06/15/2026
A few days ago, I found myself praying over a real estate offer.
Not because it was my biggest deal.
Not because it was my most profitable.
But because it forced me to choose between protecting my investment and helping someone achieve the dream of owning their first home.
The property wasn't just another listing. It was a home I personally purchased, completely remodeled, and listed myself. I had invested months of work, a great deal of money, and countless hours into the project.
When the offer came in, my first reaction was, "Are they serious?" It was so far below my asking price that I honestly felt defensive and a little insulted. My first instinct was to send back an equally outrageous counteroffer.
Instead, I stopped.
I kept asking myself one question:
Why would someone make an offer like this?
Rather than make assumptions, I called the buyer's agent.
We spoke for about 35 minutes, and during that conversation I learned that his client was a single mother who had rented her entire life. She had worked hard, made sacrifices, and was finally in a position to buy her first home. She already lived in the neighborhood, loved this house, and wanted to stay there.
That conversation changed everything.
The problem was that making the numbers work meant I would have to give up all of my profit and actually lose money on the transaction.
That night, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I'm a faith-based person, and one question kept running through my mind:
Why is God putting this opportunity in front of me right now?
I prayed for wisdom and clarity, asking God to help me do the right thing—not the most profitable thing.
The next morning, I woke up believing there was only one way to make it work.
I sent the buyer's agent a message:
"I think there's only one way we can make this happen. It requires me to lose money, and it requires you to forgo your commission. We'd both be doing it for the good of your client. I will absorb the loss. Would you be willing to do the same?"
A few hours later, he replied that they couldn't make it work and would be moving on.
I still wasn't ready to give up.
I spent another hour talking with the buyer's lender, trying to better understand the situation and see if there was another way to help this buyer become a homeowner. Based on what I learned, I prepared a different counteroffer that gave her another opportunity while still protecting the value of my investment.
Whether this transaction closes or not really isn't the point.
What has stayed with me is this:
Every contract has a person on the other side.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that while we're negotiating prices, inspections, repairs, and commissions.
Over the years, there have been times when I've worked without compensation because it was the right thing to do. Not because anyone expected it, and certainly not because it made financial sense.
Do I value my work? Absolutely.
But I also believe there are moments when people matter more than profit.
I got into real estate because I believe homeownership changes lives. It creates stability, builds wealth, and gives families a place to call home.
I don't expect everyone to make the same decision I was willing to make. Every situation is different.
But this experience reminded me why I chose this profession.
At the end of my career, I won't remember every commission check I've earned.
I'll remember the lives I had the opportunity to impact.
And I hope I never lose sight of that.
