Selling a family home is never easy. Add multiple stakeholders into the mix, and the process can become even more complex — layered with emotions, opinions, and priorities.

But for a seasoned agent like Fiona, these challenges are all in a day’s work. She excels at striking the perfect balance, ensuring every voice is heard while steering everyone toward a shared goal. It’s a blend of empathy, negotiation skills, business acumen, and real estate expertise.

Carrie’s story illustrates Fiona’s finesse in action.

Selling a Family Home: Balancing Heart and Strategy

When Carrie’s parents passed away, she and her siblings faced the bittersweet task of selling their cherished Rye home, the family’s beloved haven for years. To get the house ready for sale, she and her siblings sifted through decades of memories and belongings. In the process, they uncovered a flyer Fiona had sent to their parents. It showcased Fiona’s deep knowledge of Rye, her unmatched real estate and staging expertise, and genuine understanding of the community.

After interviewing multiple agents, the siblings chose Fiona. What shone through was her personal approach, her robust network, community involvement, and on-point recommendations of how to elevate a wonderful, yet outdated home. She guided their family through every step, from market education to home preparation, with transparency and care.

“She took us to see comparable homes in the area, breaking down what to expect and helping us align on pricing,” Carrie recalls. “She was clear, honest, and always had a plan.”

Navigating Diverse Perspectives

Selling a home where there are multiple family members means navigating a variety of perspectives. Fiona excelled in managing viewpoints, ensuring all were involved and felt understood.

“Fiona took late night calls — even Sunday nights at 10 p.m. — to address our concerns. She was always available and patiently explained her recommendations, emphasizing the ‘why’ behind her strategy. She’s a consummate professional who is simply a calm, kind, grounded person to deal with during a stressful time,” Carrie says.

Fiona knew the family wanted to move at a fast pace, and led them swiftly, and expertly, to the finish line. She advised implementing virtual staging for an empty home to appeal to buyers and connected them with painters and other home pros to handle the updates. She also considered the emotional toll selling can take on a family.

“After losing both of our parents, it was a very emotional time. Fiona was able to navigate those waters. That sensitivity made all the difference. Coupled with her subject matter expertise, the support helped us all prepare for sale,” Carrie says.

Closing the Deal

Despite the challenges, Fiona led the family to a seamless close. Carrie points out Fiona always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude to match — and she was tough when she needed to be. She created a collaborative experience during a pivotal time, smartly negotiating a top-quality offer, leaving Carrie and her siblings confident in their decision.

“You can know the market and have all the connections, but if you can’t negotiate for your client, none of that matters,” Carrie points out, noting that she found Fiona refreshing. “Fiona checked off all the boxes. As someone who’s also in business, I really appreciate her ability to get results. She’s at the top of her game. We couldn’t have done it without her.”

To read more about what to do when selling a parent’s home, click here.