March 13, 2020. It already had a dark cloud hanging over it. Yes, it was a Friday. But it would also be a day that would change the way our company does business forever. While the State of Ohio was about to issue stay at home orders to all residents, a couple in Raleigh North Carolina had just made the decision to relocate to the buckeye state.Months earlier, their first child had been born and shortly after was diagnosed with RSV. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common and very contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract of most children before their second birthday. For most babies and young children, the infection causes nothing more than a cold. But for a small percentage, infection with RSV can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening problems such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways of the lungs.
For Kayla and Taylor Woitkowski, the realization that nothing would replace the comfort of having family close by to help care for their child hit hard and swift. After exploring and ultimately getting approval from their employers that the couple could work remotely from home, the decision was made to move to Ohio to be close to Kayla’s family who resides near Medina, Ohio. Years earlier, they had purchased their first new home and knew immediately that they would want something new again that would be an easy transition with many of the features they desired as well as a great floor plan that would accommodate their family needs.
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We began our search for the right home and within one week, the virus sent everything into a tailspin,” explains Kayla; however, our mission to relocate was so strong that we forged ahead with our search despite what was happening.” The couple scoured websites and builder’s floor plans and prepared to list their current home for sale knowing that they were on a restricted time frame. Right about then, the stay at home orders began and they knew that they would be entering a new way of touring properties via virtual tours. “While we were not opposed to consider building from the ground up, we were really hoping to find a builders spec or model that would allow us to make a quick move,” says Kayla. With that, they began to narrow down locations, builders and designs that appealed to them, knowing that if they were to find something, having family nearby to tour the home in person put their minds at ease. “We looked at so many new homes but in the end, we found the perfect one without physically seeing or touching it ourselves,” said Kayla and in the end, we chose our new home because it was the most desirable floor plan and we really loved the attention to exterior architectural details that gave the home it’s unique curb appeal. “In addition, we wanted a certain placement to the rooms that made the most sense to our family and the Petros Home had it all.” Located in the Love Farm community in Strongsville, the location was perfect and we loved how big the lot was which offered room to play for our daughter along with precious privacy that was lacking in other communities that we considered.
After the Woitkowski’s knew they had found the perfect home four states away, they proceeded to make plans for the purchase. “I can’t say enough about how great everyone at Petros Homes has been throughout this entire virtual process.” “Our sales agent, Emily, took so much time to send photos, face time with us and listen to our requests that were responded to in a professional and timely manner. The family wanted to make some changes to the already completed home and found Petros Homes to be more than accommodating. Finishing the lower level and adding space to accommodate a backyard entertainment area made our perfect home even better, said Kayla”, and once we realized it could be done in time to enjoy it this summer, the company agreed to install additional landscaping that would offer privacy and screening to achieve maximum enjoyment.
Wrapping up the details on their new home purchase was complete. The only thing left to do was sell their existing home back in Raleigh, NC. Again, Petros Homeswas more than accommodating, allowing the couple to purchase with a contingency clause which is not something usually offered when purchasing new construction. Kayla was quick to point out that the flexibility offered by Petros Homes relieved so much anxiety in what was an already anxiety-driven time due to the pandemic. Luckily, their home sold in 6 hours and besides the usual inspection contingencies, it would close in a timely fashion and allow them to make the move to Ohio right on schedule. Of course, they experienced a few hiccups near the end with timing directly related to Covid 19 as real estate related companies were working on limited schedules but were excited to learn that much of the final document signing would be done electronically via a virtual closing. Even the closing on their existing home was done practicing social distancing in the title companies parking lot.
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Surely, it will be a year to remember,” says Kayla. “But my husband and I are just so pleased with the whole “virtual” process and were extremely impressed with the entire Petros Homes team and how they handled our purchase.” ”We have been in our new home for a few weeks now and are so delighted with everything and truly love it.” “It’s hard to believe what we accomplished without being physically present in such a short and difficult time in our nations history”. “Being close to family who can help with our daughter and working with a builder who went above and beyond to make it happen has truly been a blessing to our family and we are forever grateful.
