Blog Buyer If At First You Don't Succeed

If At First You Don’t Succeed

By Natalie Tracy, November 18, 2021

Katie and Krista had a clear picture of what they wanted in their first home. A lovely home in a lovely location. With home offices, a home gym, and room for guests. But they weren’t sure exactly where they wanted to land or if they could actually get what they wanted in the competitive late spring/summer market. We strategized and processed and distilled down the ‘must haves’ versus the ‘nice to haves’. And then we saw A LOT of houses.

I love this part of the journey with my clients. The casting of a broad net, and then mindfully sorting through a day’s/week’s/months’s haul of listings. Learning what hits the mark and what doesn’t. The growing confidence that I could preview a home without them, and know whether or not it could be “the one”.

It’s so much about listening and watching. How do they react to a particular house? To a particular location. To a house that could use a kitchen overhaul and then some. To a house that’s had a kitchen overhaul and then some. Pulling in their fantastic local lender to fill in the numbers end of the picture. Because how folks react to a home is very much impacted by their particular home buying big picture. And no one can make good decisions without information. Without people in their corner guiding them along the way.

I love this part of the journey. What I love even more is finding “the one”. With Katie and Krista, that took a few swings and misses. They ended up in second place twice, on really lovely houses, in really lovely locations. Fast forward a few months. We found ourselves walking into the loveliest house in the loveliest location. It was their favorite location yet. And we all felt it the minute we walked in the door.

Krista took one step in and said “This is it, this is our house!” And Katie and I knew she was right.

And she was.

There was TOUGH competition for the house. And TOUGH navigating of party sewer lines and oil tanks and leaning chimneys. But when it’s “the one”, it has a way of working out.

And it did. They hung in there. They stayed focused on the end game. They had a great team in their corner. And we all worked together to make it a go.

And now they have the lovely home in the lovely location. With home offices, a home gym, and room for guests. The home that checks so many boxes and then some. I can’t wait to see them make it their own!

Natalie Tracy

Broker | OR & WA

She/Her

I purchased my first Portland fixer 17 years ago, and was immediately hooked on Portland homes and neighborhoods. I bring that passion to helping my clients buy and sell their own perfectly Portland homes! I pride myself on meeting every client exactly where you are - whether you’re a first time buyer, a seller looking for more room, or anywhere in between, I’m here to help...
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  • T: 503-841-4686
  • natalietracy@livingroomre.com

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