When Preparation Pays Off: A First-Time Homebuyer Success Story

Sometimes clients come to us with a really clear picture of what they want and they have done all the work to make sure they’re ready to go and get it. This was definitely the case with Brandon and Rachel who are now settling into their new home just over a month after first contacting us!

When this couple was ready to purchase their first home, they reached out to our team via our website and Beth Benner and I hopped right on the phone with them to find out how we could help. During the call we learned more about Brandon and Rachel and talked with them about their current position, why they wanted to make a move, what their dream home looked like, and where it would ideally be located. Just a few days later, we hopped in our cars and started touring some properties seeing everything from homes built in 1990 to homes built in 1900! We got to see some really fun houses while they searched for the right one. (Little did we know, it wouldn't take very long!)

From the moment we stepped foot into the house, it was clear there was excitement in the air. We quickly started discussing how this house might work for them and how they would set up each room (always a good sign!). Not only was the layout perfect for what they were looking for, it checked all of their boxes: space to host their board game nights with friends with enough room for a game table, room for both of them to have home offices and for guests to come and stay, a nice garage that could potentially become a home gym, and a beautiful backyard to enjoy with the best feature yet: a small, easy to maintain fig tree!

This was the one!

It was quite a whirlwind from there! Beth and I worked quickly to run comps and get in touch with the listing agent and before we knew it, they were in contract. Better yet, they got the house for under list price!

Next up were home inspections to make sure that everything was in good working order. During the inspection period, we found that this home may be on a non-conforming sewer line so Beth and I helped coordinate between the sewer company, the city, and the listing agent to discuss reasonable next steps. In the end, we negotiated some great terms for Brandon and Rachel including a credit toward their closing costs, a few repairs prior to closing, and the sellers also committed to creating a formal easement for that non-conforming sewer line.

We were also able to get an appraisal waiver for this one, meaning that the lender did not feel that an appraiser needed to go out to the property to give their opinion of the home’s value (ie. the bank was confident in our buyers)!

It was smooth sailing to closing from there and before we knew it, Beth and I were meeting the couple to hand over the keys to their very first home. Next stop? Moving in, which was going to start the very next day!

I am so happy that Beth and I could help Brandon and Rachel find a home that fits their dreams and is move-in ready. Congratulations, you two! You’re officially homeowners!