After nearly 20 years in real estate, I still find myself in situations I never could have anticipated — not because of the paperwork or negotiations, but because of the people, emotions, and stories that come with every move. In 2025, I experienced one of the most meaningful moments of my career, and it involved an 18-year-old cat named Lilo.
People often describe me as detail-oriented, responsive, professional, and strategic — and while those qualities are important, I’ve always believed they’re simply the baseline for doing this job properly. What really matters to me is how my clients feel at the end of their journey.
And sometimes that involves going beyond the transaction.
Meeting Lilo
I was meeting with homeowners who were preparing to sell their house and move overseas. We walked through the property, talked through their goals, and discussed how to position the home for the best possible outcome.
That’s when I noticed their cat.
Lilo was 18 years old — confident, calm, and clearly the queen of the house. Because of her age, international travel wasn’t an option. Unfortunately, nobody in their circle was able to take her in, and placing a senior cat through a shelter would have given her almost no chance of adoption. The reality they were facing was heartbreaking. They were preparing to put Lilo down.
I couldn’t accept that.
I told them, “No way, I’ll make sure Lilo is included with the sale of this house.”
From that moment on, I made it my mission to help her — while still ensuring we protected the integrity of the sale and my clients’ plans.
Multiple Offers — and an Emotional Choice
The home went on the market and received strong activity almost immediately. Within a few days, we had three excellent offers. Two of the buyers agreed to adopt Lilo as part of the purchase — something that gave everyone hope. But the sellers felt deeply connected to the third buyer. Their offer wasn’t higher — it was their story that resonated. They had recently lost their own cat and were still grieving, and that emotion struck a chord.
They didn’t initially want to take on Lilo. I went back to them and explained what it would mean to give her a home — not just to my clients, but to them as well. After some thought, they agreed.
It felt like the right decision, and we all believed the story had found its ending.
Then Everything Changed
A week before closing, my clients received a call from their lawyer. The buyers’ lawyer had issued notice that Lilo would not be staying with the property. The timing, stress, and logistics of their relocation left my clients with no way to challenge the decision. They had already sold belongings, booked flights, and finalized their plans.
Heartbroken, they made arrangements to put Lilo down. I was devastated — angry, frustrated, and deeply disappointed. What had felt like a compassionate and meaningful resolution suddenly became a story of broken trust.
A Last-Minute Miracle
A few days later, I received a frantic call from the buyers’ Realtor.
“My clients want the cat — they never changed their minds!”
Their lawyer had acted based on outdated information without consulting them. The buyers had always intended to keep Lilo — and were horrified when they realized what had happened. I immediately contacted my clients. Lilo’s appointment hadn’t happened yet. She was safe. There were tears on every side of the conversation — the buyers, the sellers, their agent, and I’ll admit, me as well. It felt like a miracle at the final hour. And it reminded me why I love what I do.
Why This Story Matters to Me
Of all the real estate experiences I had in 2025, this one stayed with me the most.
Because real estate is rarely just about houses.
It’s about:
the lives connected to them
the memories inside them
the emotions tied to change
and the responsibility we have to guide people through it
Lilo wasn’t just a pet — she was part of a family’s story. And I’m grateful I was there to help protect that.
If You’re Planning a Move
Every real estate journey has layers — excitement, uncertainty, transition, and hope.
I don’t take lightly the trust people place in me when they invite me into that process. If you’re considering buying or selling, I’d be would love the opportunity to guide you with the same care, integrity, and compassion that carried Lilo safely into her next chapter.
Let me help you write yours.
