For sixteen years, Christy and Darren Ridenhour made a home in a beautiful 1890s house in the heart of Kirkwood. It was the kind of house people rarely leave. But sometimes, life pushes you forward. After their son graduated from college, they started to imagine a new life in a ranch home with single-level living and a pool. Christy and her longtime friend and local Kirkwood Realtor, Lorilee Cummings, decided to see what was out there, knowing that homes were hard to find, prices were high, and sellers had the upper hand. They found a home and offered $105,000 over asking with no appraisal contingency, but still didn’t get the house. Most people might have given up.
Instead, Christy became even more determined. She was so sure she’d be swimming that summer that she hung her bathing suit in the kitchen to make it come true. Then she and Lorilee mapped out every home in the area with a pool. Christy wrote letters, mixing strategy and heart, and sent them to homeowners who hadn’t listed their homes yet. A short time later, the phone rang. It was a rare match—perfect for both the seller and the buyer right down to the smallest detail. The Ridenhours' beloved 1890s home didn’t stay empty for long. Lorilee worked quickly to help another Kirkwood family move in and start their own story in this house Christy brought to life. It’s tempting to call this luck, but Christy and Lorilee know it’s about mindset. It’s about showing up and believing in your goal, even when the market says no. As Christy says goodbye to this house, she is excited to begin styling her new house - although that might have to wait until her backyard pool season is over.