🐴 A Record-Breaking Kelso Sale, Two Horses & the Kind of Story You Only Find in the PNW

💫 When a real estate deal becomes so much more than just a transaction

Every so often, something happens in real estate that stops me in my tracks — a moment that goes way beyond the numbers on a closing statement.
Sure, sometimes my job is about polished floors, perfect acreage, and negotiating top dollar (and believe me, this home had all of that). But this story? It’s why I do what I do.

It’s also why I’ll never stop gushing about life right here in our little corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Because this wasn’t just any closing.
It was the highest residential sale in both Kelso and Longview this entire year.
A transaction that doesn’t just look good on paper — it sets the bar for future sellers, raises neighborhood comps, and proves our lifestyle here is something truly worth investing in.

But as incredible as that is, it’s not what made this deal unforgettable.

🌲 Meet Simone & Sebastian: the horses who were written into the contract

Let me introduce you to Simone and Sebastian. 🐴
Two nearly 20-year-old souls who’ve spent their entire lives grazing these exact 7 acres in Kelso, under the same towering trees, with sunsets that have always dipped below the same ridge.

When the sellers decided to move to Arizona, they faced a decision no one wants to make. One of the horses has cancer. Both are older, with years of memories tied to this land. Uprooting them — hauling them hundreds of miles to an unfamiliar climate — just didn’t sit right.

So, in one of the most compassionate, small-town-PNW twists I’ve ever had the privilege of facilitating, the buyers agreed (wholeheartedly, I might add) to keep Simone and Sebastian right where they belong.
Yes, that meant the horses were literally written into the purchase agreement — staying with the new owners as part of the property they’d soon call home.

And to me, that’s more than a feel-good story. It’s a testament to how we do things around here. Where neighbors look out for each other. Where buyers see beyond fencing and barns, and recognize the hearts that beat there.

🏡 Why this matters for all of us living here

Aside from being downright heartwarming, there’s something very real and tangible in this story for all of us who live in the PNW. 

Record-breaking sales like this don’t just benefit the people holding the keys on closing day.
They set new high-water marks for our entire community. They lift comparable values, give future sellers more leverage, and confirm what we already know:
that our piece of SW Washington — with its rivers, wineries, pastures, and small-town charm — is worth every penny.

It means if you’ve been quietly wondering what your property might command in today’s market, or what lifestyle upgrades could be possible with your equity, you have every reason to start that conversation.✨ More than homes. It’s about living local — and living well.

So yes, I’ll keep talking about this sale.
Not just because it smashed local records (though that was pretty thrilling), but because it’s a snapshot of what makes our area so special.

It’s buyers who see the beauty in land and legacy.
It’s sellers who make tough, heartfelt decisions.
It’s horses who get to live out their days right where they’ve always felt safe.

It’s real estate done with soul.

🏆 And of course… meet our Pet Feature of the Week: Simone & Sebastian 🐴

How could they not be?

These two aren’t just breathtaking to watch in the pasture — they’re the very heart of this entire story. Simone & Sebastian have spent nearly two decades roaming these exact 7 acres. Keeping them here wasn’t just the right choice; it was a profound act of compassion and respect for the life they’ve always known.

Their family made the selfless decision not to uproot them to Arizona, while the buyers eagerly embraced them as part of the dream. Together, they showed exactly what makes our little corner of the Pacific Northwest so extraordinary: a community that values kindness, legacy, and living local in every sense.

So this week, we’re proud to celebrate these gentle old souls as our Pet Feature winners — a perfect reminder that home is just as much about who shares your land as it is about the land itself.

💌 Want to know what this means for your own home value? Or just hear more stories like this?

Whether you’re quietly curious how a record-breaking sale like this could affect your own neighborhood’s value, or you simply love the behind-the-scenes moments that make real estate so deeply personal — I’d be honored to share.

Let’s grab a coffee (or a riverside glass of local Pinot) and talk about what your next chapter could look like. Because around here, “home” means so much more.

👉 Follow us on our Facebook Group; Subscribe here 📲 upcoming events, and all the good stuff happening in our corner of the world. 📲💻

Curious about real estate....📲 Shoot me a message, give me a call, or schedule a discovery call (see below) and let’s map out your next big milestone. No fluff, just results. 🥂✨

Let’s Chat!

Real estate isn't just my job – it's my passion. I love nothing more than helping people discover their perfect corner of Southwest Washington, Kalama, Ridgefield, Camas (you get the point). Ready to start your own success story? Let's chat! You can reach me at 360.431.5773 or schedele an appointment.

Click here to book a discovery call 🏡💖

"LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE" 

#SWWashington #RealEstate #PNWLiving #LuxuryHomes #WaterfrontLiving

Gena Graham is a leading real estate expert in Southwest Washington, specializing in luxury homes and waterfront properties throughout Kalama, Camas, and Ridgefield. With over 10 years of experience and countless happy clients, she's your guide to finding the perfect home in SW Washington's dynamic market.

Your dream sale is just one conversation away. Let’s make it happen. 💼✨

"Experience the Difference" 

#RealEstate2025 #PNWRealEstate #KalamaHomes #RidgefieldRealEstate #LongviewLiving #CamasLuxuryHomes #SellWithGenaGraham #HomeRealEstate #SouthwestWashingtonRealEstate #DreamBigSellSmart 🏠🌟