Relocating From California to Magnolia: Selling and Buying at the Same Time on the Second Try

Who were the clients, and why were they moving?

They were a couple from a California suburb who wanted to live closer to family in Montgomery County and enjoy warmer weather. Today they're less than 30 minutes from their family. They had a home to sell in California and a home to buy here, and they paid cash for the home they bought.

Our relocation page explains how we help people relocating to Montgomery County.

What did they need from the move?

They needed to sell one home and buy another in two different states without feeling like they had to settle. For the house itself, three things mattered most: about 4,000 square feet, close to an acre of land, and brand new construction.

Their biggest concern was timing. When you're selling in one state and buying in another, both sides have to move in the right order, and the clients didn't want the pressure of the calendar to push them into a house that wasn't right.

What made this move difficult?

The hardest part was that they had already tried this move once, and it didn't work. About a year earlier, they had a home picked out here in Montgomery County, Todd was working with them, and they were under contract. Then their California sale fell through.

That first contract was written with a contingency for the sale of their California home. When the California sale fell apart, we terminated the contract here and their earnest money was protected. They stayed with us the whole way through, and when they were ready to try again, so were we.

The second time, they started over once their California home was under contract.

Timeline

1. Step 1. First attempt: under contract on a home in Montgomery County, written with a contingency for the sale of the California home.
2. Step 2. California sale falls through. Contract terminated, earnest money protected.
3. Step 3. About a year later: California home goes under contract. Clients fly in and find a new construction home in Magnolia over one weekend.
4. Step 4. Both closings happen within a day or so of each other.

How did we coordinate with their California listing agent?

I handled all of the coordination with their listing agent in California, and she and I talked constantly while their home was on the market and under contract. The clients found her on their own. Later they learned she and I knew each other. She's a fellow eXp agent, and we're in the same coaching program. They reached out to me after that, and knowing their two agents already had a working relationship reassured them.

What local knowledge shaped the search?

The local knowledge that mattered most was knowing which homes to put in front of them, and having a builder on our side of the table. Todd is a builder, so when a new construction home is on the list, he can speak to how it was put together and what's left to finish.

This time the search focused mainly on Magnolia and nearby areas in Montgomery County. The home they chose is a new construction home in Magnolia.

Our Magnolia page covers more about living in Magnolia.

What options did they consider?

They considered almost everything available at their price point, and most of the other options were resale homes. Since brand new construction was one of their top three needs, that narrowed the field quickly.

They flew in and found their home over one weekend.

Our luxury service page explains how we help with homes over a million in Montgomery County.

What did we recommend, and why?

We didn't need to steer them, because they fell in love with this home on their own. It's a traditional style new construction home from a local custom builder, about 4,000 square feet on a little less than an acre, priced over a million. It was almost complete when they found it.

Todd felt the builder had built a well-crafted home, so we were comfortable with their choice. The clients told us they could never have gotten that much house and land for this price where they came from in California. That's their view from their own search, and it was a big part of why this one felt right to them.

Our guide to buying new construction covers what to look for.

What did we do from offer to closing?

Todd handled the transaction from showings through closing. I wrote the offer, and Todd negotiated the price. He guided them through inspections and negotiated repairs, along with the completion and addition of items they wanted in the home.

Because the home was still being finished, Todd went back to the house multiple times to make sure the agreed items were done. He kept the purchase moving all the way to closing, while I kept in touch with their California agent on the sale side.

The second time around, there were no obstacles. It was easy and smooth, and their two closings happened within a day or so of each other.

How did it turn out?

They closed about a year ago and they're really enjoying their new home. They're putting in a pool and enjoying being close to family.

Looking back, we wouldn't change anything about how this one went. We kept them protected through both contracts, we were thorough, and we were careful about which homes we had them consider.

What would we tell someone planning the same move?

It absolutely can be done. In my words:

"I call this part project management. You're selling a home in another state, finding what you need here, and making Texas home. Sometimes it lines up like this one did. Sometimes you need a quick stop at an Airbnb. Either way, we can get it done."

Frequently asked questions

Should you wait until your current home is under contract before you look here?

These clients did it both ways. The first time, they went under contract here with a contingency for the sale of their California home, and when that sale fell through, we terminated with their earnest money protected. The second time, they started the search once their California home was under contract. The right order for your move depends on your situation, so it's worth talking through before you start touring homes.

Give us a call at 281-636-5633 or talk through your move with us.

Can you find a home here in one trip?

These clients did. They flew in and found their home over one weekend, after their California home was already under contract.

Ellen Pool is the owner of Pool Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, serving Montgomery County, TX. She and her husband Todd Pool, a builder, run the business together.