Gig Harbor Home Sale Success Story | Sold Above List Price in 2 Days
Read how I helped my Gig Harbor seller plan, prepare, and sell his home above asking in just one day—after 11 years of ownership.
A Journey 11 Years in the Making
Every sale has a story, and some of my favorite ones are the “full circle” moments. Eleven years ago, I sold this very home to my client and his wife. Back then, it was the house where they planned to build their future, create memories, and enjoy the comfort of homeownership. Fast forward more than a decade later, and life was shifting again. His wife had passed, he was looking forward to retirement, and Montana was calling his name.
When he first reached out to me, a whole year before he was ready to sell, he said something that every real estate broker loves to hear:
“I’m retiring next year, moving to Montana, and I want to make sure we time the sale just right. When’s the best time of year to list?”
That one sentence kicked off twelve months of planning, timing, and preparation. It wasn’t just about selling a house, it was about honoring the past, maximizing value in the present, and making sure the future felt secure.
Recently sold home in Gig Harbor, WA
Timing is Everything
Real estate is seasonal, and while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, knowing when to list can make a huge difference. We kept in touch throughout the year, checking in every couple of months. By the time spring of 2025 rolled around, we had a plan.
He was officially retiring in October, so we aimed for a late summer launch, August or September. That timing would capture the buyers coming back from summer vacations, eager to settle before the holidays. It also gave him breathing room to tie up loose ends before his big move.
By July, it was time to roll up our sleeves and make this house shine.
The Walkthrough: Preparing for Market
I always start with a walkthrough. Not a casual “let’s peek at the kitchen” kind of thing, but a detailed room-by-room game plan. In July, I visited the house with my checklist in hand. Together, we talked about what needed to be done before photos, what could be skipped, and what absolutely mattered for creating that “wow” factor.
But a walkthrough with me is more than just pointing out scuffed paint or suggesting decluttering tips, it’s where I roll out the bigger picture. While we stood in his living room, I also shared the pricing strategy I’d recommend. Based on the market data, recent sales in the neighborhood, and the upgrades he had done over the years, I gave him a realistic listing range that would put him in a strong position while still attracting the most buyers.
We also went over my marketing strategy for his home, everything from professional photography and video tours to online syndication, open houses, and even how I’d position the home’s story in my marketing materials. I wanted him to see not only the to-do list in front of him, but the full plan of how his home would be showcased once it hit the market.
By the end of that meeting, he wasn’t just looking at a checklist, he had a complete roadmap. He knew exactly what needed to happen inside the home and what would happen once the listing went live. That kind of clarity makes the whole process a lot less overwhelming.
We mapped out priorities:
Declutter and depersonalize – buyers want to see themselves in the space, not last year’s family reunion photos.
Polish the details – small repairs, paint touch-ups, and little fixes go a long way.
Stage the experience – a home is more than walls and floors; it’s about creating an emotional pull.
He was on board and determined. Over the next few weeks, he got to work, and by late August, we were ready to bring in the photographer.
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The Photo Shoot Panic
If you’ve ever sold a home, you know picture day is a big deal. Photos are the first impression, sometimes the only impression, buyers get before they decide whether to tour.
The morning of the shoot, I sent my usual reminder text: “Today’s the day! Remember, counters clear, lights on, clutter gone. We want everything perfect.”
A few minutes later, my phone rang.
“Stacia… I’m not ready.”
Now, I’ve been in real estate long enough to know that panic is part of the process. My response? Calm, steady, and reassuring. “Don’t worry. I’ll reschedule the photographer for tomorrow. I’m coming over today, and we’ll figure it out together.”
When I arrived, it wasn’t the disaster he thought it was. Just a few last details to wrap up. So, side by side, we tackled the to-do list, room by room. The next day, the photos went off without a hitch, capturing his home in all its glory.
