Trying to move back to Utah in this housing market has been a total nightmare. Crazy prices, zero inventory, ferocious competition.

My realtor was literally going around and knocking on doors in the neighborhoods that we wanted to look at. He was sending out thousands of flyers by mail to any eligible home in the region asking for interest. Anyway, he ended up hearing back on one of these flyers. An old couple that lived in their home for over 50 years wanted to sell and wanted to sell fast without any of the stress of listing the home. They wanted to conditions, no repairs, cash early, and they wanted someone to beat another offer. We bought the home for a price that I believe is under market value in the exact location we wanted with no bidding war (haven’t technically closed yet). It’s going to require significant renovation, but I think it's a great deal and an awesome property. So props to my realtor.

I can honestly say we wouldn’t have a home right now without him.

Note: I edited this post. In retrospect, I didn't like some of the verbiage I used and I don't think it accurately described the situation. I do think we got the house for a price that is under what it would have gone for if it listed, but I have no way of proving that. This wasn't an elderly couple without any help. They had a realtor because they had tried to sell this home before unsuccessfully. The home had been appraised. I think it would have gone for more because every single house that has listed in the last couple of months has gone for more than the list price by substantial amounts.