I was hosting an open house at my listing when a vibrant young couple walked in. We started talking, and right away I could feel their excitement — the kind you only see in first-time home buyers who are dreaming about a fresh start. They told me how much they hoped to live in this community because of the schools, the parks, and how close everything was. I could tell they were already imagining their life here. They shared their contact info and left.
We were in contract with another family couple of days after I met the vibrant couple. Two weeks later, I received a call from them saying they wanted me to represent them as their buyer’s agent. As a Realtor, that moment is special — especially when you know they’re placing their trust in you during one of the biggest decisions of their lives. They signed the Buyer Broker Representation Agreement immediately.
They wanted to stay in the same neighborhood as my listing. Another home came up, and although they loved it, the offer was going to push them past their comfort zone. They made the smart decision not to overstretch their budget — something I always support with first-time buyers.
That home went into contract too. They were disappointed but stayed hopeful.
We kept searching. I showed them homes in other areas, and even when they found one they liked, they didn’t feel fully ready to move forward — and that is completely normal for buyers navigating such an emotional process.
Then, unexpectedly, I received a call: the buyers on my listing needed yet another extension. After two previous extensions, my sellers were frustrated and decided to cancel. The home had already been de-staged. It was a stressful moment — for both my sellers and me — because we needed to re-stage, re-market, and start over.
In that moment, I remembered the couple who had fallen in love with the home from the very beginning. I reached out, explained the situation honestly, and they immediately said, “Yes — we want it.”
We wrote an offer.
The seller accepted.
And we closed smoothly within 21 days.
Seeing their faces on closing day was priceless. They never imagined they’d get the very first home they fell in love with. And my sellers were relieved and happy to finally move forward. It truly was a win for both sides.
Not every real estate journey is smooth — especially for first-time buyers or sellers. There are moments of uncertainty, stress, delays, and surprises. But staying calm, staying focused, and advocating fiercely for your clients always leads to the best outcome.
I’m proud of how this one came together. These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do.
If you — or someone you know — is thinking about buying or selling, I’d be honored to guide you through the process with clarity, care, and commitment. You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Thank you
Rajiv Kohli
408-835-4317
