One of the best parts of being a Realtor is getting to the closing table and seeing everything come together. But some transactions mean a little more than others.

Recently, my client Cierra and her family left me an incredible 5-star Google review:

“Working with Daryl was an absolute pleasure from start to finish! He made what could have been a stressful process feel entirely seamless and easy. Daryl is the perfect blend of friendly and professional—always incredibly responsive, patient, and quick to answer any questions we had along the way. Beyond his expertise, his local vendor and contractor recommendations were spot-on and saved us so much time. If you’re looking for a dedicated, trustworthy realtor who truly advocates for his clients, look no further than Daryl Hanna! You’ll get more than just a realtor, you’ll gain a friend too!”

Reading those words meant a lot to me—not just because it was a great review, but because I know the story behind it.

This One Wasn’t Easy

When I first started working with Cierra and her family, they had a very specific goal: sell their current home and move into a brand-new home that they could build from scratch.

Before we even put their existing home on the market, we went out looking and found the perfect opportunity.

And when I say from scratch, the home we found the builder had poured the foundation only!

They selected their options with the builder and began the process of watching their new home become a reality. The purchase was contingent upon selling their existing home.

At the time we originally put everything together (well over a year ago), the Las Vegas real estate market looked different than it would by the time their new home was nearing completion.

And that’s when things got difficult.

The Clock Was Ticking

Their new home was getting closer and closer to completion, but we still needed to get their existing home sold.

We had a deadline.

We had a builder waiting.

We had an earnest money deposit at risk.

And we had a real estate market that had become much more challenging for sellers.

There were moments when the stress became very real. More than once, Cierra and her family considered giving up on the new home altogether. At one point, we even discussed the possibility of walking away from their earnest money deposit and simply staying where they were.

But I believed we could get it done.

So we kept going.

I held open houses week after week. We continued promoting the property, adjusting our strategy and doing everything possible to get the right buyer through the door. My client even used his Tesla as a moving sign company and would drive around with an open house sign/arrow strapped to the top of his car to lure prospects into the home. It was truly amazing stuff!

My job during a transaction like this isn’t just to put a home in the MLS and hope somebody buys it.

My job is to keep the train on the tracks.

And We Got It Done

We found the buyer.

We sold their existing home.

We met the timeline.

And Cierra and her family were able to close on the beautiful new home they had watched being built from a dirt lot.

That’s the part of real estate that people don’t always see.

When everything goes smoothly, being a Realtor can look easy. It’s when things don’t go according to plan that experience, communication, persistence and relationships really matter.

Sometimes clients need market knowledge.

Sometimes they need aggressive marketing.

Sometimes they need negotiation.

And sometimes they need someone who will simply keep fighting for the outcome they wanted in the first place—even during the moments when they’re ready to give up.

The Best Part Came After Closing

There’s another line in Cierra’s review that really stuck with me:

“You’ll get more than just a realtor, you’ll gain a friend too!”

That feeling goes both ways.

We started this journey as Realtor and clients. We finished it as friends.

After more than two decades selling real estate in Las Vegas, that’s still one of my favorite things about this business.

Homes will come and go. Markets will change. Transactions will close.

But the relationships you build along the way are what you remember.

Cierra, thank you for trusting me with such an important move—and thank you for the incredible review.

I’m grateful we kept that train on the tracks. 😊

Thinking About Selling Your Home and Buying Another?

If you own a home in Las Vegas but need to sell it before purchasing your next home, the timing and structure of the two transactions can be extremely important.

Whether you’re considering a resale home, new construction or building from the ground up, I’d be happy to help you put together a strategy for selling your current home and getting you into the next one.

Daryl Hanna
Las Vegas Realtor® | Broker-Salesperson
The Batchelor/Hanna Group

702-218-4585

Born and raised in Las Vegas. Helping people navigate Las Vegas real estate for more than two decades.