Case Study - From Inside the Beltway to a Luxury Country Estate in Upperville

My buyers from Annandale purchased this gorgeous Carrington Home in Upperville, Virginia.

One of the primary ways I think about my real estate practice is focused on my role as a Lifestyle Transition Specialist. Major life events are so often the reason that people decide to consider selling a home or purchasing a new one. Those major life events can be happy celebratory moments like:

• Newlyweds beginning their lives together

• The birth of a child

• Adoption of a pet

• Accepting a new job

And just as often those life events can be more challenging, including:

• A death in the family

• Divorce

• Job loss

And some are just natural steps in the progression of life, like:

• Retirement

• Downsizing

• Seeking a new lifestyle

The Challenge

This is the story of how I helped a family living in Annandale, Virginia find their dream country estate in the rural western suburbs of Northern Virginia.

Earlier this Spring I was grateful to be able to help my colleagues at Hunt Country Sotheby's International Realty, Chloe Powell & Sherry Santmyer by hosting an Open House for their listing in Round Hill, Virginia. All of us work together closely, and during the busy Spring buying season, it's not unusual for us to help one another cover Open Houses.

I struck up a conversation with one of the families touring the home that day and had the opportunity to learn more about their needs. We had a lot of life experience in common, and I think they quickly realized that my local knowledge would be extremely helpful to them.

They were attracted to the home I was showing. It was a lovely house in Round Hill, Virginia, built by one of the region's most acclaimed builders, Carrington Homes. The house itself was a good fit. They loved the views and the proximity to the Appalachian Trail. But there were issues with the configuration of the lot and HOA restrictions that made them want to keep looking.

The Process

In follow-up conversations, I was able to capture more detail about the needs and desires of my new buyers. We talked through everything from price range, number of bedrooms, lot size etc., as well amenities, home features and their desired lifestyle.

Mortgage Pre-Approval

One of the most important first steps in buying a home is securing pre-approval from a mortgage lender. A pre-approval letter helps you determine your price range and most importantly proves that you are a qualified buyer.

I have a short list of my most trusted local lenders. I shared this list with my client and I was delighted that they chose to work with Tan Tunador of Atlantic Coast Mortgage. Tan and his team are terrific, and they work closely with our entire office.

Automated Search & Email Alerts

Based on these conversations, I set up automated searches and email alerts so my buyers could be the first to see any new listings matching their criteria. They were travelling over the next couple of weeks, but by the time they returned, they had identified 6 properties that they were excited to tour.

House Hunting

For a Realtor, there's really nothing more fun than actually getting in the car and touring homes with prospective buyers. I get to see and explore the most interesting homes in the area and I get to share my deep local knowledge about Western Loudoun and the surrounding region.

Purcellville Realtor, Geri Deane can been seen all over Loudoun County is her beloved, signature VW Beetle.

Our first and only day of house hunting took us to my current hometown of Purcellville. We also visited Bluemont, Leesburg, Round Hill and Upperville.

I was able to describe the unique vibe, pros & cons of each of these special Loudoun towns. By the end of the day, we determined that the home in Upperville was a great candidate.

Offer & Negotiations

In this competitive market, writing and negotiating a winning offer can be a nerve-wracking period for all parties involved. Buyers don't want to over pay and sellers don't want get less than fair market value. It is always best when there is an open and collaborative relationship between the buyer's agent and the seller’s agent.

I'm especially grateful for the fantastic partnership with the listing agents, Will Driskill and Isabella Wolf of Thomas & Talbot Estate Properties. Their professionalism and dedication played a huge role in the successful completion of the transaction.

At the end of the day, my clients acquired the property for nearly $250,000 less than the original asking price.

Settlement & Closing

When both the buyer's agent and the seller's agent have done their job coordinating the transaction, the settlement and closing process is smooth and seamless. In this case, we were well prepared.

Thanks and gratitude to Mike McFarlane and the great team at Highland Title & Escrow in Ashburn for guiding both parties through a flawless transaction.

A Happy Ending

Of course the best part of the story is that this lovely family has joined our community here in the rural western suburbs. And they get to enjoy this amazing home for as long as it suits their needs. If and when life happens and they are ready to move on to the next chapter, I'm hopeful they will allow me to represent them as the seller.

Lessons Learned

For me, this transaction strongly reinforced my philosophy that relationships are the key to successful business. My clients connected with me and trusted me to guide them through the process. The collaborative relationship I enjoyed with the seller's agent was critical to keeping this deal on track. We were able to trust the mortgage lender and the settlement company to perform their role in a timely fashion. And let's remember that I wouldn't have even had the opportunity to meet this client if it weren't for the teamwork of my colleagues, Chloe & Sherry.

In the world of real estate, the connections we build are so important. I feel fortunate to be part of a community that deeply values integrity, cooperation, and ultimately, the success of our clients.

Facing a Life Transition?

Geri Deane, REALTOR - Hunt Country Sotheby's International Realty

If you are facing a life transition -- whether it be happy or one of life's inevitable challenges, please consider me as a resource. My greatest joy as a REALTOR is getting my clients where they need to be. You can count on my determination and expertise. And you can count on the strength of my relationships to make sure everything goes smoothly.