Closed successfully at $3,250,000 — the top offer by a $250,000 margin.
Protected attorneys’ legal and financial interests while minimizing their upfront costs.
Challenge
Title Concerns: Active Lis Pendens on title created legal uncertainty and threatened buyer confidence.
Severe Property Condition: Gutted bathrooms, missing flooring, extensive termite damage, and exposed unfinished beams created uncertainty about whether the structure was sound.
Client Objective: Attorneys needed to maximize sale proceeds while minimizing upfront repair costs.
Financing Barriers: Property condition limited conventional lending options, reducing the buyer pool.
Buyer Hesitation: Initial buyer pulled back due to risks, jeopardizing momentum and value preservation.
High-Stakes Legal Context: Sale was tied to a foreclosure judgment recovery, requiring precision to protect client interests.
Solution
Preemptive Structural Assurance: Ordered a structural engineer’s report confirming no critical issues despite exposed and unfinished beams, eliminating buyer doubts about safety.
Cost-Effective Property Enhancements: Recommended minimal, high-impact improvements (paint touch-ups, cleaning, landscaping, termite tenting) to create a marketable presentation without significant investment.
Title Clearance Expertise: Coordinated with Ticor Title to ensure Lis Pendens removal at closing, delivering clear title and protecting the transaction.
Strategic Marketing & Positioning: Optimized online presence by claiming the Zillow listing, elevating perceived value, and showcasing the property with professional photography and tailored commentary.
Creative Financing Options: Leveraged NMLS license to arrange alternative financing paths, broadening buyer access despite the property’s distressed condition.
Aggressive Pricing & Negotiation: Positioned the property within a competitive range, generating 8 offers in 7 days. Negotiated the highest offer at $3,250,000 — which was $250,000 above the next highest offer.
Swift Deal Management: When the first buyer backed out, immediately secured a backup buyer at the same price — avoiding re-listing, renegotiation, or loss of momentum.
Risk Mitigation for Clients: Negotiated a $170,000 early deposit release directly to the attorneys before closing, providing upfront protection and client assurance.