I closed a really cool one this year. You want the tea? I’ll spill because it’s honestly a fun story. It started while I wasn’t even in the country. I was on a cruise heading to a vacation destination! This woman had made a post in one of the local Facebook groups just asking for a Realtor. We’ve all seen ‘em — the posts where you have 97 recommendations in 32 minutes and SOMEHOW 95 different Realtors all got recommended as ‘the best’; as statistically unlikely as that may be. I answered the post and left a few recommendations for her to ask of her potential agent and went on my way! Again, I was on a cruise with my (then) fiance, so my priorities were not on Facebook.

But, after some research, she chose to reach out to me… while I was on a cruise. She fully expected to get a “hey, I’m on a cruise, I’ll get back to you next week.” Instead, she got a buyer consultation through a Facebook Messenger chat - no different than any other client at any time. She still says, that right there is what cemented me as the agent for her family. We got them through some preliminary credit items and moved them into the pre-approval stage.

Newly married, trying to improve their station in life, and finally had a pre-approval in hand ready to house shop!

This is a screenshot from our first conversation!

The process for this couple wasn’t easy. We actually got a verbally accepted home fairly early in the process. The listing agent was ready to open escrow, inspections scheduled, and he had sent the offer to his seller for signature. But, this was a new widow. And the thought of leaving her forever home where she and her husband created a life was still fresh in her mind. After three days of no signature, she peacefully said she wouldn’t be signing as she needed more time to grieve.

It was a whirlwind. My buyers genuinely saw themselves in this home — it had every need, every want. It seemed like the perfect spot. And I think they would have been very happy there. But, life had other plans. As painful as this turn of events ended up being. I came back to that home a few times, even wrote a hand-written letter to the seller months later to see if she might reconsider (it had been taken off the market permanently after our ordeal).

But our hunt continued. Multiple offers, and even more showings. Onward. Trudging. 7 months to finally go under contract on what would be their home.

From just asking questions to closing on a home with $15,000 in closing assistance and a new roof to show for it. This family is in a very different place. And right now, I’m coordinating with them to find an evening so I can make them a luxurious dinner. Something like this 👇👇👇 Because, this Realtor has skills both on and off the field!

A savory blueberry sauce over seasoned chicken breast with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted garam masala carrots

Their life has changed! The future is left to reveal if it changed for the better, but homeowners have an average net worth 40x higher than perennial renters. So history is on their side. I saw tears of joy from this woman. I watched a grown man scream in excitement! They experienced a life changing moment.

From asking for a Realtor in Facebook group

To setting up a one on one buyer consult to ask a thousand questions and listen to me tell you how I’ve helped hundreds of other families with the exact questions you’re asking. She then got pre qualified with Tim Huie with The Mortgage Chaps. She had serious concerns about her monthly payment and it was imperative she stayed within a comfortable monthly payment. We had the exact purchase price with allowable HOA fees, taxes, and insurance to keep their payment comfortable.

And now they’re happy homeowners!

The transaction had some struggles - and we had some serious scares. The appraisal came in low. Fortunately, the sellers and the agent worked with us and we got that settled. The roof replacement went long, we had some weather delays, our interest rate lock expired and we had to calculate to the day when we could close - predicting the weather, roofer schedules, and the Earth’s rotation around the sun - because every day is another dollar when extending a rate lock. Our calculations were right, our clients trust in us was well placed, and they closed.

Some closings mean a lot more than others — and this one, a client turned into a family friend. This is what The Kilted Family looks like.

If you’re interested in learning more about all of this, you can reach out to me directly james@kiltedteam.com or, if you prefer to lurk in the background, you can join my active Facebook group for Seminole County (and surrounding Central Florida) . You can also just click "follow” on my personal page - I post a lot of content, both personal and professional, to help you learn if I’m the agent for you!