Finding Sarah’s Purple Unicorn: A 7.5-Month House Hunting Journey to the Perfect Multigenerational Home
Helping Sarah find her dream home was a true pleasure! Sarah came to me through a referral from a very good friend of mine, and little did we know that our house-hunting journey would turn into a 7.5-month search for what we eventually called “a purple unicorn with a magenta hue!”
We Weren’t Just Looking for a House. We Were Looking for a Unicorn!
Sarah had a very special reason for buying a home. Her elderly parents were planning to move in with her, so she wasn't just looking for a house for herself. She was looking for a home that would comfortably accommodate two generations under one roof.
And not just any home would do!
We needed a true ranch with no interior steps whatsoever. A tri-level or even a three-step ranch was out of the question because her parents needed easy accessibility. The home also needed at least two full bathrooms on the main level, three bedrooms, and a layout that would allow Sarah and her parents to have their own living spaces while still being together.
And, of course, it all had to fit within a specific price range!
That's when I realized we weren't just looking for a house. We were looking for a unicorn!
Then Our Unicorn Turned Purple!
As Sarah and I continued our search, we discovered another important requirement: a wider driveway that could accommodate multiple vehicles parked in front of the home. Since Sarah's mom had difficulty walking, convenient parking close to the front entrance was essential.
That's when Sarah and I started joking that we weren't looking for just any unicorn anymore.
We were looking for a PURPLE unicorn!
But wait! The requirements didn't stop there.
As we looked at more homes, we realized that the floor plan was just as important as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Sarah needed a home designed for related living, where she and her parents could comfortably share one house while maintaining their privacy and independence.
We wanted a layout that provided enough separation between the living spaces so that everyone could enjoy being together without constantly stepping on each other's toes.
And just like that, our purple unicorn evolved into...
A PURPLE UNICORN WITH A MAGENTA HUE! 🦄💜
Was Our Journey Smooth? Absolutely Not!
Over the course of our search, Sarah and I faced our share of disappointments.
We were outbid on a couple of homes in a very competitive Spring and Summer market. But I always tell my buyers:
"If you get outbid, that house was not meant to be yours. I promise you, I will find you something bigger and better. And I always do!"
Eventually, we found a home Sarah loved. We submitted an offer, negotiated the terms, and successfully went under contract.
Sarah was thrilled! She had already shared the exciting news with her family and friends. Her parents were looking forward to their next chapter together.
But then, almost a week into the transaction, something unexpected happened in the sellers' world.
The sellers canceled the contract.
Sarah was devastated.
After spending so much time searching, finally finding something she loved, and telling everyone she was buying a house, we were suddenly back to square one.
It was heartbreaking.
But I reminded Sarah of the promise I had made her from the very beginning: We would find something bigger and better.
And I had absolutely no intention of giving up!
7.5 Months Later… We Found Our Purple Unicorn With a Magenta Hue!
And then it happened!
After 7.5 months of house hunting, disappointments, multiple offers, and definitely plenty of patience, we finally walked into a home that checked all the boxes.
Not only was this home much newer than the one Sarah had previously been under contract to purchase, but it also had the perfect floor plan to accommodate two families comfortably.
It offered the space, privacy, accessibility, and layout that Sarah and her parents needed.
I will never forget Sarah's reaction when she walked through the door.
"This is it! This is exactly what we're looking for!"
I knew right then that we had found THE ONE!
We put together a very strong offer, knowing how competitive the market was, and guess what?
OUR OFFER WAS ACCEPTED! 🎉
And thanks to an amazing lender who worked incredibly hard to make everything happen, we closed on Sarah's beautiful new home within just 2 weeks of submitting our offer!
The Best Part of My Job? Moments Like This!
There's something incredibly rewarding about helping someone find a house. But helping someone find a home where they can build memories, care for their aging parents, and enjoy the next chapter of their life together? That is something truly special.
Here's Sarah, standing on the doorstep of her new home, absolutely glowing with happiness!
That smile is what makes every showing, every rejected offer, every disappointment, and every hour of hard work worth it.
Sarah, thank you for trusting me throughout this journey, for your patience, and for never giving up on our purple unicorn with a magenta hue! 🦄💜
I couldn't be happier for you and your family.
Your Perfect Home Is Out There. Sometimes It Just Takes a Little Longer to Find It!
If you're looking for a home with specific requirements, whether it's a ranch with no steps, a related-living arrangement, multigenerational housing, or simply a unique floor plan, don't get discouraged.
The right home is worth waiting for, and having a dedicated real estate broker who listens, understands your needs, and refuses to give up can make all the difference.
After 21 years in real estate, I still believe that finding the right home isn't just about bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage.
It's about finding a home that truly fits your life.
And sometimes, that means hunting for a purple unicorn with a magenta hue!
Irina Allison
Managing Broker / Owner
Allison Towne Realty
A Beautiful Google Review From Sarah 💜
Below is the wonderful review that Sarah shared on my Google Business page. Sarah, thank you so much for your kind words, your appreciation, and for being such a pleasure to work with!
Sarah Lange's Google Review:
"Irina is so much more than just a realtor. She truly is a one-stop shop for everything a homebuyer could possibly need. Not only is she deeply knowledgeable about the housing market, but she also has a keen eye for identifying potential issues during home tours. She would never, in good conscience, sell you a home that could become problematic, and her honest approach earned my trust very quickly.
I needed a very specific home, and Irina patiently worked with me for 7.5 months until we finally found it! In addition to being an incredible realtor, she has a vast network of trusted contacts, from cleaning services and painters to movers and so much more.
Working with Irina throughout this process was truly a blessing. She helped me navigate the entire experience of buying my first home and went above and beyond to make my move-in as easy as possible.
Thank you, Irina, for helping me find my unicorn! 🦄🏡"
Sarah L. bought a ranch-style home in Yorkville, Illinois, with Irina Allison as her real estate broker.
