DOWN UNDER

"G'day mate."

Cliff and I spent the last three weeks in Australia, exploring Sydney, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, visiting the rain forest, trekking in the outback, bicycling and hiking through remote areas of Tasmania ("Tasie" to the Aussies), and finishing in Melbourne at the Australian Open. It was a bucket-list trip to be sure, and I loved nearly every minute of it (aside from the 110° temperatures in Ayres Rock which were too much for this Bay Area gal).

I believe this marks our seventh or eighth overseas trip with Backroads, and true to form, it didn't disappoint. And while the spectacular scenery is often the selling point for pursuing such remote destinations and locals (it's NOT the bike shorts which should probably be banned for anyone over 50), it's the people you meet along the way that make these outings truly special. From our intrepid and fearless guides, (kudos to Marco and Axelle), to the other enthusiastic participants across the U.S and Canada, we've yet to go on a trip where we didn't walk away with newfound perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and better yet, new friends. Invariably, we meet as strangers and end up as family . . . .

To no one's surprise, being chosen as Backroads guide is no easy feat, beginning with countless interviews, followed by intensive training, not to mention emergency medical instruction (accidents are rare but they can happen). But what's abundantly clear about this extraordinary group of young leaders, is that they ALL have other available career options, but CHOOSE a nomadic and international lifestyle instead.

Highly educated (college graduates, Masters degrees, PHDs, etc.), many of our guides have left higher-paying jobs in the traditional sector to follow their hearts' desire, which typically includes an insatiable curiosity about the world in general, acceptance of other people and cultures, creative problem solving, the ability to roll with the punches, and a love of all things outdoors. On their rare weeks off, you'll usually find these remarkable millennials backpacking, bicycling, and pursuing even more remote and rigorous avenues of adventure on their own. In short, the guides don't just adopt the Backroads ethos, they live it!

Truly international (and with lilting accents to prove it), perhaps the number-one quality the Backroads guides possess is "empathy," along with the ability to anticipate their client's needs. From the drivers to the leaders, "team work" and collaboration are front and center in everything they do, and it shows. It's why it's not uncommon to meet other "roadies" who have notched double-digit tours, returning time and again to Backroads adventures. (Japan may be next for us.)

The concept of "teamwork" hasn't been lost on the real estate community (you knew I'd find a tie-in eventually,) in fact, the evolution of "teams," (NOT computers and not AI) has probably been the biggest change thus far in my 20+ years of selling, and it's with good reason. Real estate is a demanding 24/7, 365 days-a-year profession that requires ongoing vigilance, quick response times, and creative pivoting whenever necessary. It's an "all hands on deck," pursuit that actually benefits from many people's strengths and talents. And while Sarah and I are both workaholics at our core, we couldn't tackle the breadth and scope of our practice (nor take much-needed time off) without our own amazing team (and families) who support our efforts along the way. Consequently, we've learned to delegate many of the tasks of home preparation to our project managers who have become incredibly adept at their craft, and frankly, better at it.

At the same time, we recognize that our clients our hiring us for our experience, so our "team" has remained purposefully small. That's by design. We're not interested in expanding into unfamiliar territories, representing what we don't know, handing our clients off to others, or spreading ourselves too thin. We specialize in transforming properties in the East Bay and selling them quickly, often with exceptional results. Like the Backroads guides, we're typically taking our Buyers and Sellers through an intense journey, requiring trust as its core component. In short, we're diligent, knowledgeable, and we love what we do.

So if your new year's resolutions involve a change of venue that includes the sale or the purchase of a home, we're here to assist. Let us (and our amazing team) offload the stress of moving, because we're up for the adventure!

Or as the Aussies say, "Bob's your uncle." (They DO actually say that.)

How can we help you?

PS: A big thank you to our guides and to Backroads which was founded in the Bay Area and still houses its corporate offices in Berkeley. As always, the trip was fabulous, and on a personal note, thank you to Sarah, Kate, Elizabeth, and Jill.