A LETTER FROM LAUREN
Last month, I had the joy of helping two of my high school friends through the process of buying and selling homes. There’s something deeply grounding about working with people who knew you long before, or outside of, titles or transactions — when life was still taking shape.
Growing up, I often heard, “You won’t stay friends with your high school friends forever.” My parents used to say it too — and now, they laugh and admit they were very wrong. I’ve always kept my friendships close, across all seasons and zip codes, and in many ways, I’ve built my business on that same foundation.
There’s nothing more meaningful than guiding someone you’ve known for decades through one of life’s biggest transitions. It’s a full-circle kind of trust — and I never take it for granted.
REAL ESTATE ISN’T ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL
Recently, I met with two long-term clients over some kindly offered tea at their kitchen table. They’d been circling the idea of a condo, unsure how to time the sale of their home, decide on financing plans, or how to navigate the transition.
“Lauren has worked tirelessly on our behalf. Her grasp of the market, intuition and keen sense of timing were crucial in helping us sell our house, from the open-house to closing, all in a matter of weeks. Although the sale was quick, she’s been extremely patient in helping us work through the home sale/purchase process which has taken over a year. We look forward to working with her on the purchase of a new home.”
REIMAGINING LISTING VIDEOS
51 Pleasant Street / "Hi, I'm Chandler"
1 Farnham Street / "From My View"
VIRTUAL STAGING: A SECRET WEAPON
I’ve always believed in the power of great staging—the way a space can shift from static to striking. Nothing replaces the impact of real-life staging, and it will always be my first choice when timing and logistics allow for it.
For years, I avoided virtual staging because most of it felt a little too… fake. But recently, I’ve hired a virtual stager whose work changed my perspective. His renderings feel editorial, transportive, and unexpectedly high-end—not a replacement for traditional staging, but a strategic tool when the situation calls for it.
Think: listing seven condos at once, accelerating a launch timeline, or bridging the gap before a stager can get in. In those moments, virtual staging becomes a powerful substitute.
Take this example: a historic 1905 church conversion in Portland that I co-listed with Tom Gadbois. We virtually staged the units with intention—designer-grade, bold, and emotionally resonant—and six out of seven went under contract in a week. Several agents at showings couldn’t believe the staging wasn’t real. That’s when you know it’s working. (And yes—I’m the only agent in Maine with access to this stager.)
In the right hands, virtual staging isn’t meant to replace the art of real staging… it simply elevates the story when circumstances demand something different.
A SLICE OF APPRECIATION
If you believe you should have received an invite but didn’t, please reach out — I never want anyone overlooked. Anyone reading this letter, I’m grateful for you being part of my community, and I hope to continue expanding this tradition each season.
FEATURED LISTING
Some homes make an impression the moment you step inside, and 1 Farnham Street is one of them. This timeless Portland farmhouse blends light, craftsmanship, and timelessness in a way that feels instantly welcoming. From the wraparound porch to the ornate tin ceilings, every detail carries a sense of calm and history.
Thank you for reading!
