Wrote this "newsletter" a couple of weeks ago--back by popular demand (?)
OK all you “next-newsletter” junkies (of which there may actually be one or two). Here’s another newsletter of the continuing McGivern/Black Diamond Ranch odyssey:
Always feel free to skip the whimsical crap and go immediately lower to view the Black Diamond, Citrus County area property listings and articles for sale (homes, golf clubs, bikes, trips--deals you can’t live without or things you’d like to sell yourself (if you leave me your free ads). The top few paragraphs are occasionally boring, chick stuff, human interest items—occasionally much too long for you to spend your precious time with, so… skip away down at will.
At the risk of your opting out of here right now, you might enjoy such drivel as the following (once)very real-time occurance. Many of our Black Diamond neighbors have had the chance to opt-out already and haven’t so far. God bless you):
Laney McGivern, at the time this was written (4 p.m. EDT–only 2 p.m. for her, Tues., March 20th), was in West Texas at the scene of an accident! But before you get upset, the accident was mine. I wrote about it in an earlier BLOG (below), but you may not have gotten it if you’re new here.
Basically, a big gust of wind knocked me sideways on I-10 east of El Paso. I was delivering no less than 40 boxes, in the two-horse trailer that we bought in northern CA, cross-country to Florida. We had sold our 16 yr. old town-home in San Mateo and, except for what personal items and furnishings we sold, what we left in storage and our 50’ boat, I was simply moving what remained to BDR.
As bad luck would have it, the gust upset the trailer over on its side. I somehow managed to disconnect from it when it was obviously out of control. I also luckily managed the SUV just fine, but the trailer lost it's top and was dented up some—OK, a lot. Still, with a little help from some (new) friends in West Texas, we righted her with a winch with all but about three boxes on top. Those three boxes contained lots of Laney’s memorabilia, as well as another two thousand worth of emerald earrings, gold coins, hoops, bracelets and virtually every piece of jewelry that she could afford to keep out of sight. (The really good stuff was well in-sight already--hand-carried to BDR, of course). She lost the contents of several jewelry boxes as they tumbled about 50 ft. down the median of the highway and I was able to salvage a lot of it in high grass, but always knew I’d never get it all as I had to follow the wrecker to a locked storage yard, nearly 30 miles down the road to Ozona, TX. In Ozona I fitted the trailer top with a heavy tarp and duct-taped the hell out of it. It towed fine and made it straight as a string another 1400 miles to BDR—no chassis damage.
That saga continued on, but I’ll get back to Laney and hers (in the real-time this was written):
She is, as I said—at this very moment—picking up jewelry off the median. She claims she’s “shopping” with her good friend and driving companion, Sonia, for as many of her jewelry items that I never had the time to find before I left West Texas myself, nearly one month ago. She is finding all kinds of items as we speak (or rather, writing this). You BDR folks should ask her what she found when you see her. Some pretty amazing stuff—gold chains, rings, coins and the match to the one earring I found earlier.
This is the BLOG written three weeks ago (feel free to skip down lower):
I will refer new Texas-bound residents to the Ozona area forever as a great place to live; they are the nicest folks in the country! Listen to my story:
Last week, I was driving many of my worldly possessions in a horse trailer along I-10 (eastbound), when I was coming over the "cut-out hill" about 27 miles west of Ozona and caught a gust of wind that fishtailed my trailer off the hitch and slid it on its side into the guard rail (just short of a posted green "weather sign" that gives the radio frequency and warning of, among other items, wind gusts--a bit late in my case!). The "crash" peeled the top off my trailer and spilled my (and my wife's) belongings along 500 feet of highway, median and shoulder. I spent 15 minutes trying desparately to find all of the coins, jewelry, photos and papers that were strewn about, but missed a lot, apparently, as my wife is missing several memorabilia items worth her crying over--understandably. Among the most-missed items are some small green-stone earrings that were her mother's. They would definitely be in the median, where I found several items, but certainly not all.
