When we first met Jess and Dan in 2018, they were first-time homebuyers searching for a place to grow roots. Like many couples in the Bay Area, they dreamed of owning a home that could evolve with their lives. We helped them buy their first property in Oakland’s Maxwell Park neighborhood for $627,000—a charming home with tons of potential.
By 2020, they were ready for the next chapter. With a new baby on the way, they called us again—this time to sell. With our help prepping the property, they sold it for $765,000, building equity and unlocking the power of real estate as a wealth-building tool.
Doing a walkthrough for property prep in 2020—hence the face masks!
A Bigger Home, More Room to Grow
Dan & Jess’s next move? A Compass Private Exclusive, Off-market, listing in San Leandro: 2069 Horne Street, which they purchased for $725,000. Over the years, they transformed it—fully remodeling the kitchen, updating the layout, and making it a warm, modern home full of joy, toys, and family memories.
When It Was Time to Sell, Plan A Didn’t Land — So We Pivoted
By the time Jess and Dan decided to sell, they knew it had to be handled thoughtfully. With a young child in tow, the idea of moving twice felt exhausting. So they tried Phase 1—an off-market sale with self-staging and professional photos while staying put. But after weeks with no offers, it became clear they needed a better plan.
It was time to pivot.
That’s when we launched Phase 2: they temporarily moved in with family, stored their belongings, and we elevated the curb appeal with exterior paint and finish strategic upgrades.
We didn’t need to change much inside of the home. Jess and Dan had already done thoughtful upgrades over the years. The biggest transformation was on the outside: a curb appeal glow-up that stopped buyers in their tracks.
The Talbot Team Advantage: Strategy, Staging, Success
Using a $20,380 Compass Concierge no-interest loan, we helped them make smart upgrades that elevated the listing:
✅ Professional Staging
✅ Strategic Property Prep
✅ Exterior Painting
✅ Curb Appeal Refresh
✅ Custom Marketing + Outreach
We listed the home at $729,000, Jess and Dan were hoping to get $815,000.
Thanks to the upgrades and exposure, we received 8 competitive offers and negotiated a sale price of $870,000—a 19.5% gain over asking and a major return on their investment.
While we were in contract on their San Leandro sale, Jess and Dan got into contract on their forever home in Grass Valley, CA. The timing worked out beautifully—one home closing just as the next chapter began.
Why We’re So Good at This
Because we’ve done it ourselves—three times.
We've been the first-time buyers, the overwhelmed young parents trying to get a house ready for sale, and the move-up buyers navigating the leap to something bigger.
We get it. We love it. And we’re good at it.
If you’ve outgrown your starter home and are thinking about your next move, let’s talk.
We know how to help you unlock equity, build wealth, and move up with confidence.