Being a Real Estate Agent means constantly being surrounded by homes—touring them with clients, browsing online listings, and analyzing market trends. Not surprisingly, this constant exposure stirs up the itch to move, even when you’re perfectly happy where you are. That’s exactly what happened to me and my family. What started as casual curiosity turned into a full-blown move, one that came with lessons I’ll carry with me forever about the home buying and selling process.
The One That Got Away
It all started with a house we had interest in. The neighborhood was perfect—quiet streets, friendly neighbors, and just the right balance of privacy and community. The setting was everything we could ask for, and the property checked a lot of boxes for our dream home. But at the time, we weren’t fully committed to making a move. We put in a half-hearted offer, knowing it wasn’t our best. Predictably, we lost out to another buyer.
That loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Missing out made us realize how much we really wanted to be in that neighborhood. When another house popped up in the same area, we were ready to jump in with both feet.
First Impressions Aren’t Everything
When Brad and I first saw the house, we felt a glimmer of hope.
The Neighborhood: Exactly where we wanted to be.
The Property: Spacious, private, and surrounded by mature trees.
The Layout and Size: Perfect for our family’s needs.
Curb Appeal: My ideal aesthetic, at least structurally.
No HOA: A bonus that gave us more flexibility for future projects.
However, there was no denying the house needed attention. Two cracked windows at the front immediately caught our eye, giving the exterior a neglected and unfinished appearance. The lawn was overgrown, and the landscaping had been left untended for so long that it was hard to tell what had once been planted there. These exterior issues alone could easily have scared off potential buyers. Unfortunately, stepping inside didn’t help matters. A strong pet odor lingered throughout the home, which would deter most buyers.
Despite these drawbacks, we couldn’t help but see the potential that lay beneath the surface.
The owners were still living in the home, and they stayed on the premises during our showing. While they were kind and welcoming, having the sellers around made it harder for us to take our time and really envision the space as our own. I could tell other buyers probably had a similar experience, which could explain why this house was not getting offers in such a busy market.
Even with all its flaws, Brad and I saw the potential. It had the things you can’t change—location, layout, size, and structure. Everything else, from the landscaping to the paint to the minor repairs, could be fixed.
Seizing the Opportunity
Timing worked in our favor. The housing market was still highly competitive, but because this home needed some TLC, it wasn’t drawing as much attention. Many buyers are drawn to move-in-ready properties, and to say the least, this home didn’t give off that polished vibe. We submitted an offer we felt comfortable with, even including a home sale contingency, which was rare in a market like this. To our delight, the sellers accepted. I suspect they appreciated that we saw the potential in their home and understood its value beyond the surface.
Selling Our Old Home
Selling our previous home was a different story. As a realtor, I understand that presentation and marketing are everything when it comes to achieving top dollar. We took the time to ensure our home was completely show-ready. We started by packing smaller items into boxes, which we neatly stored in the garage—a step that greatly helped with decluttering. Next, we painted the entire house in neutral colors, polished the hardwood floors, and deep-cleaned the carpets. Each room was carefully staged to highlight its best features. We also made sure the landscaping was pristine, creating an inviting first impression. Finally, we marketed the property extensively. These efforts paid off, attracting multiple offers and giving us the opportunity to choose the one that best aligned with our needs and timeline.
The Overlap Advantage
One of the unique advantages of this move was the three-week overlap we had between selling our old home and moving into the new one. This window gave us a chance to bring in contractors and start transforming the new house before we fully moved in. We hired a painter to refresh the interior, a flooring expert to replace pet stained carpeting and refinish the main level hardwood floors, and a contractor to handle the most urgent repairs (windows). Meanwhile, Brad tackled the exterior, pouring his energy into the yard and landscaping. He mowed the overgrown lawn, trimmed back the wild shrubs, and brought life back to the neglected flower beds. By the time we moved in, the house already felt like ours.
The Final Outcome
The results of this move were better than we could have imagined. By taking the time to market and prepare our old home, we sold it for top dollar. The new house, despite needing significant updates, was purchased at a reasonable price. Even after factoring in renovation costs, we ended up paying much less than we would have for a move-in-ready home with similar features. More importantly, we created a space that felt uniquely ours, customized to fit our family’s needs.
Lessons for Buyers and Sellers
This experience reinforced some crucial lessons I often share with clients but relearned firsthand during our own move:
Look Beyond the Surface. It’s easy to get caught up in a home’s cosmetic flaws, but remember that paint, landscaping, and minor repairs are all fixable. Focus on what you can’t change, like location, layout, and property size.
Presentation Is Key. If you’re selling your home, take the time to make it shine. A clean, staged home with thoughtful updates can significantly increase its appeal and market value.
Step Out During Showings. Sellers, give buyers the space to imagine themselves in your home. Staying on-site can unintentionally create an awkward environment and make buyers feel rushed.
Be Strategic. In competitive markets, you don’t always need to compete for the most polished property. Sometimes, taking on a fixer-upper can lead to incredible value if you’re willing to put in the work.
Moving is rarely easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding when approached with the right mindset. For us, this cross-town move wasn’t just about finding a house—it was about creating a home, one that perfectly suits our family and our lifestyle. The journey taught us the power of vision and the importance of seeing potential where others might not.