When I received this listing, I was thrilled that my clients entrusted me with the sale of their first home. The first step was to dive right in and help them deep clean the property. Since the home was going to be vacant, we made sure every corner was spotless and ready for showings. As a photographer, I took the listing photos and virtually staged the space. If I do say so myself, it looked fantastic! I crafted a listing description that highlighted the story of the home and the wonderful neighborhood it’s part of. We listed the home in early June, not anticipating the sudden withdrawal of buyers from the MLS. I spoke with other agents around Bend, and they were experiencing the same issue. About 50 days in, we decided to stage the home—something I had suggested initially but that my clients were hesitant about when we listed quickly. Once staged, I hired a videographer to showcase the home and highlight the neighborhood, which was a major selling point. About 20 days later, we received an offer, and the buyer remarked that the home felt incredibly welcoming as soon as they walked in! Lessons learned: It's smart to stage from the start, and no matter how much you study the market, unexpected shifts will always occur. Being flexible and ready to adapt is key.