Client Results: Real Houston Deals and How We Handled Them

These are 24 recent Compean Group transactions, from inspection negotiations and low appraisals to sellers who live overseas. Each case names only the area, ZIP code and type of home, never the client or the street address.

Updated October 21, 2026

Jump to: Inspection negotiations · Offers, termites and appraisals · Owners abroad, renovations, investors and past clients

Inspection negotiations

1. An as-is sale meets a surprise inspection list

South Houston (77047) · 2009 single-family home · Seller

Problem: The home was listed as-is, but the buyer's inspection flagged an electrical-panel shock hazard, HVAC drainage problems, a 2009 furnace, water-stained roof decking and possible microbial growth. The buyer asked for $10,000 more in credit.
Seller's concern: Getting the most money without losing a strong buyer who was nearly ready to close.
What we did: Pushed back by pointing to a second interested buyer, which cut the request in half to $5,000 (total credit $10,500). Then priced the backup: about $6,000 more net, but a month later, with a new inspection, a new appraisal and a smaller down payment.
Result: The seller chose speed and certainty and kept the first buyer.

2. Holding an as-is buyer to a $1,000 credit

Katy (77493) · 2003 single-family home · Seller

Problem: An as-is sale reached the end of inspections, the point where buyers often come back with a repair list.
Sellers' concern: No repairs and no reopening of the price.
What we did: Kept the buyer to a single $1,000 credit with no repairs, raising the closing credit from $5,000 to $6,000, and recommended accepting to keep the buyer committed.
Result: Both sellers signed the amendment the next morning.

3. A 20-year-old roof and failing stucco

Washington Corridor (77007) · 2006 home · Seller

Problem: The buyer found the original 20-year-old roof, stucco with failing sealant and soft substrate, and a 20-year-old AC and water heater, then asked for a $25,000 credit.
Seller's concern: Paying for big-ticket repairs versus relisting and facing the same findings with the next buyer.
What we did: Took the AC and water heater off the table, shared a real stucco estimate from another listing to set expectations, and advised negotiating, since any future buyer would find the same roof and stucco.
Result: Closed at $515,000.

4. A 1910 bungalow: repairs, a foundation warranty and an appraisal at value

Near Northside (77009) · 1910 bungalow · Seller

Problem: The inspection led to HVAC, termite and foundation repairs, and the price still had to hold up at appraisal.
Seller's concern: Getting repairs done once, on schedule, without the deal stalling.
What we did: Wrote a repair amendment both sides agreed to, with paid invoices going to the buyer, and handed over the foundation contractor's documents and warranty. Before the appraisal, we briefed the appraiser that three full bathrooms is rare for bungalows in the area.
Result: Appraised at contract value and closed at $435,000.

5. An owner abroad, a listing error and an upset buyer

Washington Corridor (77007) · 2003 townhome · Seller

Problem: The buyer asked for $1,000 toward a new oven, the history of two old leaks and a licensed plumber for a corroded pipe. She was also upset to learn the HOA fee did not cover water and sewer, as the listing had said.
Seller's concern: Living abroad and already selling below expectations, the seller refused a larger credit.
What we did: Corrected the HOA detail in writing, got the seller to cover $350 toward the oven plus the $150 reinspection fee, and kept both sides at the table.

6. Answering a $13,000 foundation request with records

East End (77011) · 1938 multifamily · Seller

Problem: After the price was agreed, the buyer's foundation specialist estimated $13,000 in repairs and pointed to sloping floors, sticking doors and roof concerns.
Seller's concern: Giving back a large concession on a building the owners had carefully maintained.
What we did: Answered with records: the foundation was leveled in 2020 for $4,400 with two beams replaced, a gravel drainage channel surrounds the home, the ductwork is under 10 years old, the roof dates to about 2014, and the whole property was brought up to 2019 code under City of Houston inspection.

