"Well, it helps to know what's on the market. Are you currently in ownership?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do you own now? Are you selling?"

"Oh. No, I rent. I'm looking to buy. Something small like this."

"Children?"

"Just me."

LeValley opened the door and called out a hello just to make sure no one was home. When there was no answer, she waved Cassie in first.

"Then this should be perfect. It's just two bedrooms but the living spaces are large and very open. I think it's just darling. You'll see."

They walked into the house and LeValley put her briefcase down. She then offered her hand and introduced herself again.

"Karen Palty," Cassie lied as she shook the broker's hand.

LeValley gave a quick description of the attributes and assets of the house. From her briefcase she took out a stack of printed fliers containing information on the house and gave Cassie one as she talked. Cassie nodded occasionally but was barely listening. Instead she was intensely scrutinizing the furnishings and the other belongings of the family who lived in the house. She stole long glances at the photos on the walls and on tables and chests. LeValley told her to go ahead and browse while she set up the sign-in sheet and information packets on the dining room table.

The house was very neatly kept and Cassie wondered how much of that was due to the fact that it was being shown to potential buyers. She moved into a short hallway and then up the stairs that led to two bedrooms and bathroom above. She stepped a few feet into the master bedroom and looked around. The room had a large bay window that looked out on the steep rock hillside at the rear of the house. LeValley called from below, seemingly knowing exactly what Cassie was looking at and thinking.

"Mudslides are not a problem. The hillside out there is extruded granite. It's probably been there for ten thousand years and, believe me, it's not going anywhere. But if you are seriously interested in the property, I would suggest you get a geological survey done. If you buy it, it will help you sleep better at night."