Canada Father Accepts Lowest Offer On Condo Amid Market Boom As A Way Of Paying It Forward

Sometimes paths cross in life for the sole purpose of changing the lives of those involved.  It’s no secret the housing market has changed during the pandemic.  Sellers used to hope to get close to their asking price but today are receiving multiple offers well above their asking price.  One Ontario father of three decided to sell his condo to the lowest bidder as a way of paying it forward.  When he listed his condo in London, Ontario for $20,000 less than others in the area, he, of course, received multiple offers above the asking price. 

Juliana Aguero was having a tough time buying a house after she separated from her husband.  “Every time, I lost the offer for $100,000 or something like that. It was crazy,” said Aguero, who made about 10 offers on homes within a span of three months.  When Aguero found a three-bedroom condo listed for $330,000, far less than other units in the same building, she offered $375,000.  Unbeknownst to her, Aguero’s realtor had included a letter with her offer, detailing her client’s backstory.  Aguero, who moved to Canada from Colombia 11 years ago, has two children with her ex-husband. The couple decided they wanted to live in the same neighborhood and raise their children together.

“When my realtor came, she actually started with Juliana’s offer,” said Damian Devonish, a London-based therapist with three children. “She said, ‘This is a really touching story. I know your heart and I know that you will want to give it to her.”  Devonish, also an immigrant, arrived in Canada eight years ago from Barbados and believes strongly 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.”  “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 finally found a car and remembers how the seller agreed to take $500 less for it, and he also threw in a set of winter tires.  And that’s why when Devonish reviewed all of the offers on his condo, and Aguero’s was the lowest by about $50,000, he still accepted it.

Aguero takes possession of the home in May in a market where homes are now listing at $600,000.  “I just feel so blessed, I’ve cried. I cannot believe there are people like Damian.”  During an interview with news outlets, 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.”