First Time Buyers in Clintonville - PART 2: Finding the Right Fit IN A TOUGH MARKET
How Flexibility Helped These First-Time Buyers Win in a Competitive Market
For many first-time buyers, the hunt for “the one” can feel like an emotional rollercoaster — and my clients knew that all too well. Freshly relocated from Seattle and ready to put down roots in Columbus, they had a clear vision: a character-filled home in a walkable neighborhood, with room to grow and space to breathe.
But finding that dream? Not so easy.
The Search
Like many buyers navigating this summer’s highly competitive seller’s market, they faced a serious shortage of available homes — especially in the charming, in-demand neighborhoods they loved.
We toured home after home and submitted strong, well-considered offers — offers that reflected the true value of the homes and made sense as long-term investments. But time and again, those offers were passed over in favor of bids that soared well above asking price, often from all-cash buyers or buyers willing to waive key protections.
Some sellers even signaled up front that they expected offers to exceed the appraised value and requested appraisal gap coverage as part of the deal. My buyers were eager to find a home — but not at the expense of making a smart, sustainable financial decision.
It was discouraging at times, but they stayed hopeful — and strategic.
The Breakthrough
Then came the Craftsman.
This particular home had storybook charm — a 1920s bungalow tucked into a leafy neighborhood with just the right amount of updates. But what truly made this house a match wasn’t just its character or layout. It was the seller’s situation.
The Flexibility Factor
The sellers were clear: they weren’t ready to move immediately. They needed time — after accepting an offer — to find and get into contract on their next home.
While that condition might have scared off some buyers, my clients saw it as a perfect fit. They were staying with family during their search, so they didn’t have a lease ticking down or a hard deadline looming. And while no one wants to live with family forever, they had what the sellers needed most: flexibility.
They offered a suitable housing contingency that gave the sellers a full 30 days to find their next home and get into contract. On top of that, they also agreed to let the sellers stay in the home for 10 days after closing to wrap up their own transaction and ease the transition.
To give the sellers additional peace of mind, my buyers scheduled the home inspection quickly and kept the remedy period short — so the sellers could shop for their next home with confidence, knowing the deal wasn’t likely to fall apart. (For the record, I never recommend skipping the inspection — especially on a nearly 100-year-old home — and my buyers agreed completely.)
The Win
After a little back-and-forth, the sellers accepted.
The result? A win for everyone. The sellers got the time they needed. And my first-time buyers, after months of searching and some serious emotional endurance, were finally in contract on a home they truly loved.
In the end, it was flexibility, creativity, and patience that made all the difference.
Thinking about buying your first home? Let’s connect and talk about how to navigate a competitive market with strategy, compassion, and confidence.
📞 614-975-8370 | 📧 teresakenney@kw.com | 🌐 teresakenneyrealty.com
This story is Part 2 of our First-Time Buyers in Clintonville series.
These events began unfolding a few months ago, but I waited until after closing to share them to protect my buyers’ position during negotiations. Timing and strategy matter — and this journey shows how flexibility made all the difference.
Want the full story? Catch up on every chapter below:
← Part 1 – Home at Last
→ Part 3 – Inspection Day Done Right (coming next week - stay tuned!)
