“As a 23-year-old teacher, Colleen was ready to buy a home. But as a first time buyer, she needed someone she could trust.”

MUNCIE, INDIANA — Being a 20-something, first-time homebuyer can be scary. In 2024, I knew that I was ready and that home buying would be a good financial decision. My roommate was getting married and I had finally landed my first full-time job as a teacher. 

Home buying was new to me. This could either be great, or mess me up financially for a long time. Having a real estate agent I could trust was important. 

My roommate recommended Austin Rich with NextHome Elite Real Estate. After her recommendation, more came flooding in. Austin had made a good impression with a lot of people in my circle of friends.

Austin was exactly what I needed. He was patient and made the complicated process much more manageable. We saw a few houses at a time, and after visiting a couple of options, I started to get a clearer sense of what I wanted.

I knew I wanted to stay in the area, close to my church community and friends in Muncie, while still teaching in Anderson. 

Eventually, we came across a house that I fell in love with. It had the perfect layout. I wanted a home where I could have roommates and pay forward the hospitality I received as a college student who rented from others. This house had plenty of space. It also had a big backyard, perfect for hosting my friends with dogs. The house also had a shed in the back that I envisioned turning into a play area for kids. On the surface, this house was perfect.

That’s why my heart sank after the inspection. The house had serious termite damage and structural issues. My dad, who has a lot of construction experience, joined me for the inspection and quickly agreed with the inspector—it was a no-go. I was disheartened, but I appreciated Austin helping me through the complicated process of pulling out of the deal and getting my deposit back.

I was disappointed and didn’t know if I would ever find something as perfect as that house. 

This is the part of the story where having a REALTOR® I trusted made all the difference. 

Austin suggested I look at a house that he was about to list. From the pictures, I didn’t like it. It didn’t even have a garage, which had been on my wish list. Austin asked me to take a look anyway and, to my surprise, I liked it. 

When I walked in I saw a bi-level home with about 1,800 square feet of comfortable living space. The upstairs was bright and open, with a living room that’s connected to the kitchen. The living room has huge windows, perfect for relaxing with a book in the morning. On the main level, there are three bedrooms and one full bathroom. Downstairs, there’s another living room, complete with its own bathroom and another bedroom. 

I could envision myself living here. When I walked in, I saw my home. 

I decided to put in an offer. Everything moved quickly. My offer was accepted, even though there had been multiple offers within hours of the house going on the market. There had been six scheduled showings, but the sellers still chose me. 

I still honestly don’t know how I got this house when it was in such high demand. It felt like such a blessing that I was the one who got it.

Now, I’ve settled in. I’ve got roommates moving in, my kitchen is organized the way I like it, and the big windows in the living room let in the perfect amount of light. I’m grateful for the journey that led me here, even with its ups and downs. It’s surreal sometimes to think that I own this house.

After going through this process, the most important piece of advice I have would be to find a REALTOR® who you trust and to not be afraid to say no to someone who you don’t have a good feeling about. It’s okay to say no.

The agents are the ones who connect all the pieces—mortgage companies, title companies, inspectors, etc. There’s a group of people who must work together to get the deal done, and having them all collaborate effectively is crucial. Without a real estate agent who has established connections and a trusted network, the responsibility falls more on you to make many of those decisions, conduct the research, and make the necessary phone calls.

Having the right real estate agent makes all the difference in the world. I am so glad that I chose Austin. 

I am so blessed with the opportunity to invest in something like this knowing it will benefit me and my future family!