AT HOME WITH
Justin & Lauren
Avondale, Chicago | Represented by Courtney Funkhouser
During an extremely tough market for buyers, Courtney spotted this gem on the Top Agent Network. With only an iPhone photo to go off of, they still had a feeling this could be The One – & they were right!
Lauren & Justin first reached out regarding their home search in March of 2021. Thankfully, the world was slowly starting to feel more “normal” post-Covid, but we were still experiencing the effects of extremely low inventory & high buyer demand.
We got their initial consultation on the books & began their search. Shortly after, the first house that we requested to see turned down our showing request as they were fully booked for the weekend & couldn’t accommodate any additional showings. The listing agent said it was the first time in 20 years she had ever experienced this. Needless to say, it was an extremely tough market to be a buyer in!
Thankfully, not long after, I saw a TAN listing that I thought would be a great fit for Lauren & Justin, so I quickly sent it to them. It was only iPhone photos, but they could tell it had great potential to be “the one.” We got in ASAP for a showing, & it was truly perfect for them. We submitted a strong offer shortly after their showing & we were the first offer on the table.
Given the home was turn-key & recently renovated, other buyers were also very interested in purchasing it, so additional offers started rolling in. We regrouped & drafted a “best & final” offer & sent it over by the deadline. I called the listing agent constantly, asking him to give me any info that could help Justin & Lauren win over the seller. Thankfully, this strategy worked as he gave us hints to improve our offer & ultimately, the seller ended up selecting Justin & Lauren’s offer, even though they were not the highest offer on the table.
Since Lauren & Justin moved in, they welcomed their son, Calvin, home in April 2023. He will one day get to enjoy the gorgeous built-in play house in the basement & the big backyard that their dog, Winnie, already loves. I am so happy for this sweet family & proud of them for fighting through such a tough market!
A Few Quick Questions for Justin & Lauren
How many homes did you look at before finding yours? 3
How did you know this was The One? This house was on the private market, so we only saw a blurry iPhone picture prior to touring the house. However, we were very intrigued because the location was perfect. When we toured the house, it checked all our boxes!
What is the very best feature in your home? We LOVE our front porch. During the warmer months, you can find us out there with a cup of coffee or a beverage with neighbors. We really lucked out with the best neighbors! We also have a mini playhouse in the basement, which is super unique to our house. Although our son, Calvin, is not yet old enough to take advantage of the playhouse, we know that will be one of his favorite features in the near future!
Which room do you spend the most time in? We spend a lot of time in our living room and then of course on our front porch!
Go-to restaurant in your neighborhood? Jaiyen (Thai), Lawrence Fish Market (sushi), Honey Butter Fried Chicken (happy hour margaritas!)
Share your fave memory in your home! We’ve made so many memories in this house! One core memory was bringing home our baby, Calvin, from the hospital last April 2023 and introducing him to our dog, Winnie. He LOVES her!
