In today’s challenging real estate market, buying a home often means navigating compromises, unexpected roadblocks, and constant uncertainty. However, for Tyler and Alyssa Gordon, their path to homeownership was anything but typical.
In the latest episode of The Pursuit of Home, host Scott Harris sits down with their realtor, Matt Kelly, to uncover how this couple made their dream a reality by trusting in a creative, collaborative process.
This episode isn’t just about a single home purchase; it’s about rethinking what’s possible when clients, agents, and developers work together with a shared vision, clear communication, and the willingness to do things differently.
The Challenge: Finding the Right Home in the Wrong Market
At the height of a volatile housing market, Tyler and Alyssa had a specific dream in mind. They didn’t need a huge home. What they wanted was land, safety, and space for their growing family. But with rising prices, limited inventory, and a long wish list that included acreage and privacy, their chances of landing the perfect listing were slim.
Enter Matt Kelly, Associate Broker at Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Company, who offered the Gordons an entirely new way forward: let him and a trusted developer buy a property, flip it with their vision in mind, and then sell it back to them.
This unusual arrangement required faith, flexibility, and a high degree of trust. But the result? A 1,000-square-foot house on five acres that checked every box, even ones they didn’t think they’d find.
Building the Big Board: How Matt Matches Clients to One-of-a-Kind Deals
Much of Matt’s success in orchestrating this deal came down to preparation. In the episode, he shares his process for managing what he calls his “big boards,” detailed tracking systems where he organizes client requirements, niche needs, and market insights.
“If you want a three-bed, two-bath for $280,000, I’ll find you one quickly,” Matt explains. “But when it’s something like the Gordons' need of land, acreage, and privacy, you may only see one or two of those opportunities per year.”
Matt’s organized system helped him identify a promising fixer-upper that matched the Gordons’ most important criteria. It wasn’t a move-in-ready property, but it had potential. With the help of his developer partner and a clear plan, Matt began the renovation process, tailored to the Gordons’ vision.
The Power of a Material Spec List
One of Tyler and Alyssa's smartest moves was preparing a detailed materials list before the renovation began. This wasn’t just about picking out tile or paint; it was a full roadmap of finishes, hardware, and layout decisions, created so their home would reflect their taste down to the last detail.
This kind of specificity served two key purposes. First, it eliminated miscommunication between the developer and the eventual homeowners. Second, it allowed Matt to estimate costs accurately and ensure the renovation stayed within the Gordons’ FHA financing limits.
The takeaway here is crucial: even if you’re not the one doing the hammering and drywalling, being involved in the renovation vision and documenting it clearly gives buyers far more control over the final product.
Creative Financing: Working Around the FHA 90-Day Rule
Another major hurdle was financing. The Gordons needed to use an FHA loan, which came with its own set of restrictions, including the 90-day rule, which prevents a buyer from getting an FHA-backed mortgage until 90 days after a property has been purchased.
That meant Matt couldn’t write a contract with the Gordons right away. They had to wait, trust that everything would proceed as agreed, and lean heavily on their relationship with him and the developer.
This kind of deal structure isn’t for the faint of heart, but it worked because everyone involved had a clear understanding of the rules, a shared sense of purpose, and trust built over time. It also highlights how vital it is to work with agents and partners who understand not just the emotional needs of their clients but also the technical aspects of finance, regulation, and renovation.
Home is More Than Square Footage
One of the most moving parts of the episode comes when the Gordons reflect on what their new home means to them. For Alyssa, it’s about safety and comfort, something she hadn’t felt in over a decade of moving from house to house. For Tyler, it’s about the land: space to grow food, raise children safely, and live harmoniously with nature.
“Of all the homes we’ve lived in, this one just feels… safe,” Alyssa says.
That simple word, safe, carries so much weight. It’s not about granite countertops or an open floor plan. It’s about a home that aligns with your values and meets your most essential needs.
And that’s the real takeaway from this episode: sometimes, the perfect home isn’t the biggest or the fanciest. It’s the one that gives you peace, room to grow, and the sense that you’ve finally arrived.
Why This Story Matters
In a world where so much of the home-buying process has become transactional, click a listing, make an offer, and hope it works out. That’s why the Gordons and Matt Kelly story is a refreshing reminder of what’s possible when trust, expertise, and collaboration come together.
It shows that with the right strategy, even families with specific needs and financing constraints can find a path to homeownership. It also highlights why having a skilled agent isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, especially when the road to your dream home requires navigating regulations, renovations, and creative deal structures.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Pursuit of Home with Matt Kelly with the links below:
🎵 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/454dWzG
🎵 Spotify: https://bit.ly/4kNBkY5
▶️ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TScXxq
📘 Scott Harris’s new book, The Pursuit of Home, is now available for pre-order. Get your copy here: https://bit.ly/thepursuitofhomebook
