Happy Homeowners

In August 2020, amidst a global pandemic and after eight years of waiting, the opportunity finally arrived. As they quickly settled into their high-rise rental, tucked alongside the Boston Harbor in the vibrant and trendy Seaport, they began building their new lives. Boston's rich history and variety of cultural adventures, including the bounty of fresh seafood, the intellectual mood, and Shakespeare on the Common (Christine's all-time favorite), captivated both of their hearts.

In anticipation of their 15-month lease expiring, Christine contacted Morgan about working with the team to understand the home-buying process in Massachusetts. From the onset, she and Keith had their minds set on moving to the Squantum neighborhood in North Quincy: "It felt like the perfect blend of South Shore and the city,” says Christine.

After a couple of months of navigating crowded open houses and rushing to beat out buyers at private showings, they finally had an accepted offer on a seaside cottage in Squantum. After the home inspection report generated significant red flags, the deal fell apart and landed them back at square one. This disappointment was the first setback the Beckers experienced in the harsh climate of the 2021 pandemic market.

Over the next several months, the team continued to submit competitive offers. But as time passed, the Beckers' desires shifted: “We went from being convinced that Quincy would be our next home to feeling a strong pull to Hingham and the surrounding South Shore towns," says Keith. Soon after the shift, they discovered a quaint Cape-style home close to Hingham center. Despite multiple competing offers, the Beckers found themselves in the final negotiations with the seller. However, this deal fell through, yet again, due to structural issues made evident during the open houses.

"It was a major disappointment as we immediately fell in love with the house. To walk away from a deal yet again was almost unbearable. But we continued moving forward, spurred on by the encouragement of the StrobeckAntonell team," says Christine.

Because their rental lease had already expired, the Beckers felt an elevated sense of urgency to find a home. On a snowy weekend in early 2022, a Dutch Gambrel-style home in Scituate caught their attention. For Christine, Scituate initially felt too far from Boston, the only place that had felt like home in Massachusetts. For Keith, the coastal charm and character Scituate offered felt like quintessential New England -- he was intrigued. After quick consideration, the only style of decision-making that the aggressive market ruthlessly permitted, they decided to submit an offer -- which was accepted! After riding the real estate rollercoaster for nine months with multiple submitted (and accepted) offers, they finally unstrapped their safety harness to exit the ride at their final destination: Scituate, Massachusetts.

Scituate has quickly become home to the Beckers. Christine describes her new hometown as "a charming, idyllic town nestled by the sea." "It feels like we're living in a Hallmark movie," says Christine.

One month into calling Scituate home, Christine met Joby, the owner of the local Mullaney's Harborside Fish Market, and through an interview, uncovered his ocean-to-plate approach in a published article for the Edible Southeastern MA magazine.