When Optimism Meets Reality

I thought I’d found the one.

During my home search, a townhome listing caught my eye: exposed brick in the kitchen, a spacious patio, two bedrooms, great lighting, in-unit washer/dryer, and - shockingly - in my budget. It felt like a dream. I called my realtor immediately.

But as soon as we stepped in through the patio, reality hit. The patio was a mess, and the kitchen smelled off. Rotting fruit sat on the counter, a deep stain marked the stove, dishes were piled high in the sink, and the laundry room door was broken. Upstairs, the carpet reeked, and the closets were packed with clothes, making it hard to even get a full view.

My realtor was stunned. “I can’t believe the seller and their agent let us see it like this.”

Still, I saw potential. I’ve done that before - with people. I overlooked the mess because I believed in the idea of what it could be. I submitted an offer with concessions for the broken door and carpet replacement, expecting a fair negotiation. Instead, the seller raised the price by 10-15K - completely canceling out the value of the concessions. When I countered with a reasonable compromise, they refused to budge or even let me revisit the property. Eventually, they pulled the listing but continued pressing my realtor to see if I’d fold.

Sometimes walking away is the win. I was reminded that potential isn’t enough when the reality costs you more than it’s worth. Whether it’s a home or a relationship, don’t settle for something that leaves you doing all the fixing.

🎥 Want the quick version? I shared a snippet of this storytime on TikTok — catch it here.

Lessons learned:

• Don’t let excitement cloud discernment.

• Request concessions when things aren’t move-in ready.

• Stand firm—there’s always another home, another opportunity.

• Sellers should earn your offer, not assume it.

There’s power in knowing your worth, your budget, and your boundaries. Do the research, ask the questions, and trust your gut.

You deserve more than just potential.