From Coffee Conversations to the Perfect Off-Market Home: Michael’s Journey to His Dream Property

I first met Michael more than two years ago—well before we ever talked about buying real estate. We connected through a trusted banker I’ve known for years at Chase Bank, and from the moment Michael and I sat down for that first quarterly coffee, I knew he was the kind of person who valued intentionality, clarity, and vision.

Interestingly, real estate wasn’t even part of our early conversations. We talked business, life, and the projects he was passionate about. It wasn’t until more than a year into knowing each other that he finally shared some of his long-term real estate goals: upgrading into a higher-quality home and eventually building his future dream residence on land nearby.

When he was ready to move forward, he was calm, confident, and laser-focused. As a tech-savvy entrepreneur who had built multiple companies, Michael wasn’t new to big decisions. But since he wasn’t originally from the U.S., the buying process here was quite different from what he was used to. That became my role: not just an agent, but a guide. I walked him through each contract, each paragraph, each clause—ensuring he understood exactly why things were the way they were.

His priorities were clear:
• a strict budget
• move-in readiness
• uncompromising quality
• and a location close to the parcel of land where he’d eventually build

We looked at homes on and off the market, toured some of my firm’s own luxury listings, and kept an open line of communication—calls, coffees, and thoughtful conversations about what truly mattered to him and his wife.

There was one home he absolutely loved—our $15M luxury listing that became the highest-priced sale in Clark County history. He could’ve purchased it, but he knew it wasn’t the one. That restraint, that clarity, told me he had a very specific vision for his next chapter.

Eventually, the home he was meant for surfaced—but it wasn’t actually for sale.
Because of a strong relationship with the seller, I was able to reach out directly and open a conversation. The home had amazing curb appeal, was nearly 5,000 square feet on a single level, included an ADU, and had an incredible indoor-outdoor flow. High-end finishes, smart-home features, a grand kitchen built for hosting, and a gated community he loved… it checked every box.

Since it was new construction, there wasn’t much margin for price negotiation, but this is where creativity matters. I negotiated several upgrades, improvements, and even furnishings that my clients loved. We also handled every inspection item swiftly thanks to a responsive builder with an excellent reputation.

When their offer was accepted, Michael and his wife were thrilled. Even over the phone, I could hear the joy in their voices. “Thank you for your hard work and diligence,” they told me. It meant a lot.

The closing was seamless—our transaction team handled everything early and thoroughly—so by the time we reached the finish line, there were no surprises, no stress, just a smooth transition into their new home. The builder even spent an additional two weeks after closing completing final items from the blue-tape walk-through to ensure perfection.

When they stepped inside as owners for the first time, they felt at ease. The furnishings we negotiated gave the home a turnkey feeling, and they enjoyed adding their own touches afterward. Though they’re a private couple, they’ve shared how much they love the location, the layout, and the lifestyle the home has provided.

Their review meant the world to me: they appreciated my availability, my negotiation strategy, the concessions I secured, and the extreme diligence with every detail of the inspection and contract process. Most importantly, they appreciated how smooth the entire experience felt.

In many ways, this wasn’t an unusual journey for a high-net-worth buyer. What made it special was the trust. Michael trusted himself to know what he wanted—and he trusted me to help him find it. That trust is what led us to an off-market home that fit his vision perfectly and brought him one step closer to his long-term dream of building his future residence.

For me, that’s what this business is about:
Listening deeply. Guiding confidently. Executing with purpose.