house open. Thankfully my pleas of help were answered by my family instead of a potential client. Last night made me want to hold onto friendships even more as the reality of distance struck me. It was nice to see my old friend at The Old Place.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 168 Acknowledgement

What I like about my group is their ability to recognize talent and to speak freely about it. No matter the industry or profession, when someone is good we recognize it. Last night at Maestros, the piano player and singer were awesome and we sat enjoying every minute and we let them know it. When we work with another great agent, we recognize them and tell them. There are no insecurities with our group and that makes us easy to get along with and easy to do business with. When you feel confident and good about your services, it's really easy to pay tribute to others who are doing a great job. Recognize the greatness in others but more important, acknowledge them and their craft.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 167 Reaching for the Goal

A new group record with Ramsgate going into escrow last night bringing our total escrow number to 18. In a down market, we feel really lucky and that brings our total to 52 sold or in escrow for the year. The goal is 65 and we are all feeling like we will get there.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 166 Oops

Check this one out. We have come to terms on a home that is listed at over 2000 sq ft. My very observant buyer then measures it and the place measures out at just over 1500 sq. ft. That is a whopping 500 foot mistake and neither the seller or the other agents grasp the significance of this. 1/4 of the house is not there so wouldn't you think the seller and agent would say oops, we need to rectify this. Nope! They claim the buyer loved what they bought, so the buyer should just move forward. The problem is the buyer and I had numerous discussions about the size of the house and because of that size it was worth a little more than the others that had sold. The sellers do not want to budge...mind blowing. Next time you buy a car, just drive out with three of the wheels. Unreal!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 165 Paradise Found

A buyer at a walk-thru just says to me "Dave just tell me where to sign and let me keep seeing where my furniture will go." You know that buyer has found her paradise. Today it happened and we were in the Paradise Cove community and it was paradise. Sunny, calm and spectacular and I hope my group will get to visit her new weekend pad quite often. Congrats to RR and enjoy your piece of paradise.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 164 Sell to Buy

For sellers that want to buy a new home but have to sell their existing home, this dilemma is tough to overcome. Two issues: They don't want to sell if they can't find their new dream home and no seller wants to sell to them unless their home is under contract and they are basically ready to go. With the lack of inventory and the reluctance of sellers to sell based on a sale contingency, this dilemma is not easily solved. My bottom line advice to a seller in this situation "Sell your house first, find temporary quarters and sit and wait as the market continues to soften for the right house." Here is a visual for sellers in that situation. A Red Tail Hawk sits on a pole and patiently waits for the rabbit to appear. When the rabbit shows itself, it strikes with swiftness, skill and deadly accuracy. So sell your house, be patient and then you will be ready to strike swiftly with great certainty of your quarry!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 163 Senior Class President

My 30 year high school reunion is in October of this year and oddly enough my oldest daughter Kelsey is Agoura High's Senior Class President. I am proud of the way she has taken everything the school has to offer her and she has seized those opportunities. Hopefully, she will have success in the college application and acceptance process. She has worked hard and deserves everything she gets. 30 years has flown by and I hope Kelsey continues to live her life to the fullest so when her 30 year comes around, she will look back and think how great her life has been.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 162 Summer's End

You can feel it in the air, you can see it on all the kids' faces, It's over. Summer has come to an end and the best part of the year has faded away again. June, July and August, without a doubt are the best months of the year. Vacations, sunshine, lighter til later and more time, at least it feels that way. Back will come the hectic schedules, the chill in the evenings and yes Halloween..Yipee. This was a summer to remember. There is one thing that makes the fall fill the second place slot as it relates to the four seasons, one word says it all...FOOTBALL!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 161 Wrapping it up!

Medea Creek is one of the best properties we have represented and tonight it looks like it has sold. Unbelievable that a property like this took so much time. The market is tough but I believe this buyer is very lucky to grab something like this and the seller is happy to have it sold. Here is a photo for one more look.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 160 Tuesday Glee

So, the listing I showed you yesterday on the blog is already in escrow and we listed a new one today, 30012 Quail Run in Agoura Hills. Check out the virtual tour on our website www.TheMclaughlinGroup.com. Our team is working so hard this year and I am so proud of them.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 159 Monday Blues

Wow! It is tough to come back from vacation and get back to work. However, the vacation provides rest and relaxation and refills the energy level. So here we go. New listing on Bannister in Simi Valley, about to go live, so here is a sneak peak.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, back from vacation :(, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 158 Vacation Over

Worst thing for sure is packing to leave for vacation. You spend 7 day in a beautiful place with family and friends and it flies by like a jet fighter overhead. It was fun, fast, filled with bikes, fish, food and more. I am sad that it is over and wish I had more opportunities like this last week.

