The Katie Conundrum: Deals Saved and Dreams Made
When Katie saw her dream home go up for sale just across the street from her brother, there was no time to waste. It wasn’t just any house; it was the one.
Lisa Chandler-Oliver, Katie’s REALTOR®, had navigated the purchase offer beautifully, securing the new home with a contingency on Katie’s current home selling. Everything aligned perfectly. The buyer for Katie’s home was solid, the dates matched up and the finish line was in sight.
Until it wasn’t.
Just one week before closing, Katie’s buyer got cold feet and backed out, and everything began to unravel. Katie couldn’t buy the new home without selling hers; meanwhile, the seller of the dream home wasn’t willing to delay.
“Katie wasn’t sure what to do. When the first buyer for her home canceled the contract, she only knew she couldn’t lose the house right across from her brother,” Lisa Chandler-Oliver says.
But that’s when the power of having the right team made all the difference.
Lisa made the call. Within minutes, the team had pivoted to a bridge loan. In most situations, this kind of pivot would be daunting, as bridge loans require precision, coordination and a quick turnaround that most lenders simply aren’t built to handle. But at Fairway, one of our core values is speed to respond, and that value was put to the test.
Fairway structured a bridge loan that unlocked the equity in Katie’s existing home, eliminated the need for a sale contingency and let her close on time. And we got it all done in just seven days.
“Our Fairway loan officer, Mike Swaleh, came through with a bridge loan and was able to save the transaction,” according to Lisa. “This worked out better for Katie, as she was able to close escrow and make her improvements before moving in.”
“We live for this,” said Mike. “I love when we get to move fast and solve real problems. I mean, I love helping anyone, but when someone really needs you and the stakes are high, I feel like that’s our opportunity to shine.”
Katie got her keys on time, to the home she really wanted. And she never forgot how Lisa showed up for her. Not just as an agent, but as an advocate.
Lisa’s calm guidance, quick action and unwavering support in a high-stakes moment were a true reflection of the values championed by the Women’s Council of REALTORS®. Her ability to lead through crisis, collaborate with partners, and uphold professional credibility under pressure not only saved the deal, but also strengthened her client relationship and elevated her reputation as a trusted expert. It’s exactly the kind of empowered leadership our industry needs.
When a transaction starts to go sideways, you need more than just good intentions. You need solutions and a lender who’s calm under pressure, fast on the draw and backed by a team built for these moments. Working with someone who can turn panic into professionalism elevates your business and builds your reputation.
As Lisa says, “Happy client, happy agent!”
In real estate, not every deal is clean, but with the right team, you can still deliver the dream. That’s where Fairway’s national network of mortgage professionals comes in. With an arsenal of home-financing tools and products, we work hard to ensure that everyone walks away happy. Visit Home.com and find your local Fairway team.