A Hemingway character was asked how he went bankrupt. "Two ways," he replied: "Gradually, then suddenly." That's a fine description of how I sold a house in a buyer's market this summer.

How it happened gradually: I inherited the house in October 2021, fixed it up bit by bit, and finally listed it for sale in June 2025.

How it happened suddenly: The house sold in 18 days.

So how did I manage that? First, some context: The house is in a desirable location on the west side of Fort Worth. Mom bought it when I was a high school sophomore, and she lived alone for decades after I left for college.

Now I live in South Florida. For years, I considered selling my Florida house and moving into the Fort Worth house. I made upgrades and repairs, but ultimately my wife and I decided not to move to

See Full Page