All Forum Posts by: Jeremy Beland

@Jonathan Greene yes! Definitely hard pass on that. And you’re right, those doorknobs probably did end up in the trash. I never even thought of that. Lol 

In real estate, the biggest hurdles are often the ones you least expect—and sometimes, they’re as small as a crystal doorknob.

Back in 2019, a simple set of crystal doorknobs nearly cost us a $25,000 deal on a home on Burgess Street. The seller, who had inherited the home, wanted to sell and move in with her elderly father. But it wasn’t a smooth transaction. Her half-siblings, who felt she didn’t deserve the property, were dead set against the sale and refused to cooperate. Without their signatures, the deal was in jeopardy.

After some negotiation, her older sister agreed to sign, but she had one unusual condition: she wanted to keep the home’s vintage crystal doorknobs. It seemed a minor request, so I agreed without a second thought. But when I brought it up to the seller, she was adamant. “Those doorknobs stay with the house,” she insisted. Just like that, the entire deal was on the line.

I decided to try one more approach. I went back to the older sister and explained how the doorknobs would be part of the home’s charm for the next family, just as they had been for her. This time, she agreed, and the sale finally went through.

This experience reminded me how seemingly minor items can hold enormous sentimental weight. Sometimes, bridging these emotional gaps can be the key to closing a deal. In this case, we saved the transaction by understanding what mattered most to each party and finding a way forward.

What’s the most unique concession a seller has ever asked for in a deal?

@Farley Youman great points!  Thanks for sharing and commenting. 

In 2020, we took on one of our most challenging deals in Hudson, NH, where a woman reached out, desperate to sell her home and escape a troubled marriage. She’d recently moved out, leaving her unemployed husband in the house, and was living with her daughter. She was determined to close the sale by the end of the month, but her husband, who had no legal claim to the property, refused to leave.

The situation was emotionally and logistically complex. Her husband was a known drinker with a history of conflict, and it was clear that a straightforward eviction wouldn’t be easy. Instead, we decided to try a “cash-for-keys” approach, offering him financial assistance to peacefully vacate the property.

My wife Shelly and I went to the property to speak with him in person. With Shelly on edge, I knocked on the door, prepared to negotiate with someone who didn’t know us and wasn’t necessarily open to leaving. After an hour of conversation, he agreed to our cash-for-keys arrangement, provided he had two weeks to get ready. We arranged movers for both his belongings and the seller’s, ensuring a smooth transition for all involved.

Once he was out, we completed the final walk-through with our cash buyers, who were eager to close. Within three weeks, we managed to coordinate all aspects of the sale, including helping the seller transition her belongings into storage and securing a solid offer.

This wasn’t just a transaction—it was about helping a client regain control over her life. When she thanked us afterward, sharing how much our help meant to her, it was a reminder that our work is about more than real estate. Going beyond standard practices to navigate personal challenges builds lasting relationships and trust, proving that true service means tackling even the most complex situations head-on.

In 2019, we worked with Anna, a homeowner in Milford, NH, who needed more than just a typical real estate transaction. She was planning a cross-country move to be with her family in Las Vegas, but the process was daunting. Anna didn’t have the financial resources to make the move on her own, and on top of that, she spoke very little English, which made communication challenging. She was overwhelmed and needed help, so we stepped in to take care of everything for her.

What made this deal different was the level of support we provided. We financially funded the entire process upfront, knowing she’d pay us back at closing. This included paying for storage pods, hiring movers to help pack and load her belongings, and purchasing flights for Anna and her adult son, who has special needs. We coordinated everything with her daughter in Las Vegas and made sure the logistics were seamless.

Throughout this process, we used Google Translate to communicate with Anna, which slowed things down but allowed us to ensure we were on the same page every step of the way. Despite the challenges, we got everything done. On the day of closing, we drove Anna and her son to finalize the sale, then immediately took them to the airport to catch their flight to Las Vegas.

The most rewarding part of this experience came at the airport when Anna hugged us, crying tears of joy. She was incredibly grateful for the help we provided and couldn’t believe her dream of moving to live with her daughter had finally come true. It was a moment filled with emotion, and it’s one of the reasons why we love doing what we do.

This experience was a powerful reminder that going the extra mile isn’t just about being kind—it’s about truly helping people in their time of need. For Anna, it wasn’t just about selling her house—it was about getting a fresh start with her family, something she couldn’t have done without our support. By going beyond what’s expected, we not only built trust and goodwill but also created a lasting relationship that speaks volumes about the kind of business we strive to be.

At the end of the day, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling houses—it’s about the people behind them and the impact you can make on their lives. And when you invest in relationships and go the extra mile, you create something far more valuable than a single deal—you build a business people can trust and rely on when it matters most.

@Joshua Bragado congrats on starting your journey and I’m happy to hear this story resonated with you. I’ve gone on to do over 450 transactions since then. The first one is the hardest. Let me know if you need any help along the way. Best of luck and keep pushing. 

@Farley Youman you make many great points and I agree with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. Even being more experienced, I would have rather wholesaled or wholetailed this property knowing what I do now. 

@Carly Cohen I’m glad this resonated with you. It’s fairly common to feel the way you do in the beginning. With each deal you do, you’ll grow more confident in who you are and the value your provide. Good luck and feel free to reach out anytime if you have some questions 

@Andrew Bosco thanks so much for the kind words.  I really appreciate that. 

In real estate wholesaling, time is everything. A lead can come in at the most unexpected times, and how quickly you respond can make or break a deal. Here’s a story that illustrates this point perfectly.

A few years ago, Dylan, one of our team members, was at home on Christmas morning with his family when the phone rang. Despite it being the holidays, he answered the call. It turned out to be a distressed seller who needed to offload their home quickly. By the next morning, Dylan was at the property, contract in hand, securing what would turn into a $40,000-$50,000 assignment fee. As he was leaving the seller’s house, another investor pulled up—too late. Dylan’s quick response and willingness to go out the very next day made all the difference.

But not every story ends that way. Recently, we hired a new rep in the Port St. Lucie area. He got a lead on a Sunday evening and, excited as he was, he figured he could schedule it for two days later. He already had an appointment on Tuesday in Vero Beach, so he decided to combine the trips. Instead of acting quickly, he went into the office on Monday to make cold calls, not realizing how important those extra 24 hours could be.

By the time he arrived for his appointment on Tuesday, the seller had already signed a contract with another investor on Monday. That 24-hour delay cost him a $40,000 deal that was well within his grasp.

The lesson here is simple: time kills deals. Even when it seems like 48 hours won’t matter, you could lose out to someone who gets there first. Whether it’s the holidays or just an inconvenient time, acting with urgency can be the difference between a massive payday and missing out entirely.

In this industry, every hour matters. Respond fast, act decisively, and always keep in mind that another investor might be right behind you, ready to take the deal if you don’t.