Hiking in the Neighborhood

The view from the top of the trail.

You never know what the future will bring when you are selling your home. 

We represent the sellers of a home in Summerland. The buyers had requested the gas company check the appliances to make certain all were functioning properly. The gas man turned  off the water heater. It was sitting on the floor of the garage with an open burner. Modern day water heaters have a closed burner system. You don't have to worry about CO2 build-up.

So what does this have to do with hiking?

Buyer and Seller had negotiated a deal for raising the water heater 18" off the ground. Seller gave Buyer a credit, for Buyer to complete work after close of escrow. We only had a couple of days before close, and it seemed simpler for Buyer to take care of this in a more leisurely way.
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It's now Thursday morning, the day before closing. I head over to Summerland to let the housecleaners in. We discover there is no water. No Water!! This is not good. The cleaners leave.

I call the water district. They had been there late Wednesday afternoon reading the meter for the final billing. They noticed water streaming from the garage, and shut the main off as a cautionary measure. The water heater had failed. ​

​I have to perform the "pull the rabbit out of the hat trick." 

​With only 24 hours before close three
things need to happen.
​

• Have the water turned back on
• Hire a plumber to install a new water heater
• Reschedule the cleaners for later that day

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I felt more like a conductor than a magician. Like a fine symphony, within minutes the water district came and turned the water on. The plumber arrived an hour later and installed a brand spanking new water heater. It wasn't even lunchtime yet. The cleaners promised to come back after lunch.

The other view from the top.

Back to hiking.
I arrived back at the house at 5 o'clock to check in on the cleaners and lock the doors. They weren't quite finished and needed another hour or so.
 
Oliver was with me. He always loves a run up a trail. Greenwell Preserve was just a few minutes away. It is a sweet little neighborhood trail leading from the bottom of Greenwell to Ortega Ridge. You can make it a loop by walking along Ortega Ridge for a bit and then down Greenwell.

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​It's now Friday morning, and I am waiting for the call from escrow to confirm closing. It was an eventful day yesterday. I'm glad I was able to get it all done.

The best part was Oliver and I were able to enjoy a late afternoon neighborhood hike, meet some friendly neighbors along the way and enjoy the sun setting in the Pacific.

I like being a Realtor, it has its perks.