Moving from one house to another is really two deals, and the order you do them in matters. This family wanted to buy first and sell second. Chatfield is about 25 minutes from Rochester and Mayo Clinic, and Red Wing sits on the Mississippi about an hour north.
That meant finding the right home, even one that wasn't listed with an agent, and then finding the right buyer for their Red Wing house. Here's how both halves came together.
The short version: I represented a family as buyers starting January 1, 2026. They bought a for-sale-by-owner home in Chatfield that closed April 30, 2026. Then we listed their Red Wing ranch on May 3. A buyer signed on August 14, and it closed September 15, 2026.
Key takeaways
- You can use a broker to buy a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) home. The paperwork, disclosures and closing still need to be done right.
- Buying first, then selling, gives a family one move instead of two.
- In residential sales, the best buyer is often someone a lot like the seller.
- Steady marketing and patience found the right match for the Red Wing house.
The two moves at a glance
| Purchase: Chatfield | Sale: Red Wing | |
|---|---|---|
| Property | Single-family home, offered for sale by its owners (FSBO) | Updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch with a finished walkout, about 1,642 finished sq ft on a 0.23-acre lot |
| Started | Buyer representation signed January 1, 2026 | Listing signed May 3, 2026 |
| Under contract | March 2026 | August 14, 2026 |
| Closed | April 30, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| My role | Buyer's agent, with facilitator paperwork for the owner-sellers | Listing agent for the sellers |
Part 1: How do you buy a home that isn't listed?
The search started in January. We looked at homes on and off the market until the right one came along.
The right one turned out to be a Chatfield home the owners were selling themselves. There was no listing agent, so I wrote the purchase agreement, and the owner-sellers signed a facilitator services agreement so I could help move the paperwork on their side without representing them. We handled the required disclosures and the lead-based paint addendum and negotiated the terms, and the sale closed on April 30, 2026.
Pro tip: A FSBO seller may welcome a buyer with an agent. Ask up front how the buyer's agent will be paid, and put it in writing before you write the offer.
Part 2: How did we sell the Red Wing house?
With the new home closed, we listed the Red Wing ranch on May 3, 2026. It's in the Glenview 2nd Addition near Red Wing Middle School, parks and paved trails, and it had plenty to show off:
- A finished walkout lower level with a big family room, a third bedroom and a half bath
- A heated and insulated two-car attached garage
- Upper and lower decks and a privacy-fenced backyard
- Recent updates, including newer kitchen appliances (2019), a new water softener, and basement wall anchors installed by a professional company
Marketing included phone and drone photos, listing videos, and later a set of virtually staged photos.
How did we find the right buyer?
Here's my approach with every residential listing.
"I tell my sellers that about 95% of the time in residential sales, I have to find somebody just like them: the same taste, the same location needs, a lot of the same values and the same lifestyle. I'm really creating a match system between buyers and sellers, kind of like the game Match 'Em."
— Jen Busch
That's exactly how this house sold. We kept showing it to the kind of buyer who would love a walkout ranch near schools, parks and trails. A buyer signed a purchase agreement on August 14, 2026, and the sale closed on September 15.
If you're selling
Think about who will love your home the way you have, and market to them. Keep the house show-ready and give the right buyer time to find it.
If you're buying
Don't skip the homes that aren't on the MLS. FSBO homes can be a great fit, and a buyer's agent can still handle the offer, the disclosures and the closing for you.
The bottom line
This family made two moves feel like one. They bought first, sold second, and found the right buyer for the home they left behind.
Planning a move in southeast Minnesota?
Whether you're buying, selling or doing both, I'd be glad to help you plan the order of steps. Request your free home or land valuation or call or text me at (507) 923-7657. You can also browse our current farm and land listings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying and Selling at the Same Time
Can a real estate agent help me buy a for-sale-by-owner home?
Yes. In this case I represented the buyers, wrote the purchase agreement, and the owner-sellers signed a facilitator services agreement. Get the agent's pay arrangement in writing before making an offer.
Should I buy first or sell first?
It depends on your finances and how much risk you're comfortable with. This family bought first, closed in April, and then listed their old home in May.
Who is the best buyer for my home?
Very often, someone a lot like you. I tell my sellers that about 95% of the time in residential sales, I'm looking for a buyer with the same taste, location needs, values and lifestyle. It's a matching game.
How long did the Red Wing house take to sell?
It was listed May 3, 2026, went under contract on August 14, and closed September 15, 2026.
Are virtually staged photos allowed?
Yes, as long as they're clearly labeled as virtually staged and don't hide or misrepresent the property's condition.
Disclosure: Jen Busch represented the buyers in the Chatfield purchase and the sellers in the Red Wing sale in this 2026 transaction as broker/owner of United Country Real Estate | Midwest Home & Farm Realty. Details come from Jen's transaction records. Client names, street addresses and sale prices are left out for privacy. This case study is general information, not legal or tax advice, and it does not guarantee any result. Every property and sale is different. Equal Housing Opportunity.