The news cameras flashing, the buzz, the excitement in the air — it’s the kind of moment most players would focus on themselves during the NFL draft, but newly drafted wide receiver Matthew Golden? He’s focused on his grandma, Penny. Matthew worked hard in his football career to reach his top form. All the while, his family supported him and did what they had to get by.
A few years before the NFL draft, Matthew’s grandmother lost her house when the family fell on rough times. It’s a sad story that can become a reality for some — medical bills pile up, jobs disappear, and the place where Sunday dinners happened for decades isn’t yours anymore.
When Dreams Become Reality
Fast forward a few years. Matthew lands the job of his dreams. He gets drafted to play as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers. The celebration lasts only for a small bit of time before he’s on the phone with a REMAX real estate agent. Now that Matthew has his big NFL deal in place, he’s ready to get back Penny’s old house. Matthew gets on the phone with Nimesh Patel, a top-tier agent at REMAX Fine Properties in Texas.
When Nimesh arrives at Penny’s old house, it’s not exactly what he imagined — broken and boarded-up windows, overgrown greenery, and not in the best condition. Nimesh, being the rockstar agent he is, decides to hunt down the owner of the current property to see what the deal is. What he heard was not exactly what he, Matthew, or the family wanted to hear.
Pivoting to a New Home
Upon further research, Nimesh found that Penny’s old home had not taken kindly to wear and tear. The current owner was going to use the land for more commercial purposes. Even further than that, the owner said if he were going to sell, the home would be 3 – 4 times more than Matthew’s budget.
Nimesh, being the agent he is, decided to start looking around at similar homes in the area. Matthew was disappointed at first but quickly grew to like the idea of a pivot, mainly because he just wanted what was best for his grandmother.
The Plot Twist Nobody Saw Coming
Not wanting his grandmother to be in on the surprise, Matthew hadn’t told her what was happening yet. Working with Nimesh, they looked at a few houses in the same neighborhood where he grew up with his grandmother. One house would be too small, the other too large, but when Nimesh showed him the last house, Matthew knew it was the one.
“You know, Grandma’s love is just different, I feel like she put in as much work as I did. You know, she sacrificed a lot to put me in this position. So, it’s all I can do, is give back to her,” Golden said. Nimesh and Matthew worked behind the scenes diligently to secure the house for Penny. After a few weeks, Penny’s dream of owning a home again was realized.
Why REMAX Real Estate Agents are the Most Trusted*
Here’s the thing about REMAX real estate agents – they’re not just house hunters. They go above and beyond what a normal agent would do. Despite the property’s condition, Nimesh could have proceeded with the sale to Matthew without raising concerns. Instead, he took the time to understand Matthew and his grandmother’s needs. A REMAX agent handles negotiations like a pro, knows which inspectors to call, and can even connect homeowners with other professionals. Instead of making a not-so-great investment, Nimesh was able to show what a good investment looks like for Matthew’s family.
Sometimes the best way forward isn’t always linear. Matthew learned that the hard way but knew it with expert guidance. The pivot from “getting the old house back” to “creating a new home” wasn’t giving up on the dream but upgrading it. Real estate agents see this all the time. Buyers come in with one vision and end up with something completely different but infinitely better. The trick is working with someone who understands that buying a house isn’t just a transaction, it’s a life decision for you and your family.
Moving Home
Dreams and goals are essential, but flexibility is key. Matthew could have spent way past his budget to resurrect a house that wasn’t worth it. Instead, he trusted his agent’s expertise and gave Grandma something better than her old house. He also gave her a new beginning. That’s what good real estate agents do. They don’t just sell houses; they help people navigate what’s best for them. A good real estate agent knows when to suggest and pivot during a transaction. They also know that homebuyers are the ultimate deciders and that you can only go based on their suggestions. Nimesh didn’t just help Matthew buy a house. He helped him give his grandmother the gift of coming home again. And honestly? That’s worth every Penny.
View the full “Get Golden Home” documentary here.
*Voted most trusted Real Estate Agency brand by American shoppers based on the BrandSpark® American Trust Study, years 2022-2025 and 2019.
