Page 36 of Heating Up (Nugget)
Gia nodded, taking it all in. “You said someone is leasing the land for his cattle. If I owned the property, could I still lease it out while I lived here, and how much does a lease like that go for?”
“You absolutely can do that. I’d have to check how much the current rancher is paying, but the price fluctuates based on demand and the beef market. Right now the demand for grazing land is high because of the drought. But the lease is only for the spring, summer, and early fall. When it starts getting cold, the cattle will be moved to warmer climates.”
“Wow,” Gia said. “You know your stuff, don’t you?”
“I try.”
“I want it.” Gia gazed out over the land. “But not for eleven mil. That seems too high.”
“You have nothing to lose by making an offer.” That was all Dana could really say, adding, “I can give you comps as far as dollar per acre, but not all land is created equal. This has plenty of water, an amazing house, and you’re right on the river.”
“How motivated is the seller?”
“He’s sitting in a jail cell right now, fighting a first-degree murder charge.” Dana could at least say that since it was part of the public record. It was up to Gia to read between the lines. “But if Ray entertains offers that are much lower than the asking price, you’ll have some competition. Both neighbors, Clay McCreedy and Lucky Rodriguez, have shown interest in the property.”
“Just not at that price,” Gia said.
Dana nodded. “As your agent, I want to give you the best advice I can. But I’m also the seller’s agent, which ties my hands somewhat. I would completely understand if you want to make an offer through another agency.”
Gia deliberated a few minutes. “Nope, I want to go through you. You’re knowledgeable, and I get the sense you’re ethical, which, given what I’ve been through, is a breath of fresh air. How tapped in are these neighbors to negotiations? You’re not representing them too?”
“No. It’s all been informal. Ray and Clay are friends, so they talk, even from jail. Ray hates Lucky, but in this town nothing remains secret.”
Gia chuckled. “I’ve never been involved with something like this . . . cattle rustlers, jailhouse real estate deals.... It’s a little crazy here, isn’t it?”
“A little bit. But it’s a good place. You want to go to the office, or we can do the paperwork in your hotel room?”
“The office would probably be easier, right?”
“We have a small conference room that’s private.” Dana couldn’t believe this was happening; even if Ray cut his price, it would be the most expensive property she’d ever sold.
“That’ll work.”
They hiked back to the car and Dana started for town, giving Gia a sideways glance. “Do you have to sell your penthouse first?”
“That won’t be a problem. Though depending on the price we settle on, I may need a little time to gather up extra funds. You think we could do a sixty-day escrow?”
“Ray would probably be okay with that.”
For much of the afternoon, Gia examined the comps, and together they wrote up a clean offer. She explained to Gia that given Ray’s living situation, all communication had to go through his lawyers, and that it could take a little time to get an answer.
“I’ll need it to pull together my own funding,” Gia said.
After all the Ts were crossed, the Is dotted, and the paperwork signed, Dana ran Gia back to the inn.
“You sure you don’t want me to bring you up dinner?” Dana asked as Gia got out of the car, searching the square like she expected a reporter to jump out of the bushes.
“They have wine and afternoon snacks in the hotel. That’ll do me.”
“You have my cell if you need anything. And I’ll call you as soon as I hear.”
Gia crouched down in front of Dana’s window. “Remember, you’re bound by the nondisclosure contract. As far as anyone is to know, the offer is being made by the T Corporation.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
* * *
Gia would just have to trust her. Unfortunately, people had been known to walk right through confidentiality agreements into the pages of theNational Enquirer. But somehow Dana Calloway seemed too honorable for that. Not to mention that if this deal went through, she stood to make a good chunk of change, more than any tabloid would pay her.