Launch Day
On August 28th, 2025, the listing went live. The marketing machine kicked in:
Professional photos ✔️
Video tour ✔️
Online syndication ✔️
Sign installed ✔️
Open houses scheduled ✔️
The stage was set.
And then, something happened that caught us both off guard.
The Offer, Faster Than Expected
The very next day, we had a showing. By the end of that showing, we had an offer.
We listed at $625,000. The offer came in at $630,000, with the seller paying $10,000 toward the buyer’s closing costs. The buyer was VA-approved, fully pre-approved, and ready to close in 30 days.
Here’s the kicker: the buyers knew open houses were scheduled that weekend. They didn’t want to risk losing it, so they came in strong and early.
The Negotiation
At first, my seller was hesitant. After all, it felt too quick. He’d imagined weeks of showings, maybe multiple offers, and the slow build-up to a deal. Instead, it was almost overnight.
This is where trust and experience matter. I reminded him that sometimes the best offers come fast. A solid VA buyer, strong price, flexible terms, and a smooth close? That’s a rare gift.
After weighing the options, he agreed: this was the right deal. We accepted, and the journey moved to the next phase, inspection.
Inspection: A Testament to Maintenance
Some sellers dread inspection day. It’s the moment when every nook and cranny is scrutinized. But in this case, my seller’s dedication to maintaining his home paid off.
The buyers requested only a few minor repairs. Nothing major, nothing alarming. My seller, ever the responsible homeowner, took care of them without hesitation.
It was one of the smoothest inspection phases I’ve seen in a while, a reminder that taking care of your home year after year really does matter when it’s time to sell.
Smooth Sailing with a Tiny Hiccup
From that point on, everything flowed beautifully. The buyers were eager, the lender was efficient, escrow kept things moving, and the communication between all parties was seamless.
The only hiccup? Waiting on the appraisal. Anyone who’s been through this knows that period of silence can feel endless. But I wasn’t worried, the value was there, the comps supported it, and we had prepared the file flawlessly.
Sure enough, the appraisal came back clean. No conditions. No drama. Just one step closer to the finish line.
Closing Day
On closing day, I got the call while driving to remove the lockbox. At exactly 2 PM, it was official: the home was sold.
I headed straight to my client’s house, to remove the lockbox, then met him for a celebratory drink at the local watering hole. I walked in, he turned with drinks in hand (iced tea with lemon for me) for one last moment together before he left for Montana. We clinked our glasses with a cheer to success:
His home sold quickly.
A smooth, painless process.
A price above list value.
A fresh start for him in Montana.
It wasn’t just a transaction, it was the culmination of a relationship that spanned more than a decade.
Why This Story Matters
Every listing is unique, but this one stood out for several reasons:
Longevity of Relationship – From selling him the home 11 years ago to helping him sell it again, this was a full-circle moment that reminded me why I love real estate.
Strategic Timing – Planning a year ahead gave us the edge to list at just the right time.
Teamwork – From photo prep to inspection fixes, this was a collaborative effort between broker and seller.
Swift Success – A strong offer within 24 hours reinforced the value of preparation and pricing strategy.
Smooth Execution – With experienced professionals on all sides, we turned what could have been stressful into something seamless.
Lessons for Future Sellers
This journey also holds a few lessons for anyone thinking about selling their home:
Start early. Even if you’re a year out, it’s never too soon to talk strategy.
Preparation matters. A little sweat equity before listing pays off in fewer inspection issues and stronger offers.
Trust the process. Sometimes the best opportunities come faster than expected.
Choose your broker wisely. Experience, strategy, and calm in the middle of chaos can make all the difference.
As we clinked glasses of iced tea, I couldn’t help but smile. This wasn’t just about a sold home. It was about honoring the journey of a client who trusted me, not once, but twice, with one of life’s biggest transitions.
He’s off to Montana now, ready to enjoy retirement and live his best life. And I’m grateful to have played a part in getting him there.
Here’s to new beginnings, smooth closings, and the kind of real estate stories that remind us why we do what we do.