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 157 Request for Repair

This week on vacation two of my sellers received the most drastic request for repairs I have ever seen. Some buyers must not understand the contract and this form. They must think it is a dinner menu and feel free to order whatever they want. Anything a seller agrees to do, other than what is agreed to upfront, is a gift. Some buyers want the seller to remodel the house, which is not the purpose of the buyer's investigations. Buyers, agree to a price, check for major malfunctions, negotiate those items reasonably and move-in and enjoy your new home.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 156 Mountain Bike Bonding

At 7000 feet above sea level, one should not attempt to have a father/daughter bonding experience riding mountain bikes. This may not hold true for everyone but in my case the lack of oxygen really prevented opportunities for in depth discussions. However, it was a fantastic time with Al, Ryan and Kelsey but both Kelsey and I felt that if we wanted to have a bonding experience, Starbucks would be just fine. Here is a shot of us with the gorgeous mountains in the background. Honestly, I would not have traded it for anything.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 155 Fishing Competition

I happen to be on vacation with Dave and his family and today 8 of us are going on a fishing tour. This should be a nice day out on the boat trying to grab a trout or two for dinner.....but NOOOOOOO, not with my son Ryan and Dave on the boat. Everything is a competition with these two. Who will catch the most fish, who will catch the biggest fish, who will catch the first fish, who has the best bait, who has the best technique...blah, blah, blah. I guess this "drive" is what makes my son such a good ball player and Dave such a good realtor. They always want to be the best and WIN! I'll let you know tomorrow.

This is Laurie, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 154 Vacation

It is great to be away! Enjoying some fishing and time on the water but most of all enjoying the time with families and friends. The rest of the group is holding down the fort and it is comforting knowing they got it under control.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 153 Outre'

It was my first year in real estate and my first real listing. The photography was completed and I was ready to launch this new listing except for the property description. It was a classic 1930's home built by a set decorator and the home was worthy of a Hollywood movie-like description. Most of you know me and realize that the words I use are simple, straightforward and not meant to impress. The lady that lived there was a very cultured lady, well traveled and by the looks of her book cases, very well read. The depth of her vocabulary was remarkable and the words rolled off her tongue effortlessly. Many times I found myself nodding my head in agreement but at the same time, struggling to find the meaning of the big word she had just dropped on me. Needless to say, the first listing and this lady made the property description a real challenge. I wrote a thorough description of the property and covered everything..It was brilliant! A week or two had passed with some showings but no takers. I arrived early to the office and there was a three page hand written fax that expressed displeasure about the description of her home. I was horrified as I read it over and over again. Right in the middle of her fax, there was another one of those words and my eyes were fixated on it. She was suggesting if it were possible for me to make the description "a bit more Outre". "Outre", just saying the word makes my rear tighten as I picture myself sipping tea with the more refined members of society. "Outre" you have to pucker your lips when you say it. Here is the definition: Out of the common course or limits; extravagant{2}; bizarre; outlandish{2} It's not that scary after you read the definition but 13 years ago, one early morning, that word scared me to death.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 152 Resort Like Living

Can you believe this is in Agoura Hills? You have to see the virtual tour of this new listing, 3802 Parkview Court, on our website, www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 151 Vacation

My four girls and I are taking a much needed vacation in the mountains next week. We plan to hike, bike, zipline, fish and lounge in the sun. Yesterday's video of the fox and the cougar has me anxious to see some of our mountain friends during our stay. I'll keep you posted with a few photos during our stay.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 150 Local Wildlife

Take a look at this video right in our backyard form a creature cam stationed on one of the local trails. Hiking, biking, or running, be aware that there are creatures watching. I have lived here for many many years and really want to see one of these big cats. I have seen the fox, badgers, bobcats, skunks, coyotes, raccoons, possums, deer and need one sighting to complete the bucket list.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!