7. A closing-cost request and an aging AC

Heights area (77008) · 2010 home · Seller

Problem: The buyer asked for help with closing costs after inspection. The seller was at $10,000 and the buyer wanted $11,000, partly over an aging AC unit.
Seller's concern: Not losing the sale over $1,000, but making sure it was the last request.
What we did: Confirmed the AC's age with the seller to weigh the request, then confirmed in writing that, with the appraisal already at value, there would be no further negotiation.
Result: The seller agreed to $11,000 ("I'm not going to lose this over $1k"), and the amendment went to title the same day.

8. An owner overseas who wanted to be done

Independence Heights (77018) · 2017 home · Seller

Problem: After inspection, the buyer wanted a larger credit.
Seller's concern: The owner, living overseas, wanted to net about $323,000 and be finished with the house, with property taxes still to prorate.
What we did: Ran the seller's net including taxes, made clear the seller had other options, and held at a $3,500 credit.
Result: The buyer accepted. The same family later hired us to sell a relative's home.

9. Small findings, settled in minutes

South Houston (77047) · 2009 single-family home · Seller

Problem: The buyer's inspection turned up only minor items.
Seller's concern: Avoiding a drawn-out back-and-forth.
What we did: Summarized the findings, framed them as small, and recommended one $2,500 repair credit instead of a repair list.
Result: The seller approved within minutes of the update.

Offers, termites and appraisals

10. Two offers, a counter and a roof estimate

Webster (77598) · 2003 condo · Seller

Problem: Two offers came in. After the winning buyer's inspection, roof repairs came up, and the small HOA was slow to answer the title company.
Seller's concern: A fair price without restarting the sale.
What we did: Countered both buyers to keep competition alive, weighed the roof quote (lower than expected) against an earlier $2,500 price increase, and worked through the seller to get HOA details to title.
Result: The seller approved a $5,000 price reduction to $247,500 to finish the deal.

11. Termites, a roof leak and a closing date that had to hold

Woodland Heights area (77009) · 2016 home · Seller

Problem: Inspection found active subterranean termites, drywood termite wings, roof leaks from a poorly sealed earlier repair, crawlspace insulation pulled down by animals and a small leak under the main tub.
Seller's concern: Trips were coming up, the seller did not want to manage contractors, and the closing date had to hold.
What we did: Priced each item with our own termite, roof and insulation contacts and waited for the buyer's written request instead of bidding against ourselves. We negotiated within a range the seller pre-approved, with any credit tied to extra earnest money, and showed that termite wings are common in Heights homes and don't prove an active infestation.
Result: The seller raised the offer in good faith to keep the original closing date.

12. An appraisal $3,500 short, with a buyer who still had a home to sell

Near Northside (77009) · 2018 home · Seller

Problem: The home appraised at $421,500 against a $425,000 price. The buyer still had a home to sell and needed a $10,000 credit.
Sellers' concern: Protecting their net without waiting indefinitely.
What we did: Gave the sellers two clear paths: wait for the buyer's sale and keep a $415,000 net, or let the buyer close sooner on family gift funds at $3,500 less.
Result: The sellers matched the appraised price and closed in early December 2024.

13. Appraisal repairs before closing

Cypress (77429) · single-family home · Buyer

Problem: The lender's appraiser required flooring work before the loan could close.
Buyer's concern: Losing the closing date and the loan approval.
What we did: Coordinated with the seller to finish the floors, got the lender to schedule the re-inspection right away, and arranged the key handoff around separate signings.
Result: The re-inspection cleared and our buyer closed.

14. Helping an appraiser see the updates on a 1978 home

Atascocita/Humble (77346) · 1978 home · Seller

Problem: The appraiser needed documented updates to value an older home fairly.
Concern: A low value would delay closing, and the buyers hoped to move in before Easter.
What we did: Sent a dated list of improvements (2025 paint and carpet, 2021 HVAC, 2022 kitchen, bath and flooring, 2015 roof) and set up an early-occupancy lease.

