🏡 Why I Often Discourage Clients from Buying

You might be surprised to hear this from a real estate agent—but I often tell my clients not to buy.

Why?

Because real estate isn't fast fashion. It's not about jumping on something just because it’s available. It’s about finding the right fit for your life, your goals, and your future. Today, I want to share a story that captures exactly what I mean—and why I’m proud to take the “slower” route if it means fewer regrets later on.

The First Temptation: A Quiet Cul-de-Sac in Fremont

I had a client who was eager to find a quieter place to live. He came across an attached single-family home in Fremont, located on a cul-de-sac with a small backyard. He liked it immediately and wanted to make an offer on the spot.

But I had reservations.

• The backyard was too small.

• The appreciation potential was limited.

• There was an HOA.

• Most importantly, he already lived in Fremont—he just wanted a slightly quieter neighborhood.

We could’ve gone ahead, and honestly, based on his determination, the deal could have closed quickly. But I advised him to walk away. The numbers didn’t make sense. The long-term value just wasn’t there.

Several Listings Later… Still No Match

We viewed more homes. Some had poor layouts. Some had been sitting on the market too long. None felt like a solid fit. Again, I advised against rushing in.

Then we came across another cul-de-sac property. It had the peace he wanted, but there were red flags: a narrow side yard, a fence view from the living room, and visible foundation issues. The asking price was $1.9M. My client was intrigued, but I dug deeper.

I brought in an inspector and we evaluated potential issues:

• Was it a drainage problem?

• Could it be groundwater?

• How much would repairs cost for a French drain or moisture barrier?

We laid out every cost in a worst-case scenario.

We offered $1.708M. The seller countered. Then—out of nowhere—another buyer offered $1.85M and got the deal.

It stung. I lost sleep that night. My client was understandably disappointed.

When One Door Closes...

A few weeks later, something better came along: a detached single-family home in a quiet cul-de-sac, with a large backyard, excellent privacy, no HOA issues, and a lot perfectly suited for a future ADU.

This home checked every box and more.

Even then, it wasn’t smooth sailing. We weren’t the top offer. But thanks to some strategic communication, a bit of networking, and yes—a little personal charm—I managed to secure the home for just over $10,000 more than the competing bid.

Why I Push Back

This entire experience reminded me why I do what I do.

My job isn’t just to close deals—it’s to protect my clients from making choices they’ll regret later. Anyone can make an offer. But seeing long-term value, identifying red flags, and navigating tricky decisions? That takes patience, experience, and care.

I don’t believe in rushing just to say, “We got the house.”

I believe in saying, “This is the right home, for the right reasons—and you’ll still love it years from now.”

Many of my clients return to me when it’s time to buy their second or third home. I like to think it's because they felt the difference—because they knew I was in it for them, not the transaction.