When Nothing Goes to Plan!

What happens when absolutely nothing goes to plan?

You find out how strong your processes, systems, and support network really are.

Two weeks ago, I was out and about at Saturday open homes doing my thing, feeling good, and working on the proviso that I was just a week away from my baby’s due date. I’d already flagged some planned time off with each of my clients, so I felt organised and confident.

I had one deal in due diligence and another mid-negotiation. Two others still in active sourcing phase. Everything was running smoothly.

Saturday night, my husband and I went out for a lovely dinner to soak up one last quiet weekend before the chaos of new parenthood. We reflected on what had already been such a big year and felt ready for what was next.

Then by 5am Sunday, everything flipped. I was in the hospital emergency room with what turned out to be viral meningitis completely unrelated to the pregnancy but seriously compounded by my lowered immune system.

Safe to say, my plan for one final tidy-up week before the baby arrived was out the window.

Monday mornings in real estate are usually hectic agents chasing updates from the weekend, deals progressing, phones running hot but I could barely open my eyes, let alone manage calls. I prioritised a few urgent texts to agents and clients, then focused on one thing: getting better.

And here’s the thing when you have strong relationships and a rock-solid support team, they carry you when you can’t carry yourself. My incredible assistant, Sheena, kept everything running seamlessly behind the scenes. My clients, colleagues, and agents were patient and understanding. It’s a reminder that people really do make all the difference.

By the end of the week, I was told to rest up the plan was for the baby to arrive Monday. But, true to the theme of the week, plans changed again.

At 4am the following day, our little boy decided it was his time. Through what can only be described as a fairly hectic birth experience, we welcomed Billy Bruce into the world.

After a few days of intensive medical care, he was thankfully given the all-clear healthy and well.

I came home from hospital still battling some lingering effects from meningitis (I describe myself as a bit like a narcoleptic dog on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0h2nleWTwI) , one minute I’m up, the next I’m asleep mid-sentence). But I couldn’t be more thankful for everything and everyone that’s kept my business steady these past two weeks.

At the heart of it all, it comes down to people Sheena, my husband, my industry colleagues and agents, and of course, my incredible clients.

It absolutely hasn’t gone to plan, but somehow, it’s all worked out.

And, in a small victory that really sums it up  the deal I was negotiating when I fell ill officially exchanged on Friday afternoon. A great result for my client, and a reminder that even in chaos, great things can still happen.

And I’ve realised that while this had a business impact for me  this kind of thing happens to everyday buyers too. You have a plan for timing your purchase and then, whack  life hits you.

I get it (trust me!). I always say to clients that from day one, we’re a team working together toward the right outcome. If that means you need to pause for a while, that’s absolutely fine. If it means you need to double down and move quickly, we’ll tailor the strategy to suit.

Life happens, and buying a home is stressful enough as it is. The key is to surround yourself with a team who truly understand what’s important to you and know that, even if the plan changes along the way, you’ll still land on the right outcome in the end.