They say timing is everything. A short sale closing in 7 days?  Impossible.  No, it happened.  Through divine intervention, serious trust , perspiration, determination and a case of really good timing.  It all came together.

We had been in listing limbo (the gray area) called pending for almost 12 weeks. It wasn't a house my buyer loved, but it was a good investment.  Checking the change of status on MLS daily is a good habit to develop. 

Seven days ago, a listing changed status as many do everyday.  With the foreclosure clock tickling in what seemed to be accelerated speed, the nervous seller thought all hope was lost along with her beloved home.  The buyers who had it under contract, would not make the closing deadline.  The listing agent relisted the house and needed a cash buyer

NOVATION- THE MOTHER OF REINVENTING THE DEAD DEAL      

I contacted the listing agent immediately. Turns out we once worked together.  A friendly chat turned into a collaborative effort to save the seller from the throws of foreclosure, and to get my buyer the house she had dreamed of.

We submitted a cash offer, working late into the evening, getting the long distance buyer, seller's agent and myself, all on the same page with transfer of signed documents.  Technology can be so helpful.

With all the papers signed, they were accepted the following day and sent off to the Title company along with an explaination that we HAD to close this one with 5 days to go.

The buyer had never seen the house- Trust was a key component here. Armed with a video camera and about 60 still shots, I was able to walk her through the home 1200 miles away.  She instantly loved it and and we moved forward at warp speed.

We used wire transfer for the fund transfer and everythng was ready to go with 2 days remaining.

INCREDIBLE COMING TOGETHER    

In an incredible turn of events, the seller would be saved from foreclosure on her credit, the buyer would get the home she abslolutely wanted, and listing agent and selling agent would both earn the respect , love and loyalty from their clients.

Thoroughout the weekend there was a flurry of activity in and out of the house.  Interestingly, no one saw anyone else. Yet all played a vital role in a combined surprise.

The seller helped the Listing agent, scrub, clean and prepare the home for the new buyer. The buyer had planned to spend the night in the home day of closing. The home inspection was on Sunday.

Wednesday, the buyer flew in to attend the closing (still never having seen the house)  After we signed the final documents, it was off to see the house, for the very first time. Upon arriving I gave her a welcome basket of wine, choclate and a gift card for incidientals, in addition to making sure the floor had been freshly mopped again after the home inspection.

Instead of dirt, debris, and a week's worth of work waiting for her, when we opened the door, it was spotless, shining and lovingly tended to.  That was the best closing gift ever!  The listing agent had given her new sheets and pillows for the futon the seller had left there, all cleaned and ready for its first guest-the new owner. 

We can accomplish incredible things-when we all work together to achieve a common goal. Not every deal comes together, in fact many fall apart despite our best efforts.  But going the extra mile in this case, made everyone a winner in the transaction. 

 The true unsung hero of this success story,wasn't the buyers agent who worked hard, or the seller's agent who also worked very hard, or the seller who was saved, it was the buyer, who acted on blind faith and trusted her Realtor enough to "go for it" based on some photos and videos.

Have you ever gone "Above and Beyond" to make a someone's dream come true?  Share your story here.