Marie Dagucon - Vail, AZ Real Estate Agent - Vail REALTOR

What year did you become a real estate agent?
1982

How many years have you been in Real Estate?
25 years in Southern California and a little over 2 years in Tucson.

What is the average home price in your market?
Average for Tucson and its surrounds is about $280K, but the median price is around $220K. I feel th

Are there any new developments or trends in your area?
There was a significant market boom in Tucson the early 2000's, but the market started getting sluggish in the latter half of 2006 and is continuing in 2007. Like the rest of the country, we are seeing a growing amount of short sales and foreclosures and bankruptcy filings. The surge of building and new developments created an inventory abundance that finally undermined resales and eventually, the newly-built sales. To me, it's just the normal cycle of socio-economic ebb & flow. In my specific area just southeast of the city of Tucson, there's been talk of a mega-mall that will surpass the size of the Mall of America. The Passages of Tucson will impact the job & housing markets when the talk becomes reality. The bedroom communities surrounding city are beginning to develop retail centers as well.

Why do you enjoy being a real estate agent?
I love the freedom, the mobility, and the opportunity to make as much or as little money as I deem necessary. I'm the boss of me. Then, there's the not so little boost when you know you've done a good job in helping people solve their housing dilemma. Service and a good work ethic are rare items in our modern world, and it appears that Service With A Smile is becoming extinct. My circle of friends grows with each satisfied client.

What is the most challenging issue you face as a Real Estate Professional?
Aside from hazards of the economic conditions, my most challenging issue is to keep motivated. The Tucson market is similar to the California market I once worked, but it is also very different. Having a customer base built up over 25 years was more comfortable and productive than starting from scratch. Keeping negativity and unproductive thoughts and actions out of my head takes energy that I sometimes don't have.

Tell us one of your client success stories or an interesting moment in your profession.
Recently, I listed a home that I felt was overpriced in terms of square footage but not in cleanliness/presentation. The wife was my main contact and she became so anxious the first couple of weeks because not only did she not have any showings but she also didn't even get one call. She would call five times a day, fretting. I kept assuring her that things would be okay, that it would only take one buyer. In our third week, another agent finally called to see if it was still available. She showed and sold it. I had my sellers wait till after a professional inspection was done on their house before we made an offer on a house we had spotted before I even put their house on the market. Their contingent offer was accepted, their buyers didn't ask for any repairs, the seller of their purchase agreed to all the repairs they requested and all the agents got along well and did their jobs even better. They were two of the most enjoyable escrows and I've added another family to my circle of friends.

What is your best characteristic?
I used to think it was loyalty or persistence, but I am beginning to think it's compassion.

Who or what inspires you the most?
Children inspire me. I get email forwards that deal with children's outlooks or their perspective on things in our world that make me marvel at the way their minds work. We grown-ups get so caught up in the complications when the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) formula is right before our noses.

What is the best advice you ever received?
The above mentioned K.I.S.S. It can apply to business, social, or familial issues. It would take too many words and time to fully explain what this means to me.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right where I am. I like to travel and this may change in the future.