Case Study: A Buyer’s Pursuit of The Ideal Vacation Home (How It Came Together)
The buyers of 55 Brenda Lane started their journey to ownership like many others who invest in their first home on Scenic 30A. They heard about the area through friends in Atlanta and visited a couple of times, falling in love with all that 30A has to offer. The beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches, crystal clear emerald green waters, coastal dune lakes, bikeable boardwalks, quaint and unique beach towns, thousands of acres of state forests, and lack of high-rise condos lining the beach, all play into what makes this area so special to so many. At the beginning of our search, they were set on buying in one of the communities they loved visiting, such as Rosemary Beach or Alys Beach. Rental Income was also a very important factor in their decision-making process with their preference for new construction. We viewed many homes along 30A and, upon our recommendation, they agreed to take a look at 55 Brenda Lane. Although the home was not in one of their initially-desired communities, it was just next door, allowing them to enjoy all the community offers without the higher price tag. Ultimately, they came to the realization that a home in one of 30A’s popular communities and getting the best return on investment would not coincide. As professional real estate agents, we are cognizant of where the current market is and where it’s going. What new developments are being built that will increase the value? What might cause it to decrease? Is the neighborhood on its way up or down? Our clients returned home with a clearer picture of what their money would buy, but were still unsure which direction to take.
Over the next few weeks, we stayed in close contact with the listing agents of the homes on their hot list. One Sunday morning, we received word that 55 Brenda Lane had received an offer. We reached out to our buyers to update them on the situation because we believed it might be the right home for them and wanted them to have a fair opportunity to make an offer. Unbeknownst to us, they had been weighing the pros and cons and were leaning heavily toward this home. Knowing there was a chance they could lose it, they decided to go for it. We were able to coach them to make a strong offer on the home without multiple contingencies to muddy the waters. In a multiple offer situation, the seller holds the cards on how they want to proceed. Little did we know that the other offer was riddled with contingencies that diminished its strength. Even though their offer came in first, the seller decided to work directly with us before responding to the first offer. In addition to a clean offer, the listing agent knew the caliber of the customers our team represents and the qualifying process we go through with our clients prior to submitting an offer. Ultimately, we were able to negotiate the final price within a couple of hours. The rest, as they say, is history. Once under contract, it was time for our buyers to secure the deposit, schedule inspections, acquire insurance, hire a rental manager and get the home ready to rent ... a seemingly daunting task from five hours away. Keep in mind this was their first vacation purchase, so they relied heavily on our assistance. Our team was able to help guide them to some of the best companies in our area, making the process as smooth and seamless as possible. Our clients are high-level executives with limited time, so working with the best in the business is crucial. There is no time for hiccups or rookie mistakes. On the surface, the process seems fairly simple, but the devil is in the details. Who will meet the cable guy to get the service installed? Who will meet the delivery man with the electronics being shipped so they don’t sit outside? Where will the purchased furniture be shipped and stored prior to closing? Who is checking on the home to ensure the repairs are being completed properly?
Once under contract, it was time for our buyers to secure the deposit, schedule inspections, acquire insurance, hire a rental manager and get the home ready to rent ... a seemingly daunting task from five hours away. Keep in mind this was their first vacation purchase, so they relied heavily on our assistance. Our team was able to help guide them to some of the best companies in our area, making the process as smooth and seamless as possible. Our clients are high-level executives with limited time, so working with the best in the business is crucial. There is no time for hiccups or rookie mistakes. On the surface, the process seems fairly simple, but the devil is in the details. Who will meet the cable guy to get the service installed? Who will meet the delivery man with the electronics being shipped so they don’t sit outside? Where will the purchased furniture be shipped and stored prior to closing? Who is checking on the home to ensure the repairs are being completed properly?
When you work with the right agent, rental management company, title company and lender, the process can seem effortless. On the other hand, if you choose a less experienced agent or one who doesn’t have the right connections, you could be in for a tedious process with many headaches and learning lessons. Our clients having a great experience buying a home here at the beach - from start to finish - is our team’s top priority. And, we want it to happen the first time. Many buyers find us after it’s too late… and pay the price.
The new owners of 55 Brenda Lane visited their home for the first time July 4 weekend, and although they took some time to visit local boutique shops to add their own personal touches to their new home, they also spent time relaxing and enjoying it, confirming they made the best decision to buy into the beach lifestyle.
"Ron helped us buy our first beach house and I cannot say enough about his ability to understand what we were looking for, find the perfect house and guide us to a very successful purchase. It didn’t end with the closing. Ron has been exceptionally helpful in recommending and guiding us with all the services needed to get the house up and running. I can not recommend him enough!" - Max & Sabrina Broden
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