Why Who You Hire Matters!
If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you know real estate can be emotional. But when multiple contingent deals are stacked on top of each other, the stress level goes through the roof.
This is a real story from Northwest Arkansas, involving Madison County, three homes, four families, and a situation that could have fallen apart just days before closing. It’s also a perfect example of why it truly matters who you hire, both your real estate agent and your lender.
The Setup: A Contingent Domino Effect
My clients were selling their home and buying another, which meant their purchase was contingent on selling their current home. Pretty common.
But here’s where it gets tricky:
- The buyers of my clients’ home were also contingent
- That meant three homes and four families were all relying on the very first deal to close
These types of transactions can absolutely work, but only if every professional involved is proactive, communicative, and experienced.
Doing the Extra Work (Before It Was Required)
Before accepting the offer on my clients’ home, I did something many agents don’t take the time to do.
I personally called the lender on the very first deal in the chain.
To be clear: I didn’t represent the buyer or seller on that first house. But because everything depended on that loan, I wanted to make sure it was solid.
The lender assured me the buyers were good to go.
So we moved forward.
Throughout the process, I stayed in contact—checking on:
- The appraisal
- The home inspection
- The loan timeline
The Red Flag: Eight Days Before Closing
About eight days before closing, I was told the first lender needed eight more days.
I immediately called him.
- He confirmed the buyers were still qualified
- He blamed an underwriting issue
- He reassured me everything would be fine
Based on that information, I advocated hard for my clients and negotiated a longer closing on the home they were buying.
At this point, my clients had already:
- Put down a large non-refundable deposit
- Paid for inspections and repairs
- Purchased new appliances
This deal could not fall apart.
The Call No One Wants to Get
Days later….
At 7:30 PM, I received a call from the agent on the very first house.
The lender had terminated the loan.
Just like that.
I was told they were sorry.
My response?
“No. This isn’t over yet.”
Refusing to Let the Deal Die
I immediately asked for the buyers’ agent’s phone number and called her directly.
First question:
“Do your buyers still want this house?”
Yes. They absolutely did.
So I made one more call, this time to my go-to lender.
She was out of state on vacation.
She answered anyway.
That night, she told me:
- If the buyers could submit everything immediately
- She would work the file
- And she would do everything possible to save the deal
The Save: Eight Days. New Lender. Closed On Time.
She and her team worked nonstop.
They:
- Took on brand-new clients
- Rebuilt the loan
- Cleared underwriting
- And closed the transaction in EIGHT DAYS
Eight days.
Against all odds, we still closed on time.
Every single family involved made it to the closing table.
Why This Story Matters (Especially in Northwest Arkansas)
This transaction would not have closed without:
- An agent willing to go beyond her job description
- A lender who knew exactly what they were doing
- Strong communication at every level
- And yes: faith
We absolutely give God the glory on this one. There were moments we had to stop, breathe, and trust that He was in control when everything felt overwhelming.
Questions Buyers and Sellers Should Ask Before Hiring an Agent
If you’re buying or selling a home in Northwest Arkansas or Madison County, these are questions you should be asking your agent:
- How frequently will you communicate with me?
- How long have you been in the real estate business?
- How many transactions do you typically handle each year?
- What experience do you have with contingent or complex deals?
- How involved are you once we’re under contract?
Questions to Ask a Lender Before Choosing One
Not all lenders are the same. Ask:
- How often will you provide updates to me and my agent?
- How long have you been originating loans?
- How many transactions do you typically close?
- What is your average closing timeline?
- Do you regularly handle contingent real estate transactions?
(Yes. It matters.)
Final Thoughts: Who You Hire Matters
Real estate isn’t just paperwork.
It’s:
- People
- Emotions
- Finances
- And sometimes, crisis management
This is why experience, relationships, and work ethic matter so much when choosing a real estate agent and lender in Northwest Arkansas.
If my clients hadn’t had the right team behind them, this story would have ended very differently.
And if you’re entering a real estate transaction—especially a contingent one—my hope is that this story helps you ask better questions and make more confident decisions.
Because who you hire really does matter.
Looking to buy or sell a home in Northwest Arkansas or Madison County? I’d love to help you navigate it with clarity, strategy, and care.