Success Story #3
When Patience Pays Off: How Tammy and Kenny Found the Right Home in Theodore at the Right Price
A patient search, a stronger negotiating position and a complicated title issue resolved in time for closing.
Snapshot
- Buyers
- Tammy and Kenny
- Home
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large front yard and mature trees
- Location
- Theodore, AL
- Agent
- Kelli Salter
- Result
- Tens of thousands of dollars negotiated off the price, a title issue resolved, and closing in about three weeks
Where we started
The Story
When Tammy and Kenny reached out to us, they had just been through a selling experience that left them frustrated. They'd sold their home in Coden, and communication had been one of the hardest parts.
For their next move, they knew exactly what they wanted in an agent: a full-time professional who would take good care of them, keep them informed and pick up the phone. That mattered to them just as much as the house itself.
The path to the right home
Patience created leverage.
The Search Took Time
Tammy and Kenny had a budget, and they knew what they were looking for. So we looked, and looked, and kept looking.
Along the way, they worried the market might move against them before the right house came along. That's a fair worry, and it's one we hear often. Our advice was to be patient. The market was starting to shift, and over time that shift began working in their favor.
Instead of rushing into the wrong house out of fear of missing out, they stayed focused on the right fit. That patience saved them a lot of money.
Then We Found the One
Eventually, we found a home in Theodore that checked every box: three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a beautiful piece of property with a huge front yard and mature trees. It was the kind of place they'd been waiting for.
Finding it was only the beginning.
The Negotiation Made the Difference
Because the market had become more favorable to buyers, Tammy and Kenny were in a position to negotiate. We were able to bring the purchase price down by tens of thousands of dollars.
That's what waiting for the right opportunity looks like. Settling earlier would have cost them that leverage.
Contract to closing
A Fast Closing With Complicated Details
From there, things moved quickly. We got them from contract to closing in about three weeks, and that took more than picking a closing date.
The property had a complicated title situation that needed to be resolved fast. Here's what me and my team handled:
- Staying on top of the title issue until it was resolved
- Coordinating the home inspection with an inspector we trust
- Bringing out a contractor we work with to look at the home
- Making sure the crawl-space repairs were completed before closing
- Keeping Tammy and Kenny updated at every step, the way they preferred to hear from us
The inspection and the contractor's review gave them confidence they were making a strong purchase.
Communication is service
Communication Was Part of the Service
Tammy and Kenny never had to wonder whether someone was working on the title issue. They never had to chase down inspection details or guess what came next.
Often the most stressful part of a real estate transaction isn't the problem itself. It's not knowing what's happening with it.
The outcome
The Result
Tammy and Kenny found the home they'd been searching for, within their budget. They negotiated tens of thousands of dollars off the price, had the home inspected and evaluated by people they trusted, saw the title issue resolved and the repairs completed, and closed in about three weeks.
The market they once worried would work against them ended up helping them get a far better deal. Their patience paid off.
- Negotiated
- Tens of thousands off
- Timeline
- About three weeks
- Title
- Issue resolved
What This Means If You're Buying on a Budget
Being on a budget doesn't mean you have to settle for the first house you can afford. Sometimes the right strategy is to keep looking, understand what the market is doing, and be ready to negotiate when the right home comes along.
And if you've been through a transaction where you never knew what was happening, you're allowed to expect better. You should know where things stand, what happens next, and who to call when you have a question.
Results described reflect one client’s transaction and are not a guarantee of similar outcomes. Camellia Real Estate Group, brokered by eXp Realty.
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