COBUY SUCCESS STORY: First-Time Home Buyers Get $5k Credit After Careful Inspections

As first-time homebuyers in a very competitive seller’s market, Eric and Valerie’s journey didn’t have to be so smooth. But the Bay Area natives were extremely organized and knew exactly what they wanted, so we jumped right in after being introduced via CoBuy – an online platform that makes it easier to buy a home with friends, family members or both.

I scheduled a Zoom call so we could meet, and I could learn their criteria by going through my dream home questionnaire. I learned that Eric and Valerie wanted to buy in the Queen Anne, Magnolia, Ballard or Fremont neighborhoods, so I set up an MLS search and began sending listings their way.

They let me know which homes they wanted to see, and I set up the tours. Their search was pretty short with only about four tours and twelve homes which ultimately boiled down to two listings.

Upon seeing the first one, they liked it so much that they decided to cancel the tour of second. The first house had just come on the market the day before, and the owners were reviewing offers upon receipt.

I advised Eric and Valerie to get their offer in right away before another buyer beat them to it, so we scheduled a time to chat and strategize an offer that would be hard for the seller to refuse.

I got the offer written, reviewed, signed, and submitted within a couple of hours of leaving the property, and we had an answer the next morning. The seller accepted their offer with one counter on the terms. Eric and Valerie had asked for a two-day inspection contingency, and the seller countered with a one-day contingency.

Fortunately, I already had the inspection lined up, but I still needed to get a sewer scope scheduled, so I contacted my trusted sewer inspector. Unfortunately, he was all booked up, but I was able to schedule with another contractor that I had worked with previously. Eric, Valerie and I attended the two inspections, and the home was in good condition. However, it did have a couple of items that needed attention, so we asked for a $5,000 credit, and the seller agreed.

The appraisal was scheduled and completed a few weeks later, coming in at-value with no work orders. Eric and Valerie closed shortly thereafter and are now happily moved into their new Queen Anne home.

Congratulations, you two!