The Deal Almost Died

The Deal Almost Died

The deal almost died over $8,000.

After weeks of showings, negotiations, and a clean inspection, everything was lined up. The buyers were thrilled. The sellers were relieved. Closing was on the calendar.

Then the appraisal came in low.

It wasn’t a dramatic gap — not tens of thousands. Just enough to create tension. The market had shifted slightly in recent months. Interest rates had nudged buyer behavior. Comparable sales told a cautious story.

On paper, it was simple: the lender would only finance up to the appraised value. Someone had to make up the difference.

But in real life, it wasn’t simple at all.

The sellers had already put an offer on their next home. They were downsizing after 27 years. The buyers were stretching carefully but responsibly, purchasing their first house after years of renting and disciplined saving.

Neither side was unreasonable. Neither side was greedy.

They were just two households trying to move forward at the same time.

We went back to the data first. We reviewed the comps line by line. Square footage adjustments. Lot size. Upgrades. Market timing. We challenged the appraisal respectfully, but the revision came back unchanged.

So we shifted from numbers to solutions.

The buyers increased their down payment modestly — not recklessly, just enough to show commitment. The sellers reduced the price, not out of defeat, but out of realism. The agents adjusted commissions slightly to tighten the gap further.

Everyone gave a little.

No one “won.”

At the final walkthrough, the sellers had left the house spotless.

On the kitchen counter sat a folder labeled “Home Info” — appliance manuals, warranty details, paint colors, HVAC service records dating back a decade.

It wasn’t required. It wasn’t negotiated.

It was care.

At closing, the sellers admitted something quietly: “We were afraid this was going to fall apart.”

The buyers laughed nervously. “We were too.”

The truth is, most transactions hover at the edge of uncertainty at least once. An inspection surprise. A financing delay. An appraisal gap. Real estate isn’t fragile because people are difficult — it’s fragile because life transitions are big.

What saved this deal wasn’t pressure or emotional appeals. It was perspective. Everyone stepped back and asked the same question:

“What gets us all across the finish line fairly?”

The answer wasn’t dramatic. It was collaborative.

Keys were handed over. Funds were wired. The moving truck arrived the next morning.

Eight thousand dollars could have ended it.

Instead, cooperation closed it.

In real estate, obstacles are inevitable — but most deals don’t fall apart because of the numbers. They fall apart when people stop working together. When both sides focus on fairness instead of victory, even a shaky deal can find solid ground.

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We can help you find your new home where you can truly live. Call today! Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty. We have the experience and knowledge to help you make a smooth move!

(850) 429-4002

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The Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty

Serving the Greater Pensacola area – Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Florida

Our office is in Pace Florida at 5561 Woodbine Road – Pace, FL 32571

You can reach us at (850) 429-4002, or by email at livinginpensacola@gmail.com

The Deal Almost Died