When Darrell and Kailyn Mayweathers came to me, they weren't buying their first home — they needed a second home, and they wanted to use the VA loan benefits Darrell had earned through his service.
Move-up buyers face a different set of questions than first-time buyers. They already know what a few years of living in a house teaches you: what you'd change, what you can't live without, what actually matters when the offer comes down to negotiation. Darrell and Kailyn brought that experience to the table, and my job was to make sure it paid off.
We found a home in Hazel Crest, IL that checked their boxes. Then came the part I love most about this work: negotiating on their behalf. Using Darrell's VA loan benefits, I was able to secure almost $12,000 in seller-paid closing costs — real money that stayed in their pockets instead of leaving the table.
But the number that still gets me is this one: the home appraised $16,000 over what they paid for it. Darrell and Kailyn didn't just buy a home, they built in equity before they ever unpacked a box.
This is the outcome I want for every buyer I work with. Whether you're using VA benefits, buying for the first time, or moving up like Darrell and Kailyn did, knowing how to negotiate is what turns a good deal into a great one.
Thank you, Darrell, for your service. And thank you, Darrell and Kailyn, for trusting me with a move that mattered.
If you're thinking about your next home in the Chicago south suburbs, let's talk about how the right negotiation strategy can put more money back in your pocket at closing. Call or text me at 815-205-0395, or reach out at piercysells.com/buyers.
Quick facts
- Buyers: Darrell & Kailyn Mayweathers
- Location: Hazel Crest, IL
- Deal type: VA loan, move-up (second home) purchase
- Result: ~$12,000 in seller-paid closing costs negotiated; home appraised $16,000 over purchase price
- Agent: Chris Piercy, Real People Realty — Top 0.1% Zillow Agent, Top 1% Realtor in Illinois
