When a Denver family relocating for the wife’s job needed to buy a home nearly a thousand miles away on a tight spring deadline — while their Denver home was being sold separately — they needed an agent who could move fast and manage every detail on the California side. Here’s how I found them a quiet, large-lot property in Santa Rosa Valley, Ventura County and got them closed on time despite a septic inspection scare and a stale listing that became their advantage.
Why Were They Moving From Denver to Ventura County?
They relocated because the wife’s job — producing a major podcast — required her to be on-site full-time instead of flying in periodically. They had kids and dogs and were living in a busy, metro part of Denver, and wanted to trade that for more space and quiet in California.
What Were They Looking For in a New Home?
They wanted a large lot out in nature, more room for their kids and dogs, and a good school district — even though it meant a longer commute for the wife. Land, quiet, and schools mattered more to them than a short commute.
What Made This Purchase So Time-Sensitive?
They had a hard deadline to be moved in by March or April, and only a couple of pilot trips to figure out which neighborhood was right before committing. They were in a short-term rental in the meantime and didn’t want to keep paying for it longer than necessary, so timing was everything on my end.
What Happened With the Septic Tank Inspection?
The first inspection flagged issues that sounded serious but turned out to be overstated. Septic systems aren’t common in most of the areas I typically sell, so we got second and third opinions from specialists who actually knew what they were looking at, and it turned into a minor issue resolved with a small credit rather than a deal-breaker.
How Did We Turn a Stale Listing Into Negotiating Leverage?
This home had been sitting on the market for a long time, which told me the seller had room to negotiate — she was downsizing, had already secured her next place, and needed to close. We used that timeline pressure, along with the home’s days on market, to negotiate the price down.
What Did I Actually Do to Get This Closed on Time?
I structured the offer and price strategy based on conversations with the listing agent, coordinated all the inspections and re-inspections, got pricing from vendors for the septic questions, and managed the timeline around their lease end date so they wouldn’t be stuck paying for their rental longer than needed.
How Did It Turn Out?
The home was originally listed at $1,679,000, had dropped to $1,599,000, and we closed at $1,525,000 — on their target timeline. They left a five-star review saying they “couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” and that I was “attentive” and “incredibly knowledgeable” throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a home in California before my current home sells?
Yes — in this case, the client’s Denver home was being handled by a separate sale process, so their California offer wasn’t contingent on that sale closing, which made the offer stronger. If your sale hasn’t closed yet, we can talk through how to structure a contingent offer or bridge the timing.
What should I know about buying a home with a septic system in the Valley or Ventura County area?
Septic systems are less common in most of the areas I sell, so it’s critical to bring in an inspector who specializes in them specifically. A generalist can flag issues that sound alarming but aren’t, so getting a second opinion before you panic (or walk away) is worth it.
Is it a red flag if a home has been on the market for a long time?
Not necessarily — it can actually work in your favor. A longer days-on-market number often means the seller is more motivated, and it’s worth having your agent reach out to the listing agent directly to find out why.
How many trips should I plan to find the right neighborhood before relocating out of state?
As many as your schedule allows. Even a couple of pilot trips, spent driving through neighborhoods at different times of day, can make the difference between guessing and knowing you found the right area.
If you’re relocating to the Valley from out of state yourself, I’d love to help — read more about how I support out-of-state buyers, or get in touch to start your own home search.
Kendra Fuchs is a REALTOR® serving Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, and the greater San Fernando Valley, with hands-on experience helping out-of-state clients relocate confidently and navigate tight timelines.