Homeowner Accepts Lowest Offer In Hot Market To Help Newly Divorced Mom
A homeowner in London, Ontario left at least $50,000 on the table when he heard the buyers' touching story.
Buyer needed a home close to her kids
Despite the pandemic, Canada's real estate market is scorching hot. Month after month, it's setting new records, especially in Ontario cities like Toronto and its suburbs, Ottawa, and London, where Juliana Aguero was hoping to buy.
She'd just separated from her husband and wanted to live close to her two kids, but she kept getting outbid.
"Every time, I lost the offer for $100,000 or something like that. It was crazy," Aguero, who made about 10 offers on homes within a span of three months, told CBC.
The perfect condo
Aguero, who moved to Canada from Colombia 11 years ago, eventually found what seemed to be the perfect home close to her ex-husband. It was a three-bedroom condo listed for $330,000 — about $20,000 less than others in the building.
Aguero offered $375,000 — well over the asking price, but due to her history getting outbid she couldn't get her hopes up too high.
Paying it forward
The seller, a London-based therapist with three children, named Damian Devonish was also a recent immigrant. He arrived in Canada from Barbados eight years ago and when he arrived he recalls how people helped him.
"I really didn't have a lot of money when I came to Canada," he said. "I was having difficulty getting a job because I needed a vehicle."
Devonish found a car for sale and recalled how the seller sold it to him for $500 less than asking, in addition to throwing in a set of winter tires.
Now, he believes in paying it forward. "We don't know how life will treat us 10, 15, 20 years from now. So the best thing to do is to live it well today."
Selling to the lowest bidder
When Devonish saw Aguero's offer, he knew what he had to do.
"When my realtor came, she actually started with Juliana's offer," he told CBC. "[She] said, 'This is a really touching story. I know your heart and I know that you will want to give it to her.'"
Aguero's offer came with a letter from her realtor, explaining why she needed this condo to be close to her kids.
As Devonish's realtor expected, he was indeed touched, and accepted Aguero's offer, despite receiving others that were $50,000 more.
"I just feel so blessed," Aguero, who can move into the home on May 6, told CBC. "I've cried. I cannot believe there are people like Damian," she said.
During an interview on a CBC radio show, Aguero spoke directly to Devonish: "I'm absolutely sure you will receive many, many blessings in different ways. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Humanity in homeownership
In something like a hot real estate market, it can be easy to get greedy — if you aren't, the next person will be.
But real estate isn't just an investment, it's about a home, and homes have people living in them. Thankfully, this seller realized the humanity in this buyer's need for homeownership and decided to help her, as he'd once been helped.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.