You’ve probably heard it: “It’s a buyer’s market right now!” And while that’s great news, here’s what no one tells you: Whether it’s a buyer’s market, seller’s market, or anything in between, professional guidance still makes all the difference.
Take our clients, Chris and Hannah, for example.
A First-Time Buyer Adventure
Chris and Hannah were ready to buy their very first home. Like most first-time buyers, they were starry-eyed when they found a property they adored. But along with their excitement came a lot of unknowns. They knew how to fall in love with a home, but they didn’t know what red flags to watch for, what questions to ask, or how to protect themselves financially.
But Chris & Hannah weren't your average homebuyers. They trusted Nail & Key to go to bat for them.. and go to bat we did.
Clearing the First Hurdle
Right away, we noticed that the seller was only willing to cover 2.75% of the 3% agent commission. That may not sound like a big deal, but it meant Chris and Hannah would’ve been on the hook to pay the extra 0.25% themselves. On a purchase of this size, even a fraction of a percent adds up.
We stepped in and negotiated directly with the seller to cover the full 3%. The result? Chris and Hannah didn’t have to pay a dime out of pocket for commission. One hiccup down, one more to go.
Digging Into Inspections
Chris and Hannah’s biggest fear was the same one almost every buyer has: what if the house has expensive hidden problems?
We doubled down on inspections to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks. Sure enough, we uncovered a major issue: the home still had cast iron pipes. Most houses with cast iron plumbing are at the point where leaks and structural problems are unavoidable. To be safe, we ordered a hydrostatic test, which revealed exactly what we suspected: there was already a leak.
For most buyers, this would have been a nightmare moment. But we knew what to do, and we were even able to turn it into a win.
We went back to the sellers and negotiated. Instead of Chris and Hannah shouldering a $30,000 repair bill after moving in, the sellers agreed to replace the pipes before closing.
Adding Even More Value
While we were at it, we also pushed for an additional half-bathroom to be added to the home. From our perspective, the asking price was a little high compared to the layout, and the extra bathroom not only made the home more functional; it also helped justify the value.
And if all that weren’t enough, we still closed $5,000 under the original asking price.
The Happy Ending
When all was said and done, Chris and Hannah got the keys to their first home (without the stress, financial strain, or unpleasant surprises that could have come with it).
And that’s really the moral of the story: even in a buyer’s market, professional guidance matters. Knowing what to ask for, what to negotiate, how to strategize, and when to push back can save you tens of thousands of dollars—and sometimes even save the deal entirely.
So if you’re dreaming of homeownership, don’t go it alone. With the right team in your corner, your dream home can become a reality, with peace of mind intact.
Ready to start your own success story? Let’s chat. Give us a call at (972) 916-9646.
We can’t promise there won’t be bumps in the road, but we can promise expert guidance, every time.
