Behind the Deal | The Oakmont Home That Came Back Around

248 Valley Oaks Dr | Santa Rosa | $555,000

Some home searches change direction.

Others test your patience.

This one did both — and then surprised us all.

I met these buyers at a listing I had in Forestville. At the time, they thought they wanted a charming house near the river. That felt like the plan. But as we talked more about timing, lifestyle, and what they wanted long-term, another possibility came into focus.

That’s when we found a home at 248 Valley Oaks Dr. in Oakmont Village, a well-known 55+ community in Sonoma County. What made the location especially meaningful was that it sits just down the street from the Oakmont event venue where they’ll be getting married this June. It wasn’t what they originally pictured — but it was worth taking seriously.

The First Offer — and the One That Got Away

We wrote a strong offer on the Oakmont home — and I wrote it while flying to Florida for Thanksgiving. The entire flight was spent communicating with the listing agent, making sure every detail was covered and the offer was positioned cleanly and competitively.

There were multiple offers.

When the counter came back, the sellers asked us to come up $20,000. That pushed the home beyond my clients’ budget. After talking it through, we declined. It wasn’t the right financial move for them, and staying within their comfort zone mattered more than forcing a deal.

The sellers chose another offer, and we let it go.

A Detour — and a Pause

After the holiday, I followed up with my clients and learned they had started looking at a piece of land. They were considering building instead and wanted to explore that option.

A few days later, while I was driving, I received a message asking about our buyer broker agreement.

We were fully under contract. Under the law that went into effect last July, buyer broker agreements are required and exist to protect buyers — meaning they could not write an offer directly with a listing agent or pursue a double-ended deal.

That’s why I paused before responding. Not out of uncertainty, but because sometimes the best move is to slow down, think clearly, and respond intentionally rather than emotionally.

And then something unexpected happened.

The Call That Changed Everything

Before I even replied, my phone rang.

It was the listing agent from the Oakmont home.

The offer they had chosen had fallen through. The sellers wanted to know if my clients were still interested.

The timing couldn’t have been more precise.

I immediately called my clients and explained what had happened. Yes, they were curious about the land — but the Oakmont home was suddenly back on the table. The same home they had already pictured themselves in. The same neighborhood tied to such an important milestone in their lives.

They were excited — and clear.

They wanted the home, but only at our original offer price.

I called the listing agent back and held firm. Coming up $20,000 still didn’t work, and we weren’t going to stretch their budget just because the opportunity had returned.

The sellers agreed.

The Result

We went back into contract at the original offer price.

Everything moved forward smoothly.

And the deal closed successfully.

What began as a search for a river house ended with a home in Oakmont Village — one that fit their life, their budget, and their future far better than they expected when they first started looking.

The Takeaway

It’s also a reminder that:

• Walking away from a deal doesn’t mean it’s gone forever

• Budget discipline matters — even when emotions are high

• Clear contracts exist to protect buyers, not complicate things

• And strong professional relationships can open doors when timing shifts

Not every home is meant to be yours the first time around.

Sometimes it comes back — at the right price, in the right moment.

In Conclusion

If your search has hit a pause, a detour, or a “what now?” moment, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

The right outcome often depends on knowing when to step back, when to hold firm, and when to move quickly if a second chance appears.

📩 If you’re in the middle of that kind of moment, let’s talk.

A thoughtful conversation can change what happens next.

Jennifer Klein, REALTOR®

707.536.3019

[email protected]