193 Gay Street, Westwood

How local relationships, timing, and market insight helped secure the right home—quietly and confidently.

One of the biggest misconceptions buyers have—especially in highly competitive towns like Westwood—is that every great home will eventually show up online.

In reality, that’s often not the case.

Some of the best opportunities are shared quietly, through relationships and conversations that happen long before a listing ever becomes public. The purchase of 193 Gay Street is a great example of how that works in real life—and why having the right local representation can make such a meaningful difference.

How This Opportunity Came Together

This home was found off market through a combination of personal connection and professional networks—specifically the Top Agent Network (TAN), a private group made up of the top ten percent of agents across Massachusetts.

Networks like this allow agents to share opportunities quietly before a property is formally introduced to the broader market. It’s not about secrecy or shortcuts—it’s about trust, communication, and long-standing professional relationships.

Because of those relationships, we were aware of this property early. That early awareness created a small but incredibly valuable window of opportunity for the buyer.

Why Working with a Local Realtor Matters

This transaction is a perfect example of why working with a local agent—someone who is actively involved in the community and connected to other professionals—can open doors that simply don’t appear online.

Online searches are useful, but they only show what’s already public. In a town like Westwood, where inventory is limited and demand remains strong, waiting for a home to hit the MLS often means competing with multiple buyers and losing leverage.

Being local meant understanding the neighborhood, recognizing how quickly similar homes would move once listed, and knowing that timing mattered more than waiting for confirmation from an app or alert.

A simple truth

“In competitive markets, access and timing often matter just as much as price.”

Understanding the Westwood Market

Westwood is not a market where hesitation is typically rewarded.

Homes with land, privacy, and strong neighborhood appeal tend to move quickly once they’re exposed to the full buyer pool. Even in changing market conditions, well-located Westwood properties rarely sit for long.

Understanding that reality allowed us to evaluate the opportunity at 193 Gay Street with confidence—not just based on price, but based on long-term value, setting, and potential.

Making a Strong, Informed Offer

The initial offer was $1,800,000. This wasn’t about guessing or pushing limits—it was about presenting a serious, well-supported offer that reflected current market conditions and the reality of future demand.

Because the offer was thoughtful and credible, it was received seriously—an especially important factor in off-market transactions where trust plays a bigger role than competition.

Navigating the Inspection Process

Buying off market does not mean skipping important steps. Inspections were completed, and as with most homes, legitimate issues surfaced.

Instead of letting emotions take over, the inspection phase was handled calmly and collaboratively. The focus stayed on real findings, reasonable adjustments, and keeping the transaction moving forward.

As a result, we successfully negotiated $24,000 off the purchase price, bringing the final sale to $1,776,000.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For buyers, this story highlights an important reality: not every opportunity is visible. Some of the best homes are found through conversations, preparation, and local insight.

For sellers, it’s a reminder that selling doesn’t always have to start with a public listing. In some cases, testing the market quietly can lead to strong results with less stress and more control.

Whether buying or selling, the right strategy creates options—and options lead to better outcomes.