05/12/2026
A few months ago, I helped some clients purchase what we all thought would be their “forever home.” They loved it, I loved it, and honestly, I figured they’d be there for 30 years.
But life had other plans. Less than 6 months later, they needed to sell.
This is where you really find out how good you are as a Realtor.
The challenge?
We had negotiated a strong purchase price when they bought, but the market had softened since then. On top of that, the previous purchase price was public knowledge — meaning we had to convince a new buyer to pay MORE than what my clients had just paid months earlier.
My clients trusted the process completely. They followed every piece of advice from my team, prepared the home beautifully, and we quickly received an offer over their purchase price — about 5% higher.
I was ecstatic.
But my clients pushed me a little further and asked if we could do even better. I’ll admit, I was nervous about trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice.
Then, while negotiating with the first buyer, a second interested party came forward. We were able to leverage the competition, and the second offer ultimately came in OVER LIST price.
In the end, my clients were able to sell, cover all their fees, and still walk away with a profit in a declining market.
A few key lessons from this experience:
1️⃣ Negotiate hard on the purchase.
Buying even 2% below market value can make a massive difference later.
2️⃣ Presentation matters.
People will pay a premium for a home that feels special, polished, and move-in ready.
3️⃣ The best results come from teamwork.
My clients challenged me, trusted me, and stayed fully engaged throughout the process. That collaboration made all the difference.
Real estate isn’t just about markets — it’s about strategy, preparation, and working together when things don’t go according to plan.