We’re excited to invite you to a special day of community, celebration, and connection at the Edward L. Cooper Harvest Festival! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 32-34 Linwood Street, Roxbury, MA 02119. What to Expect: The Harvest Festival offers something for everyone. Enjoy delicious food, family-friendly activities, and informative sessions that highlight our community’s commitment to growth and sustainability. Take a garden tour and discover the beauty of our community spaces, including the Teddy Pomare Rose Garden and the Alan Crite Garden. This event celebrates our mission to uplift the community through environmental education and empowerment. We’ll be honoring the legacy of those who paved the way and sowing seeds of hope for the future. Thanks to a generous grant from GrowBoston, we’re ready to make this event unforgettable! Why You Should Attend: At the Edward L. Cooper Community Gardening & Education Center, we aim to be a sanctuary for environmental learning and community development. This festival is an opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for environmental sustainability and community growth. You’ll have the chance to learn more about our programs, tour the gardens, and see firsthand how we’re making a difference in Roxbury. Whether you’re a longtime community member or a newcomer, we welcome you to join us as we celebrate the season and our shared vision for a vibrant, sustainable community. Get Involved: For more information, visit our website at www.edcoopergardening.com or contact us at coopergardening@gmail.com . Follow us on Instagram @edcoopergardening for updates. We hope to see you there to help us harvest hope and nurture our community! 🌱

Navigating today’s real estate market can be tricky, especially for first-time buyers. Recently, we worked with our client, Ricky, who not only secured their dream 1st purchase, but also gained over $47,000 in value by closing day, thanks to our strategic approach and experience. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we made it happen.  The Challenge: A Competitive Market and Multiple Offers Our buyer fell in love with a 3-bedroom, 1-bath home in Stoughton, listed at $539,900. Right now, this price range in Stoughton is on fire. As rates have dropped, we have seen the buyer pool grow. With several offers on the table, we knew we had to act fast and strategically. In competitive situations, it’s essential to know when and how to go above asking to make the winning offer, while also retaining as much negotiating power as possible. Some situations have more leverage than others. Navigating Inspection & Negotiations After we secured the home, the inspection revealed several issues that needed to be addressed. This is often a critical moment: in a competitive market, negotiating after the inspection can sometimes mean risking the deal altogether. When other interest is out there, a request to adjust the contract can leave the door open to the sellers moving on. However, with a deep understanding of market context and how repairs impact negotiations, we were confident we could turn this into an advantage. We discussed options with our buyer and decided that a reduction in the sale price, along with a credit back to cover closing costs, would provide the best path forward. By negotiating a $16k+ credit for closing costs, we effectively reduced our buyer’s immediate expenses and made sure they felt confident moving forward with the purchase. Surpassing Expectations with the Appraisal It’s common for buyers to worry they’re overpaying, especially in a market where bidding wars drive up prices. But as we always say, a home is ultimately worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. And this time, the market was in our favor. Before closing, the appraisal came in, and it was another indicator that our confidence in the overall value of the home was correct. The home was valued $31k+ above the final negotiated sale price, which meant our buyer’s investment was already showing equity returns. Between the credit and the appraisal, they gained overf $47k in value the day they closed. Why Representation Matters More Than Ever Recent rule changes mean that buyer agents are now required to sign exclusive contracts, which raises the stakes for agents to demonstrate their value. Our role isn’t just about finding homes, but also about ensuring our clients make sound investments that will serve them in the long run. In this transaction, we provided almost 5x the value compared to the fee charged, a return that shows the importance of having an experienced and skilled buyer’s agent on your side. In a market where expertise and negotiation skills can make all the difference, it’s essential to have someone in your corner who understands how to maximize value. That’s what we do at Lindsey & Associates, and it’s what we’re proud to deliver to each of our clients. Thinking About Buying? If you’re considering purchasing a home, now is a great time to have a conversation about what you’re looking for and how we can make it happen. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, our team is here to ensure you’re not only getting the home you want but also the value you deserve. Rates have changed and you may be surprised what impact that has had. Feel free to reach out to us at 617-288-1042 to discuss your goals. We look forward to helping you make the most of your real estate journey. Thank you for being part of our community, and as always, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Warm regards, Lindsey & Associates Realty