More than Real Estate: The stories that stay with The Parsons Team

More than Real Estate: The stories that stay with The Parsons Team

Real estate isn’t just about contracts, listings, or closing dates. It’s about people. And every person has a story.

We asked our team one simple question: "What's one real estate experience that sticks with you?"

The answers reminded us why this work means so much more than buying and selling homes.


First-time homebuyer’s first offer…

Lisa Kroese was guiding first-time homebuyers through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. From the start, their search for the perfect fit moved quickly. The very first home they toured felt right. An offer was written, accepted, and everything appeared to be falling neatly into place. Lisa thought it was almost too good to be true.

Just days later, uncertainty set in. Lisa’s intuition was right and her clients ended up withdrawing the offer.

For first-time buyers, moments like this are common. Big emotions, pressure, and unanswered questions can feel overwhelming. Although this forced Lisa to go back to the drawing board, her experience kicked in and she was able to confidently guide them to the end of a successful escrow…. Just with a different house.

Sometimes the first house isn’t the final destination. With the right guidance, uncertainty can turn into clarity and disappointment can lead to an even better ending.


The surprise no one expected…

During one transaction, Matthew Peters was representing a seller who had already moved out of their home. As he was helping to get the house ready for market, there were still some items left that needed to be hauled away… or so he thought.

As the junk hauler was packing everything up, he opened a closet and immediately called Matt. 

Turns out, the seller had accidentally left behind her father’s urn.

Thankfully, Matt was able to get in touch with the seller and the urn was handled with care, respect, and returned safely to where it belonged.

Homes hold memories far beyond just walls and furniture. Sometimes, to care means going slower and honoring what is most important.


When looking at homes hurts...

Recently, Brian worked with a client who caught him off guard during showings. She said she no longer wanted to tour homes where the seller still lived.

When Brian asked why, she told him it was because she had lost her home, and all her belongings, in the Eaton fire.

Her mother’s handwritten cookbook.
Her Christmas decorations.
The little things in life that make a house feel like home.

Now, during the holiday season, when everyone else was pulling out ornaments and family traditions, some felt this loss even more deeply.

Brian admitted it was impossible not to feel the weight of her story, her grief, and her resilience all at once.

Real estate isn't always happy. Sometimes it's emotional. Sometimes it's painful. And sometimes, the most important thing we can do is listen and show compassion.

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One thing is for sure: everyone carries a story.

Some teach us patience.
Some memories make us laugh.
Some stay with us forever.

Behind every transaction is a human experience, and that's one thing we at The Parsons Team will never forget. Whether you're buying your first home, saying goodbye to one filled with memories, or starting over after loss, your story matters. Real estate isn't just about houses. It's about the people living in them.

Photo credit: Helen Norman for Country Living