The Couple

Joe and Marie have a blended family. With their children finished with school and beginning their own careers and families, Joe and Marie started thinking ahead to their next stage of life.

Their work lives had shifted, too. They were spending more time working from home and less time commuting into the office. With that in mind, they approached us to help them find a home that would fit their new lifestyle.

We asked lots of questions, explored different areas, and began the process in earnest.

The Pre-Game

Because we knew things could move quickly once they found the right home, we helped them prepare in advance to avoid last-minute surprises. Together, we:

• Spoke with a loan officer about financing options.

• Pre-inspected their current home to identify potential issues early.

• Packed and stored items they didn’t need right away.

• Had outdoor photos taken on a clear day to capture their home at its best.

• Walked through the house to evaluate staging needs and decide what to remove once a new property was secured.

The Buy Side

One of Joe and Marie’s biggest priorities was moving to a less congested area with plenty of outdoor activities. They also wanted to remain close — but not too close — to highways for easy access to family, work, and the airport.

As we toured homes, their wants and needs became clearer. Eventually, we found the perfect fit. They made an offer, it was accepted, and the purchase was contingent on selling their current home.

The Sell Side

From the beginning, we determined that the best strategy was to find their next home first, and then list their current one.

Fortunately, Joe and Marie had prepared in advance. They tackled small repairs, completed a pre-inspection (so there would be no surprises for buyers), had professional outdoor photos taken, and identified what needed to be stored. Marie’s excellent eye for design made staging simple — we only needed to thin out some larger furniture and remove a few personal items.

So when they found their new home, they were ready to move quickly. The “For Sale” sign went up right away, and we launched a marketing plan with mailers, MLS listing, and multiple open houses.

The Closing

Once their current home sold, our focus shifted to coordinating the closings on both properties. With two transactions happening simultaneously, careful oversight was key. We worked closely with the escrow company to track progress, resolve open items quickly, and ensure everything was executed smoothly.