Tracy contacted me on an afternoon this past spring to ask if I would search for a particular kind of house for her mom, Kathy. Her mom was open to moving here to help Tracy and her husband, Scott with their three beautiful daughters.

I met Scott and Tracy when they were first married. They were avid swing dancers and foodies. Scott had landed a good job in the Seattle area and was also a talented writer. Tracy became a podium level triathlete. They were one of the nicest couples I’d ever met and we became friends.

I met Tracy’s mom, Kathy, not long after when she visited Seattle. Besides Tracy, Kathy’s other kids (all sons) are all grown and living in different places with their own families. 

Kathy currently lives on a farm in the Midwest and was interested in moving to the Seattle area if the right place could be found, so we all talked about what criteria mattered most and the timing of her move.

Over the next two months, we toured properties, all in Duvall, as that was the area Kathy could see herself moving to over other options. And eventually, we found a great rambler that fit the bill just uphill from the old-fashioned downtown and the rural beauty of Snoqualmie Valley. It had a large, sunny backyard and plenty of extra space for the granddaughters to stay over and for the sewing room Kathy wanted. It was close enough to Scott and Tracy’s.

We put together an offer, and this time ours was accepted after getting disappointed once before. In one of the most competitive sellers’ markets in the country, we won in a multiple offer situation, at list price, with inspection, financing, and title contingencies all in force, requested and got a seller paid home warranty, renegotiated a 7K price drop after inspection, and closed right on time!

To celebrate, I gave them a bottle of pinot and a bottle of prosecco because they have good taste in wines. And the girls each got a different colored, light-up, squishable caterpillar toy just because they’re fun.

Scott, Tracy, and Kathy, congratulations! You have been nothing but pleasant and patient to work with through the assortment of ups and downs. All real estate transactions have their share of complications – none goes as easily as people want, but you persevered and trusted the right house would be found. You’re all amazing, wonderful people.

And one last thing has to be said. Kathy, these girls are just waiting for you to move in so they can have lots of grandma time!