How We Secured a Unicorn Home in Northwest Hills — and the Strategic Playbook That Saved Tens of Thousands

How we helped a Buyer secure a dream home in Northwest Hills with strategic timing, negotiation, and a sharp playbook that saved tens of thousands.

This spring, the national real estate market quietly shifted — and savvy Buyers are beginning to feel the change. According to recent data, nearly 34% of homes across the U.S. had a price cut in March 2025, the highest rate for this time of year in recent history. For context, even during the pandemic frenzy in 2021, only 18.7% of listings saw a price reduction. In Austin, Texas every zipcode near the downtown core saw price increases (some as high as 50%+ month after month) as people flooded in from California, Colorado, the northeast and even some of my Canadian friends headed out of the country. Fast forward 4 years later, where Austin values continue to soar in some zip codes and are significantly lower in other zip codes (I talk more specifics regularly on my live un-podcast "What's Brewing" on Thursdays if you ever want to join us live with questions on instagram). Whatever the national news is stating about Austin housing prices tanking today -- you can't paint with that wide of a brush-- as where we’ve continued to see hot competition and multiple offers for well-priced homes in neighborhoods like Northwest Hills, these shifts are giving well-prepared Buyers — and their Agents who can navigate and negotiate strategically — a real edge.

Timing, Strategy, and Relationships Still Matter

When a standout property hit the market in Northwest Hills, I moved quickly — not just with speed but with laser-focused intention.

📍 Listing Night One: I previewed the home immediately with my Client. If she hadn't been available, I was previewing this "needle in a haystack" on their behalf. We didn’t wait to “see it later” — we showed up while others were still setting search filters. We caught golden-hour views from the distinctive covered porch which revealed how the space truly lived. The vibe was instant. Her vision was clear and she had recently surrendered to the fact that this house may take years to become a reality... until we walked in that night. 

📲 I built a rapport with the Seller’s Agent right away — beginning with a warm, professional text requesting the preview (even though the lockbox wasn’t on the property yet). I followed up with immediate feedback after the showing, which opened the door for future negotiations built on trust and transparency. Agent feedback is a highly contentious subject I'll save for another day. In the meantime, check out Dustin Brohm's "Agents Getting Sued Over Providing Feedback".

🏡 Day Two, 10:00 AM: I brought my Buyers in well before the first open house started that same day at noon. My goal, see it privately and in their own time as she was seeing it for the second time (now in full daylight) and he was seeing it for the first time.

When you’re serious about winning a home (especially one that is so specific to your needs/wants/dreams), you don’t wait for the crowd — you move before it forms. You lead. 

Strategy Wins in a Buyer-Sensitive Market 

Rising mortgage rates and high inventory have shifted the real estate market dynamic. While price cuts are becoming more common, not every discount equals value. Some homes in Austin are still overpriced (for the market), and many Buyers are unsure whether to act or sit on the sidelines. In this case, we moved with clarity. My Buyer was fully prepped — financially and emotionally. She was a "ready, willing and able" Buyer. Without all three aspects, a so-called Buyer is just a dreamer with a real estate wish. If my Clients see a house they like/love and they can't buy it because I didn't have them fully prepared in all arenas, then I haven't done my job properly. This house checked most of the boxes. Now what? We submitted a sharp, timely offer and I negotiated strategically to secure the home, avoiding bidding wars and gaining terms that worked in their favor.

We brought in a team of exceptional experts: an inspector, foundation expert, plumbing expert (scope pipes going out to the city street in Northwest Hills), handy man (I may or may not have crawled up in the attic with the handyman).  I re-negotiated the purchase price based on their professional findings. We had previous Seller Concessions built in as well and we strategically re-allocated some of those funds based on the Lender’s.

What This Means for You 

If you’ve been waiting for a more Buyer-friendly market in Northwest Hills or surrounding areas of Austin, now may be your moment. But it’s not just about catching price drops — it’s about recognizing value, moving with purpose, and working with someone who knows how to get ahead of the crowd. The right time to move is when it's right for you. 

Let’s Make Your Move

Thinking about buying in Northwest Hills? Let’s build a strategy that’s customized, proactive, and focused on getting you into the right home at the right time. Like my amazing Client who now owns her dream home while others are dreaming about it.

📞 DM me @jennifersgoodman or call 512-548-4568. The best homes don’t wait — and neither should you.