The Challenge: Buying and Selling—Without the Uncertainty

When the Peterson family reached out, they had one non-negotiable: they weren’t listing their home until they found “the one” to buy. Some people are comfortable selling first, but these two weren’t willing to take the risk unless everything lined up seamlessly.

That meant we had to find their dream home first, then turn around and sell their current home fast—before they could be bumped from their subject-to-sale offer. A tall order? Maybe. But with the right preparation and strategy, we were ready to make it happen.

The Solution: A Strategic Approach to Buying First

Most clients I work with have already been watching MLS® before they reach out, so they usually have a good idea of what they like. The Petersons were no different. Their search was specific—they wanted to stay in their kids’ school catchment and keep their tight-knit neighborhood friendships intact.

Then, on our very first showing together, we walked into a home that didn’t immediately scream the one—but something about it just felt right. After a little more thought and a strategic approach to negotiations, we secured an accepted offer at one of the lowest prices the neighborhood had seen in six months.

Now, the clock was ticking. We had to sell their home fast to avoid being bumped from the deal.

Selling Their Home: Preparation Meets Opportunity

I always tell my clients: preparation is key—especially when managing both a purchase and a sale. Luckily, the Petersons had already done their part.

✔ Staging consultation? Done.
✔ Professional photos, floor plans, and video? Ready to go.
✔ House prepped and shining like a showhome? Absolutely.

The result? The home looked so good that buyers would start asking, Do they even live here? (Which is exactly what you want!)

The Unexpected Buyer Connection

Now, here’s where things get fun. In real estate, relationships matter—and sometimes, timing is everything. While heading to the listing shoot, I remembered a family who had written an offer on another one of my higher price listings the week before but couldn’t come together with my clients price expectations.

So I made a call. “Hey, I have a home coming up that I think is perfect for your buyers. Want a sneak peek?  I’m headed there now!”

Sure enough, they loved it. And just like that, before we even hit the market, we received a full-price offer that night. The Petersons couldn’t believe it—everything was falling into place exactly as planned.

Sealing the Deal: The Power of a Backup Offer

While we were thrilled, I reminded my clients: your home isn’t sold until subject removal is complete. So we stayed the course, kept marketing, and hosted two successful open houses with steady foot traffic. Then, we received a backup offer—a game-changer that gave the Petersons peace of mind and leverage with the first buyer.

A week of nail-biting later, we got the call—subject removal was official! Their townhouse was sold, and we were able to move forward with their purchase.

The Final Move: One Street Over, A Whole New Beginning

In the end, the Petersons moved just one street over, proving that even a short-distance move is still a move (hello, packing boxes everywhere!). But for them, this wasn’t just about a house—it was about keeping their community, their routines, and the life they loved while upgrading to a home that fit their growing family’s needs.

Lessons from the Petersons’ Story

• Preparation Pays Off – Getting everything ready ahead of time meant we could act fast when it mattered most.
• Strategic Buying Matters – We secured a great deal on their new home by acting decisively.
• Connections Count – A well-timed phone call led to a full-price offer before even hitting the market.
• Backup Offers = Peace of Mind – Having a second offer in place strengthened our position.

For a busy family juggling dance lessons, soccer practice, and birthday parties, a fast, seamless sale was the dream scenario. And we made it happen.\