Off-Market, Fully Maximized: How Two Bernal Heights Experts Turned a Family Sale Into a Win-Win

Selling a home off-market in San Francisco sounds easy—no staging, no showings, no MLS. But behind every “simple” sale is strategy. Jennifer Burden and Carren Shagley of Legacy Real Estate recently sold a beloved Bernal Heights family home off-market for over $1.1M ($914.98 per sq ft)—a strong price without the stress of going public.

A smooth outcome… built on strategy, experience, and expert navigation.

Here’s the real story behind the sale.

A Family Home With History — and Complexity

This was a longtime family home filled with memories. The heirs loved the home and neighborhood and wanted a respectful, low-drama process. But with multiple decision-makers, one living on the East Coast, and a house full of belongings, it required coordination, patience, and a thoughtful plan. Going off-market made sense, but only if the right buyers could be found privately.

But there were challenges:

• Multiple heirs needed to align on decisions
• One lived on the East Coast, creating time zone and schedule hurdles
• The home was full of belongings and needed to be cleared and prepped
• The sellers preferred a low-stress, private sale rather than going on the MLS

Why Off-Market Can Be Tricky in San Francisco

Selling off-market in San Francisco isn’t just about having a buyer - it’s about having the right network. Jennifer and Carren have been selling in Bernal Heights for years, and leveraged their deep relationships with local agents and buyers. They quietly matched the home with a motivated buyer, structured terms around the sellers’ preferred schedule, and helped the family prepare the property without expensive repairs or staging.

Just when everything was lined up, the buyer delayed making the deposit—a moment when many deals fall apart. Instead, Jennifer and Carren stepped in, kept communication open, negotiated firmly but calmly, and kept the deal alive. That experience and steady guidance made all the difference.

The Win-Win Result

In the end, the seller avoided renovation and staging costs, closed on a smooth timeline, and achieved a strong price. The buyer secured a well-loved Bernal home with a quicker close that fit their needs. It was a true win-win - without ever hitting the MLS.

The Real Lesson?

There isn’t just one way to sell a home in San Francisco. Off-market, on-market, estate sales, tenant challenges, timing issues -Jennifer and Carren have successfully navigated them all. They don’t just list houses; they design the right strategy for the people and the situation.

Have a unique real estate scenario? Let’s talk. We specialize in turning complex situations into successful outcomes.