The Secret Garden House
A Sunnyvale home with a hidden second backyard, deferred structural work, and a seller with a plan — relocating for a new construction build. They needed equity, fast. We delivered it.
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Front Exterior
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Front Exterior
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Living Room
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Living Room
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Living Room 2
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Living Room 2
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Kitchen
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Kitchen
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Bedroom
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Bedroom
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Bath 1
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Bath 1
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Bath 2
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Bath 2
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Backyard
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Backyard
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Outdoor Patio
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Outdoor Patio
The Situation: Relocating — Equity Needed for New Construction
The sellers weren't in distress — they had a plan. They were relocating to pursue a new construction build and needed to unlock the equity sitting in their current Sunnyvale home to make it happen. The challenge? The property had structural foundation work that needed engineering sign-off, unpermitted improvements that needed to be legalized, and years of deferred cosmetic work throughout. Listing on the MLS in that condition would have meant months of uncertainty. We made it simple: all-cash, as-is, on their timeline.
About This Project
This property on Bryant Way in Sunnyvale had something most buyers wouldn't notice at first glance: an extra-deep lot with a second hidden backyard — a true secret garden tucked behind the main yard. It's the kind of detail that makes a property genuinely special, but it takes vision to see it through the layers of deferred work that had accumulated over the years.
When we purchased it, the home needed meaningful work on nearly every system and surface. The foundation had structural issues that required a licensed structural engineer. An older patio enclosure had been built without permits and needed to either be demolished and rebuilt to code or legalized through the permitting process. Interior finishes throughout — flooring, paint, cabinetry, fixtures — were dated and worn. And the secret garden itself was untouched and overgrown.
For the sellers, none of that mattered because they didn't have to deal with any of it. They got a fair all-cash offer, a closing timeline that worked with their relocation plans, and the equity they needed to fund their new build. We took it from there.
Scope of Work
This was a full gut-to-finish flip. The scope touched every room in the house and extended into the yard and structural systems:
- Structural foundation work — licensed structural engineering, foundation repairs, permitted sign-off
- Patio legalization / demo & rebuild — demoed the old screened enclosure, rebuilt to code with full permits; transformed into a stunning covered outdoor living space
- All-new windows throughout — every window replaced, new frames, fresh trim
- New flooring throughout — wide-plank LVP across all interior living areas
- Full kitchen remodel — white shaker cabinetry, quartz counters, new appliances, pendant lighting, black hardware
- Both bathrooms remodeled — new tile surround, floating wood vanities, black matte fixtures, fresh mirrors
- Paint throughout — interior & exterior — walls, trim, ceilings, and full cabinet respray
- New fixtures throughout — lighting, ceiling fans, hardware, plumbing fixtures
- Landscaping & new fence — front yard cleared and re-landscaped, new perimeter fence, secret garden backyard opened up
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The Secret Garden
The thing that makes this property memorable isn't any single renovation — it's the backyard. The lot runs unusually deep, and beyond the main yard sits a second private outdoor space that most visitors would never know was there. A mature canopy tree anchors the space, the new covered patio with skylights and a ceiling fan creates a true outdoor living room, and the whole thing feels like a quiet retreat completely separate from the street.
That hidden space was overgrown and inaccessible when we purchased the property. After clearing, landscaping, and building the new permitted covered patio, it became the defining feature of the home — and a real selling point for the eventual buyer.
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If You're Relocating and Need to Unlock Equity Fast
The sellers in this project had a clear goal and a hard constraint: they needed cash from this property to fund their next move, and they couldn't afford to wait out a traditional sale while managing the property from a distance. That's a situation we're built for.
When you're relocating — whether for new construction, a job, or a lifestyle change — the old house becomes a liability the moment you shift your attention to the next chapter. Below are the paths available to you, and when each one makes sense.
Sell As-Is to a Cash Buyer
The cleanest path when you're moving on. No repairs, no showings, no waiting for financing contingencies to clear. You name a close date that fits your relocation timeline, and we handle everything else. This is the option that gives you the most certainty and the fastest access to your equity.
Get a Free Cash Offer from Peachtree Homes →List on the MLS While You Relocate
If time isn't a constraint and the property is in good condition, listing on the MLS can maximize gross sale price. The challenge when relocating is managing the process remotely — showings, inspection negotiations, repair requests, and a closing that may not align with your move date. This path works best when you have a local agent you trust deeply and flexibility in your relocation timeline.
Read: Cash Buyer vs. Realtor — What's the Difference? →Rent It Out and Hold
If your relocation is temporary or you want to preserve the Bay Area asset long-term, renting is worth considering. The challenge: being a landlord from out of state adds complexity, and Bay Area rental regulations require active management. This path makes sense for long-term investors, but rarely for sellers who need equity now to fund a new build.
Read: Tired of Being a Landlord? Here Are Your Options →Talk to Peachtree Homes First
If you're relocating from Sunnyvale, San Jose, or anywhere in Bay Area and need to unlock equity without the hassle of a traditional sale, we're worth a 15-minute conversation. We'll give you an honest number and a clear picture of what the process looks like — zero obligation.
Call (408) 549-7183 — Free Consultation →
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3 Ways to Sell When You're Moving On
Moving for a new construction build — or any relocation — puts time pressure on your home sale. Here's an honest look at the three main paths and what each one actually means for your timeline and net proceeds.
Relocating and need to sell fast?
Whether you're funding a new construction build or just moving on, we make it simple to unlock your equity without the hassle of a traditional sale. Fair cash offer within 24 hours, close on your schedule — anywhere in Bay Area.
Learn How We Help Relocating SellersNeed to Move? We'll Buy Your House.
If you're relocating from Sunnyvale or anywhere in Bay Area and need a clean, fast sale — give us a call or fill out the form. Fair cash offer within 24 hours. Close on your schedule. No repairs required.