Do you know "Surveyor Larry," who owns a great little 4-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle he keeps on a trailer? He and his buddy, "Little Man Lee," were a lot of help when they stopped to see if I were hurt or needed aid. I did need aid, obviously and they were able to get a hold of Gene Cooper of Ozona, who came out with a wrecker and helped right and tow my trailer to an Ozona yard, where we eventually tarped and duct-taped a make-shift top on the trailer. I was able to get back on the road in about 3 hours after the accident, thanks to those great folks. Ozona folks rule, and I will thank them all forever. Mike, the Trooper, was helpful too. If you know any of those guys, they can pinpoint the area--at about the 266 mile marker (plus or minus)--a bit east of the Pecos River, I believe. Once again, about 27 miles west of town. You'd definitely see the green weather sign along the guard rail at the bottom of the hill if you were eastbound. Pull off across the road if westbound.
So, if you had the time and inclination to comb the median back there and find some of our items, there would be a reward--depending on what you found--especially the earrings. They'd be in that median grass--hopefully found before the next mowing, though they'd be deeper in the grass, near the soil, I'd imagine. Perhaps a flashlight or some kind of high intensity lamp would spot things much better. You'll probably find lots of papers still around, though many were blown eastword, as the wind was "up," to say the least. I was a 35-year airline pilot and many papers had to do with old checkrides and evaluations by the FAA, etc. There were old deeds and car registrations that I'll probably never see again; lots of old notes and files, but who knows where they are now? Specifically, I would imagine you will see the tire skid marks where I veered the SUV off the highway and into the grass ahead of the guard rail toward the very bottom of the hill. Most of the jewelry and coins that I found were just short of that area where the trailer "unhitched," but most items were found in the median grass, where the trailer was first upset and started skidding. I was busy directing traffic into the only lane I could clear at first and simply didn't have the time to find everything. If you find any items that I probably can't live without, there's that reward I'm offering as well as paying for the gas you used to get there when and if anything is returned. Thanks for even considering the help. Scavenger hunts can be fun. Take a lunch and help a "foreigner." My wife and I will give undying thanks and hopefully make it worth your while.
Jim McGivern
I can be notified at 415-271-6298 (a cellphone) or at home: 352-249-4484.
OK, so, for you, not so interesting stuff, eh? I am not surprised or the least bit miffed that you may have found it that way. Hey, let me know and I’ll “opt you out.” But, you do so at risk of missing some really good stuff: These newsletters will be getting better with the likes of the latest property listings, by owner, pocket listings (P.L.s that I specialize in) or MLS listings. You’ll always have a pretty good idea of how much your home is worth at the moment, assuming you want to know.
We will also take your items for sale (always at the bottom), so feel free to send what you have for sale and we’ll post it here. Obviously, you’ll want to see what’s for sale yourself too—wouldn’t want to miss any really good bargains. Stay tuned.
I hope you find that at least an interesting-enough intro to my real estate ramblings (always at the end, which you may, at any time, disregard or opt out of). I, of course, with apologies to Ron Ritter, who has a real estate check waiting to give me, could not make it to the office today. I generally have a ton of excuses for not doing that. Golf, golf, fixing a website, writing to you, etc.) and golf. But today, of course, it was legitimate—Laney is shopping for her “lost items” and that requires a real-time connection by cell-phone. (She says, “hi” to you all).
Oh, why yes, I did sell something, which I have to believe needed every once of my 20-some licensed years of experience to help negotiate the sale, have a week or more of “estate sale” and generally get the job of buying a trailer and moving done. (I have $1200 in it, insured) and U-haul wanted $1300, plus to do a one-way trailer rental that was much smaller. I packed ours to the gills). How nice we know this will be--to have one less house. Anyone want a home in Three Rivers, CA on three acres, or a great building lot in North Lake Tahoe on a $150K—initiation-only, “planned golf community?” But, here I hesitate and wonder where I ever heard of that concept before (he said, facetiously).
