BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 337 Behind the Scenes

Blinds Wide Open, a behind the scenes look at real estate throught the eyes of The McLaughlin Group....so for 337 days we have logged stories , noted events and happenings and shared challenges and successes...So today here is a look at what happened behind the scenes in 1 day: Everyone piled in to start the day and I announced that it could be a very happy day with so many counters out...Immediately after announcing that, 2 offers went south with the news being relayed by text and phone and still waiting at 9pm to see what will go on with another. (2.5 Million in biz sucked down the drain) Photos came in on a personal rental for one of our agents that was obviously disturbing and costly. Appraisal came in low on another group member's house. Rushed off to Old Agoura for appraisal on short sale, back to office for e-mails. Headed off to photo shoot, arrived at gates and realized no batteries in camera. Yikes...suggestion made that maybe we all just get a drink. Walk thru on Driftwood, a cool beach townhome, which closes on Tuesday..Yay. Lunch! Proof of funds arrived for another offer and forwarded it off (over a million on the line on that one.) Great news, counter sort of accepted with a small counter back. (over 900k riding on that one) Off to Do-it Center for a tool for lock box and up to Seminole Springs to place lock box on unit and home at 6:33PM..54 Phone calls and wrapping it up with the Blog! Wait a minute, I have 5 others in the group, I wonder what their day was like, behind the scenes? This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate.

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 336 Old Fish Tale

It was a typical warm summer day at Malibou Lake back in the 70’s. Whipper snapper Dave and his younger brother sapling Drew were down on the dock fishing. Each was casting their lines at the same time. We all learned to fish, swim, sail, canoe, etc., while we were still in potty training pants….was the only way Mom could have some peace of mind knowing that her kids were water safe and keen in the outdoor sport’s world. Dave and Drew often fished together, one at each side of the dock, so there was nothing unusual about that day. But all of a sudden Drew proclaims “I got one, whoa it is a big one” and as he started to reel it in, Dave lets out a painful yelp and then hollers “Drew, you got me in the side of the head.” Sure enough Drew cast his lure right into his brother’s scalp. Mom, Dad and I went rushing down to the dock as squeals from Dave became louder and louder. Of course Dad wanted to just pull it out hook line and sinker right on the spot like an old cowboy pulling an arrow out of a leg. However, Dave’s squirming body and pleas for sanity reined Dad back in from the Wild West. We all jumped in the old Mercury station wagon and raced down the treacherous Malibu Canyon Rd to the doctor’s office in Malibu. The infamous Dr. Hodges held medicinal court in a 1960’s mobile trailer at the bottom slope just below where he would later build the Malibu Castle on the hill above. Some of you may remember the Castle but subsequently it burned down in a horrific Malibu wildfire. Anyway, Dr. Hodges removed the prize lure from Dave’s head and fortunately Dave lived to tell about it over a thousand times. A true fisherman! So those of you who have heard Dave’s listing presentation, you recall that he always uses his classic analogy of catching a fish with his marketing approach. “No one will spend more money on advertising your home for sale than me. It’s like fishing…you have to cast out in several places before we catch the big fish. We just do not know where the fish will come from.” Words truly spoken by a man who actually was caught by his own brother. Sister Kelly here, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real and true in the personal story department.

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 335 Home of the Week!

Our listing on 2401 Kanan Road, Agoura, CA was home of the week on MSNBC.com, Zillow.com and Realtor.com! This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -Day 334 Counters & Father's Day

Three Counters on Father's Day. You really hope these offers materialize into something great for everyone. Just hung with the tribe around the lake. Kelsey cruised on the paddle board, Kinsey hung on the dock, Sister Kelly kayaked with her dog Coco and Miley and I paddled out on the board where she was successful in the Malibou Lake rite of passage, known as the rope swing. All in all a pretty relaxing and fun day. Today, we will find out the results on those counters. This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 333 All Good!

Here I am coming off the field Friday night.....don't I wish. This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 332 Football Game Is Tomorrow

I have been practicing so hard all week for my alumni football game at Agoura High School tomorrow night. I'm a little tight but I think I'm good! This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 331 Cool Thousand Oaks Condo

Cool is the word, literally! This end unit sits right under a huge oak tree, just steps to the pool. We only had it on the market for one week and it is already in escrow. Stay cool this summer! This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it cool in real estate!