Two Homes. Two True Stories.
One Approach to Selling Well.
Two of our September sales reminded us of something we see often in real estate: a successful sale usually starts well before the home hits the market.
These two properties had very different stories. One involved a longtime family home and a decision about whether to sell as-is or prepare it for market. The other was a condo sale that encountered an unexpected HOA assessment just before closing.
Different homes. Different challenges. But both required the same things from us: a clear plan, smart pricing, the right people, and steady guidance when something unexpected came up.
True Story #1
Radford Avenue: Sell As-Is or Prepare the Home for Market?
Our Radford Avenue story began long before there was a For Sale sign outside.
After our client's mother passed away, her daughter was left with a home containing nearly 40 years of belongings, collectibles, and memories. Before the property could even be prepared for sale, there were personal decisions to make about what to keep, donate, give away, or let go.
We brought in professional organizer Carrie O'Brien to help make that process more manageable. Once the home was cleared, our client had another important decision to make: accept an as-is offer from a developer, or invest in some strategic improvements and bring the property to market herself.
We ran the numbers together and decided the second option was worth exploring.
The work was thoughtful, not excessive. Rudy Garrido handled repairs and painting. Victor Reyes of Rhino Hardwood Floors removed the old carpeting and uncovered beautiful original oak floors underneath. Kerri and Marcus of Style by Design staged the home, and Engel Studios photographed it.
We also made a point of not changing everything just for the sake of making the house look newer. The original knotty pine stayed. It was part of the home's character, and we chose to work with it rather than erase it.
The Pricing Decision
Before going live, we reviewed the latest comparable sales again. A similar, more updated home had recently sold, so we recommended pricing strategically below that sale rather than trying to chase it.
That decision mattered.
After the first weekend of open houses, we had multiple interested buyers. The person who ultimately purchased the home was actually the first buyer through the door.
After the cost of preparing the property, our seller walked away with approximately $215,000 more than she would have received from the as-is offer.
The lesson here is not that every home should be renovated before selling. Sometimes an as-is sale is absolutely the right choice.
The important part is understanding both options before making the decision.
Before accepting an investor or flipper offer, it can be worth asking one simple question: what could this home be worth if we prepared it for the market ourselves?
True Story #2
Jules Exum's Condo Sale: Multiple Offers, Then an $11,000 Surprise
Our second September sale came with a completely different challenge.
True Story Realty agent Jules Exum was helping friends sell their condo. Like the Radford sellers, they had a choice: sell the property in its current condition, or make some cosmetic improvements and present it at its best.
They chose to prepare it.
Rudy Garrido painted and refreshed the condo. Kerri and Marcus of Style by Design staged it, and Engel Studios handled the photography and marketing.
Jules then focused closely on pricing. With condo sales moving more slowly, she studied the most recent comparable sales and recommended listing just below the latest relevant comp.
The sellers trusted the strategy.
The condo received multiple offers, and the sellers accepted an offer over asking.
An Unexpected HOA Special Assessment
Everything was moving toward closing. Then came the surprise.
Just before closing, the sellers received notice of an HOA special assessment of more than $11,000.
That kind of last-minute development can create uncertainty very quickly. The buyer needed the information, the financial responsibility had to be addressed, and everyone needed to understand what would happen next.
Jules made sure the buyer and the buyer's agent received the information and kept communication moving while the parties worked toward a solution.
The buyer decided to continue with the purchase. The seller agreed to pay the assessment from the sale proceeds.
And the transaction closed.
This is the part of real estate that often happens behind the scenes.
Getting an offer is important, but an agent's work does not stop once a property goes under contract. Transactions can change. New information can come up. Problems need to be communicated clearly and handled before they become bigger than they need to be.
What These Two Sales Have in Common
Radford Avenue and Jules' condo were very different properties with very different circumstances.
But the approach was the same.
We looked at the seller's options before making decisions. We prepared each property based on what actually made sense. We priced according to the market buyers were seeing at that moment. And when something unexpected happened, we stayed involved and helped work through it.
That is what good real estate representation should look like.
Selling a home is not simply about putting it in the MLS and waiting for a buyer. It is knowing what to improve, what to leave alone, how to position the property, how to price it, and how to keep a transaction moving when the plan changes.
Thinking About Selling?
If you are thinking about selling and you are not sure where to begin, you do not need to have all the answers first.
You may be wondering whether to sell as-is, make repairs, stage the property, or invest in a few updates. We can help you look at the home, the numbers, and the options before you decide.
Helping you figure that out is part of what we do.
Real conversations. Honest guidance. No pressure.
