From Condo Living To The Perfect Mother-in-law Suite, How One Client Battled The Market And Won!

I met a great friend in 1998, Isabel. To be honest, it was so long ago, I can’t even remember how.   In 2002 she was ready to buy her first property. I remember how nervous she was getting started. Isabel wanted something close to the city, affordable, and low maintenance. If you can remember 20 years ago, searching for real estate wasn’t what it is today. A computer didn’t give you all your options in a matter of minutes. So, my experience helped calm her down and touring property after property gave Isabel a good idea of what was available. 

Isabel’s nerves subsided, and we found her a cute condo in South Tampa. For years she enjoyed city living. 

I have stayed in touch with Isabel via Facebook over the years. While Isabel still loves her condo, her real estate needs were changing.

Isabel called me to purchase a larger home & it needed a ‘Mother-in-law suite.  Her mother is now in her 80’s and starting to have health issues. We needed to find them both a new home.

The challenge started. We were determined to find the right home to fit their needs. We wanted something private with a separate entrance but still connected, so it’s easy to check in and say hi.  The property needed to be within a budget and needed to be homey, inviting, and just nice. 

Because of this market, we had to start to make some concessions. We even bid on a few homes that, thankfully, didn’t work out. I was a little discouraged as we lost a few bids, but Isabel kept saying to me. There are bigger things at work. We can maintain faith.

Eight months into our search, a property popped up. It was slightly over budget, but it was affordable and I knew it met her needs with some extras she didn’t even dream of. But it was a little higher than what we wanted to spend, so we dropped it. 

A few days later, I got a call. It was Isabel. She saw the home had an open house and thought, what can it hurt to look. When we got to the open house, it was packed with potential buyers. But Isabel wasn’t scared; she fell in love.

Imagine a true in-law suite, private-separate garden, two full kitchens, separate entrances to a gorgeous pool, a separate air-conditioned workshop, and an 8-foot privacy fence. There were additional rooms in the main house, and it just had everything she could ask for. This was the move-in ready of all move-in readys. 

Now I was scared. I couldn’t take the heartbreak of losing another bid, especially for the perfect house. But Isabel had faith. She wrote a heartfelt letter to the owners, told her story, and the rest is history. 

We closed on Friday, and my Friend Isabel is enjoying her time with her mother. Thank you, Isabel for letting me play a small part in your story. 

If you want a Realtor who will hang in there with you, be your friend, and empathize with you throughout the buying process, give us a call (727) 410-8599. Or visit us at https://www.kevinfreel.com/