REAL STORY:  OUT FOR CHRISTMAS

Sometimes we share stories from sellers we have worked with.  This article is about a real seller, but her name, any identifying features and the smaller suburb where she was from are all omitted.

Why?  Because we value our seller’s safety and privacy.

Homeowner Hazel had a deadline.  Well, not really, but she had a date in her mind for when she wanted to move out.  Her husband wasn’t well.  Caring for him and caring for the house had all become too much!  She had a solution:  a small property closer to the treatment places, and with no maintenance because it was brand new.  Perfect!

There were some obstacles in her way.

• The real estate agents she spoke with all gave her long lists of things to repair before they could sell her property
• She was moving to a smaller place and needed to leave a bunch of old furniture behind
• She didn’t want to wait around for a perfect buyer. Time had become precious, and her energy to deal with everything was limited.
• Plus she didn’t want to be a burden to her adult children, who were already busy with their lives, their kids and their jobs.

One of her friends suggested a private homebuyer.  Homeowner Hazel had never heard of such a thing.  She spoke with the first company and they gave her a hard sell.  No, that wouldn’t work.  But then she took a good look on her computer, and started to understand the process.

When she called the next company, she had her questions ready.  The number one worry for her, “is this legal?”  Her fears were instantly put at ease when she was told that there would be her lawyer who only represented her, and a different lawyer who would represent the professional home buyer.  Surely two lawyers would catch any problems that might arise?

Homeowner Hazel made it clear:  her highest priority was getting settled before Christmas.  She wanted to be able to enjoy the holiday season with her husband and extended family, even if they were still juggling treatments.  She knew that there aren’t as many buyers in the fall and winter months.  The private homebuyer asked, “what if we could close on November 30?  Would that work to give you enough time to unpack and settle in before Christmas?”

Homeowner Hazel’s jaw just about hit the floor.  It never occurred to her that she could pick the actual day that she moved out and the sale of the property closed.  And then, they wrote it right into the Purchase contract that she could leave furniture, possessions and any other household items behind.  Leave the stuff, pick her day and not even any cleaning after they left?  This was the solution she had hoped to find!

On Christmas morning Homeowner Hazel woke up with all the things that mattered most in the world to her:  her husband, time with her kids and grandkids, treasured keepsakes, and money in the bank.  Her stress level was manageable again.  Life was much better without that old house, and she would always have the memories.