Sometimes the best real estate solutions come from simply asking “what if?” This is the story of how we helped buyers secure their dream San Francisco condo months before they were financially ready—through an unconventional agreement that benefited everyone involved.
Yes, but it requires creative timing solutions. In January, I started working with a couple planning to purchase in Fall 2025. They had significant cash reserves but preferred not to liquidate their investments. Their strategy was to sell their Berkeley property first, then use those proceeds to fund their San Francisco purchase.
We began with comprehensive market analysis, examining recent comparable sales, pricing patterns, and inventory trends. This revealed something important: three-bedroom condos on San Francisco’s east side in modern amenity buildings don’t come to market frequently. When the right property appears, waiting might mean losing it.
In March—six months ahead of their planned timeline—we found a three-bedroom unit with unobstructed Embarcadero views and a pool. The couple loved it immediately, but they weren’t ready to liquidate their investment portfolio.
Then came the question that changed everything: “Could we negotiate a really long closing period? Like four months?”
This is where most agents would say it’s impossible. But “nearly impossible” isn’t the same as “impossible.”
Four-month closing periods are extremely rare in San Francisco real estate, but they’re not impossible. Here’s why they’re uncommon:
However, high-rise condo inventory behaves differently than single-family homes. Supply tends to be more stable, and properties can take longer to sell. This particular unit had only been listed briefly—what if the right offer at the right price with guaranteed closing was more valuable to the sellers than speed?
I contacted the listing agent with what I openly acknowledged was “probably crazy.” The response surprised us: the sellers were working on a project that didn’t require the sale proceeds until fall. Our “crazy” idea suddenly became “creative problem-solving.”
We structured an option to purchase agreement—something I’d never done before in my practice. The buyers received a two-month window (August through October) to complete the purchase once they had their Berkeley home sale proceeds. In exchange, they wired a fixed sum directly to the sellers in April, demonstrating serious commitment to close within that specified future window—four to six months away.
An option to purchase agreement gives a buyer the right to purchase a property within a specified timeframe while the seller agrees not to sell to anyone else during that period. The buyer pays a fee (which may or may not apply to the purchase price) for this exclusive right.
In our case, this structure gave both parties exactly what they needed:
This approach works when both parties have flexibility around timing and when the property type allows for a longer market timeline.
Several factors came together to make this unconventional transaction successful:
Market Knowledge: Understanding high-rise inventory patterns helped us identify when an extended closing might be feasible rather than impossible. Buildings with consistent supply often provide more flexibility than competitive single-family home markets.
Clear Communication: Being upfront about the unconventional nature of the request while presenting it professionally made the conversation possible. Framing it as “probably crazy but worth exploring” opened the door.
Listening to Actual Needs: Instead of focusing on what each party initially requested, we dug deeper to understand what they truly needed to accomplish. The sellers didn’t need cash immediately—they needed it in fall.
Willingness to Innovate: Both the buyers and sellers were open to creative structures when the traditional approach didn’t fit their circumstances.
Creative closing timelines make sense when:
These solutions require comprehensive market knowledge so you can make bold decisions with confidence. Understanding what properties come to market, how often, and at what price points helps you recognize when taking an unconventional approach is worth the effort.
Whether you’re facing timing issues, financing challenges, or unique circumstances that don’t fit conventional real estate approaches, you need an agent who sees possibilities rather than roadblocks.
Look for someone who:
If you’re dealing with a tricky real estate situation in San Francisco—whether it involves timing, financing, or other complexities let’s talk. I genuinely enjoy solving these puzzles.
“We worked with Lauren Neuschel, who is absolutely fantastic. She’s extremely clear and well-organized, and took great care to make sure that we were very well-informed going into the process, which made our decision-making a lot easier. During our transaction, she was on top of everyone’s details (our obligations, the seller, seller’s agent, the building management, escrow agent, various vendors, etc). Absolutely nothing slipped through the cracks. I highly recommend Lauren and her team.”
Eric R., San Francisco homebuyer