That was just the intro to the ramblings. Here are more (they get more and more boring):
I, personally, now have three or more “pocket listings” of several BDR residents thinking about selling or moving. More than one will not actually move. They just like moving and building.
What’s a pocket listing, you ask? Simply put, it’s a very loose sort of agency listing, kept in office (no MLS yet, though that is possible at a higher commission at a later time, if necessary)—meaning you may sell your own property all you wish and never have to pay a penny of commission whatsoever. It means that we have five or six, experienced agents and two or more websites with your property’s own URL and info, advertised nationally! It means no 6 or 7% commissions and then only three percent paid, only if we sell your home ourselves with our easy-to-understand listing agreement. I accept “hand-shake” agreements as well, but you might only get my personal sale working for you, instead of the concerted efforts of our 5 or 6 agents in the office: www.homebuyersfriend.net.
Three of the four pocket listings:
Heidi and Ed’s (NE corner of Pine Valley Loop and B.D. Circle at: 3544 N. Pine Valley Loop). What a beautiful place, inside and out. Heidi and Ed’s home is very tasteful, unique and well-done with “personality pieces” throughout). OK, it’s her house. (Sorry Ed, I didn’t mean it. I’ve seen you working hard around there too). It has some unique attributes besides landscaping and great design. Taxes are low for an interesting reason. (ask me why), 3150-plus, square feet. Great open feeling and fantastic back porch/lanai, screened patio area). Under roof is so much great design that you’ll just have to visit and experience it for yourself. I, Heidi or Ed or anyone in our office would be more than happy to show you around. We’d just like to know you saw this info here, if you wouldn’t mind replying with a few words so we can coordinate a viewing with Heidi and/or Ed or myself. We can look at any property for you or your friends or relatives and even if you are only curious). Don’t be shy. I’m always at one of these numbers: 352-249-4484, cell: 415-271-6298 or office (someone else who you should explain to that you may only be curious, that is): 746-7601. Talk to Mary, Ron, me, Chuck or leave a message at any of those numbers, anytime).
Did I tell you that you may get a free sample copy of my daughter’s performance of Maria in Sound of Music from last year. Just ask and it’s yours. The first song on the sample is The Hills are Alive—the same song Shirley Ellis sang so beautifully at the Night of Nostalgia. Molly regularly performs at the Aloha Repertory Theater near Kona and will soon be a regular at the new 760-plus seat theater in Waikiki, opening this October (originally July, now experiencing a few month set-back getting it constructed near the Royal Hawaiian plaza). Molly has a bachelor’s in psychology at McGill University in Montreal, (Dave Flam is an alumnus); practiced psychology for the State of Hawaii, traveled and played several stage roles prolifically in the last few years—she’s 25 years old, my youngest. I like to talk about Molly, but you may end up hearing about all my other boys—I have a bunch of them. They’re all self-sufficient, a couple are pretty good golfers, they’re all musicians, some sing, one owns and operates a music studio in CA; some (three others beside Molly) play guitar and write music (all have other jobs, of course).
I also discuss here, unfortunately in detail, several other things, like how I see the airline industry; how I saw it in the old days, as a 35-yr. veteran or bygone airline times and even of Viet Nam. What else? Oh yeah: great golf outings that we take our friends to—where, when, how, etc. Sinclairs, Laney and I did a Hawaii golf week, coupled with seeing Molly perform recently. Paul and Ellie were with us in New Mexico, where we played a few great American Indian-style golf courses along with the Dalys and the Hinsenkamps--whew, what a time. We will be visiting Marbeila, Spain with the Readings (possibly the Vlckos, whom we are also doing an Alabama Trail with soon. We play a lot with Laney’s cousin(s), Barb—including the in-law, Murray, who can be an outlaw too. If you’ve met them, you likely won’t forget them. We play with Laney’s sister and in-law, June and Jim Randall, who you may have met and Jim Clark, who now owns our first home that we bought here in ’92, in Bermuda Dunes. He’ll be playing with me in the member/guest--a week from now. Many of you may recall meetingr Jim Clark, as well. (He may be selling his home at 3000 Bermuda Dunes Drive, a lot with a practice green and bunker in the back yard.