15. $22,000 in seller credits for our buyers

Montrose (77006) · single-family home · Buyer

Problem: Our buyers negotiated $17,000 in additional seller credits on top of the $5,000 first agreed.
Buyers' concern: Using all $22,000 without losing any to lender limits.
What we did: Worked with the lender to apply the extra credit to discount points that lowered the interest rate.

16. An estate sale on acreage after a failed listing

Richmond (77406) · family estate on acreage · Seller · Closed August 2026

Problem: The property had not sold with a previous agent. The buyer was very demanding and contacted contractors without permission, the title commitment ran late because of the estate, and the existing survey had been done without one.
Family's concern: Closing out the estate without surprises such as an easement or pipeline under the land.
What we did: Assembled records on the roof, HVAC and foundation work, kept the buyer moving through the contingency period, and checked the title commitment against the survey.
Result: Contingencies cleared, the title commitment came back clean, and the sale closed in August 2026. More estate sales are on our inherited and estate homes page.

Owners abroad, renovations, investors and past clients

17. Competing for a home with a free leaseback

Greater Houston · single-family home · Buyer

Problem: Our self-employed buyer faced a competing offer and an 8 p.m. deadline.
Buyer's concern: Overpaying versus losing the home.
What we did: Worked with the buyer's lender on income documentation and advised offering full asking price plus a free leaseback to the seller until November.

18. Selling for an owner abroad with a power of attorney

Energy Corridor (77077) · 1990 home · Seller

Problem: The owner lives abroad, and a niece is managing the sale.
Family's concern: Making sure the power of attorney is accepted at closing.
What we did: Had the title company review and approve the power of attorney before any offer, confirmed the original document, and planned remote signing. The family had already sold one home with us.
Result: Listed with a 3D tour within days.

19. A renovation-opportunity sale with construction financing

Spring Branch (77055) · 1956 home · Seller

Problem: The home sold as a remodeling opportunity, and the buyer's construction loan, which involved both a builder and a bank, kept pushing closing.
Seller's concern: Repeated delays.
What we did: Negotiated closing amendments and pressed the lender and builder for written progress updates.

20. Out-of-state sellers and electrical findings

Third Ward (77004) · 2022 home · Seller

Problem: After a revised $515,000 offer with a $4,300 credit, the buyer's inspection found electrical issues.
Sellers' concern: They no longer live in Houston and can't manage repairs.
What we did: Requested the full report and repair quotes and asked the buyer to consider a credit instead of repairs.

21. A wave of investor offers on homes that need work

South Houston (77033) and Aldine area (77039) · homes needing major repairs · Seller

Problem: Homes needing major work drew many cash offers, some far apart for the same house.
Sellers' concern: Choosing a buyer who will actually close at a fair price.
What we did: Compared offers on price, proof of funds, closing timeline and who pays closing costs, and asked investors to explain the repair scope behind low offers.

22. Advising a builder on a $3.59 million new home

West University Place (77005) · new construction · Builder/Seller

Problem: Some finishes risked looking dated next to competing new homes.
Builder's concern: Top price without sitting on the market.
What we did: Reviewed competing listings and sent specific selection recommendations and a property analysis before launch, then scheduled open houses.

23. A new-construction purchase held up by missing appliances

Greater Houston · new construction · Buyer

Problem: The builder hadn't installed the appliances, so the lender couldn't order the appraisal.
Buyer's concern: The rate lock and the closing date.
What we did: Kept the builder and lender on one timeline so the appraisal was ordered as soon as the appliances went in.

24. Property-tax protest help for past clients

Pearland (77581) · single-family home · Past buyers

Problem: Clients we helped buy in 2020 asked what value to argue in their county tax protest.
Clients' concern: Paying tax on an inflated value.
What we did: Pulled three comparable sales from the window the appraisal district reviews (September 2024 to January 2025) and explained how to use them.

Facing a tough inspection, a low appraisal or a sale from out of town? Talk it through with Evan Compean.

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