When Nicole and Chris Devall decided it was time for a new chapter, they faced two major real estate decisions at once. They needed to purchase their next home while also preparing and selling the property they had owned for years.
A friend whose home Josh Stone had previously sold referred them to him. Josh, President of Brokerage Development with Stone Realty Group, helped the couple build a strategy that accounted for both the purchase and sale rather than treating them as separate transactions.
Buying a Skybrook Home Below List and Appraised Value
Nicole and Chris found their next home in Skybrook, a Huntersville-area community north of Charlotte. The property matched what they were looking for, but they also knew it would need updates and repairs after closing.
Josh helped them evaluate those improvements as part of the offer strategy. He ultimately negotiated a purchase price below the original listing price and below the property's appraised value.
An appraisal above the purchase price can be a positive result for a buyer, but it is an opinion of value at a specific point in time and does not guarantee future appreciation or resale value.
Buyers considering this part of the Charlotte metro can explore Stone Realty Group's Huntersville, NC real estate and area guide for current listings and local market information.
Planning Renovations Before the Purchase Was Complete
Because Nicole and Chris already knew they wanted to make changes to the Skybrook property, Josh helped them look beyond the purchase price.
He connected them with local contractors and helped coordinate estimates so they could better understand potential renovation costs and timelines before committing to their plans.
That information gave the couple more context when deciding which improvements were priorities and how much additional money they wanted to invest in the property after closing.
Renovation costs and future resale impact vary by property, project and market conditions. Buyers considering significant updates should evaluate the work based on their own budget and goals rather than assuming every improvement will produce a specific return.
Selling Their Existing Home in a Market With More Competition
While the purchase created an opportunity to negotiate, selling their existing property presented a different challenge.
Several competing homes were available in the neighborhood, which meant Nicole and Chris needed a listing strategy that accounted for buyer options and changing market conditions.
Josh worked with them on pricing, preparation, staging and timing before the property reached the market. Once listed, he kept them informed about buyer activity and adjusted the strategy around the conditions they were seeing.
The home ultimately sold, allowing Nicole and Chris to complete both sides of their move.
Coordinating a Purchase and Sale as One Strategy
Buying and selling at the same time can involve overlapping deadlines for financing, inspections, due diligence, listing preparation, negotiations and closing.
For Nicole and Chris, having one agent involved in both transactions meant those decisions could be considered together. The terms of their purchase could be evaluated alongside the timing and progress of their sale.
“Working with Josh Stone was an excellent experience from start to finish. He was professional, responsive, and genuinely committed to making sure we felt confident every step of the way.”
Nicole
The result was a coordinated move that included a negotiated purchase in Skybrook and the successful sale of their previous home despite increased competition from other listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a new home before selling my current home in Huntersville?
Potentially. The best approach depends on your financing, available funds, current-home equity and contract terms. Some homeowners sell first, while others purchase first or coordinate the two transactions around carefully planned closing dates. Your agent and lender can help determine which options are realistic for your situation.
Can buyers negotiate below asking price in Huntersville?
Yes, depending on the individual property and market conditions. Factors such as condition, time on market, competing inventory and required updates may influence negotiations. Nicole and Chris were able to purchase their Skybrook home below both the listing price and appraised value.
What should I consider when buying a home that needs renovations?
Look beyond the purchase price and estimate the cost, timing and scope of the improvements you plan to make. Contractor estimates, inspections and available cash after closing can all affect whether a property that needs work makes sense for your budget.
More Huntersville & Josh Stone Client Stories
Explore more Stone Realty Group stories about buying around Huntersville and working with Josh Stone in competitive markets:
Planning to Buy and Sell a Home in Huntersville?
If your next move involves purchasing a home while selling your current property, connect with Josh Stone for help coordinating pricing, negotiations, renovations and closing timelines across both sides of the transaction.