Heidi and Ed’s is a “pocket listing,” where we can often get your home sold or buy one at far less than the normal commission and at the best possible price, like I just got on our CA home? www.HomeBuyersFriend.net knows the secrets to getting homes sold around here. We’ve garnered several listings and sold two homes in the last month—a supposed slow time for Real Estate. It’s mostly hard work and that’s what we do. Costs nothing to try. (I can’t believe I’m going to say this): everything to gain and nothing to lose to try a pocket listing with us that way. You can always go MLS with us or anyone you choose at any time. We just ask the “shot” for a while, while you try selling yourself at no cost. More than BDR resident has sold his or her house “on the golf course.” I’ll even show you how to make your own website, like P.L.#2: the completely remodeled, for sale home of Chuck and and wife, Plumery--now in super shape with an expensive new roof. Ask me about it. We’ll show it to you. Or look at it at homebuyersfriend.net—home-page, right side. Ask for their “URL” or the pictures I took of their super house for sale.
P.L.#3 is the Plumery’s own home in the “better-school” part of Pine Ridge, very near Beverly Hills. A super, not-so-little charmer. Very reasonable—under $300K. I’ll send you some great shots of it and a full set of comparables. Ask for that URL, as well.
Two buyers that work with me want:
1. A golf-course view of less than 1 mil., and
2. An upgraded home, over 3200 sq. ft. that is under $700K. Wanna trade down to one or get a great deal on a village house of around 2700 sq. ft.? We can do either or both of those in a hurry, if you wish. Let me know what you want and you can be 3 or 4—just what you always wanted.
There’s a great new price-lowering for a MLS-listed house in Pine Lake, across from Readings—Fishers’ old home, completely remodeled with quality stuff and a brand new roof. If you know no other way to get in, call me and I’ll get it open for you. I have to double-check the price myself—I think $325K. I can always send pictures of this and others. What’s your e-mail address or that of a friend or relative? I’ll send pics or listings in cyberspace to you or whomever you may wish or could possibly be interested. I’ll show your member/guest partner a couple of places after golf next week.
I have been known to rent my (or YOURS or a client’s) home with an option to purchase down the road—say six months to a year? We get guaranteed payments that cover your expenses, plus the people take very good care of your house, because they expect to buy out the option or possibly renew it for another period, when the monthly rental may increase for the next option period. It works best when the lessee gets a chunk of their rental payments going toward the down payment or purchase price. I’ve negotiated several of these in my day and they have almost always been win-win for the buyers and sellers. I’m “doing” (not in escrow yet) one at the moment in Spring Hill. We are servicing Citrus, Hernando and Marion Counties, but do best in the immediate area of Beverly Hills, Lecanto, Inverness, Crystal River and Homosassa. You’ve seen our office opposite the entrance to Pine Ridge, north of town. We put sandwich-boards out daily along 491 at Murray Street. Stop by for coffee or free maps.
Watch here for future deals; GPS sales (golf GPSes at $95 to $125. General position and mapping GPSes only $85; guitar lessons; sales of any and everything imaginable—ads here for you and for me—all free. What do you have for sale that has worth and you believe someone checking in here might want? I’ll list it for you for free. Who knows, maybe I’ll buy it outright myself.
Watch for these “newsletters” every month, or so. After you’ve seen 4 or 5, you may think. “I could’ve been in or out of a property by now (or something I wanted to sell or buy) if I’d done something after reading here. Call today with any questions. Thanks for getting this far today. Below my name are many of the listed properties for sale in our area. And, other items, as well.
Jim McGivern
jimgive@gmail.com
352-249-4484
415-271-6298 (cellphone)