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Review Brooks & Crowley
July 2024
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
STRIKING THE BALANCE Being Accessible Without Becoming a Workaholic
I want to talk to you about workaholics and a healthy work-life balance. Ironically, National Workaholics Day falls on July 5 — the Friday right after Independence Day. You may be a workaholic if you were in the office on July 5 this year. But I digress. There is a big difference between being a workaholic and being accessible — especially for attorneys. To me, being a workaholic means slaving away at the office at the expense
physically be in the office to take all of these weekend calls. But the way it is now, I can always call them back if needed or let my clients know when I will not be available. The digital age has made our work mobile , which has made work more freeing as an attorney. I could be answering the phone while at the gym, on a walk, or even at the Cape. The client simply wants the information we are here to help
them with, and sometimes, these interactions may only take a couple of minutes. It is not a burden — I am happy to help.
of your personal life. Being accessible means you are available to your clients when they need you, even if that means taking phone calls on the weekend or working when they need you to work with them. THE NATURE OF MY WORK As a real estate attorney, I work with many real estate agents. Agents, especially in this economy, often show houses and work long days on the weekends. Their schedules revolve around the availability of their clients. So does mine. The bulk of my work on the weekends consists of phone calls with agents who need my assistance. They aren’t calling me just to chat; they are reaching out because they have a legitimate question that needs answering.
CRUNCH TIME I know many people get trapped in cycles with their businesses, where certain times of the year become inordinately busy. For real estate attorneys, that time comes at the end of every month. Closings can get complicated, especially when buyers are selling first, just ahead of their purchase, and a number of last-minute
problems can crop up. Our job is to ensure things get straightened out so deals can close. If someone is not aware of the circumstances of our work, they may see us working long days at the end of the month and think we are workaholics. But the truth is that we adapt to the needs of our clients, and it’s simply what the work requires. It is not invasive to me, and perhaps that’s
In this business, sometimes it really cannot wait. With such a small inventory of real estate available, buyers are fiercely competing with one another. They often employ strategies like putting their own house up or eliminating contingencies to make their bid as competitive as possible. Naturally, in this market, situations arise that require my help sorting out. Things would be different if I had to
why I’m in this line of work in the first place.
–Steve Brooks
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From Fingers to Forks The Evolution of Dining Etiquette
Have you ever feasted on chicken wings, your hands stained with barbecue sauce, and thought, Why don’t we just eat everything like this? As it turns out, we did — people only started eating their meals with cutlery fairly recently. Many cultures around the world still eat primarily with their hands. So, why are placemats adorned with forks, spoons, and knives commonplace today? To find out, we have to get our hands dirty — because the history of cutlery, much like the history of civilization, is complex, nuanced, and full of gossip. BIG SPOON LITTLE SPOON Perhaps unsurprisingly, spoons are the oldest examples of cutlery people used consistently for millennia. After all, what good is a fine pot of communal soup without a spoon to eat it with? Likewise, knives have always been used to cut up meat and prepare our
meals, but only the advent of individualized meals rather than buffet-style brought along the advent of dinner knives.
on. Royals increasingly ate with cutlery and became weary of dirtying their hands with their food. By the 1800s, cutlery was widespread in the Western world,
Forks, however, are an altogether newer invention. Although large serving forks can be traced as far
and today, most people and establishments serve meals with silverware!
ANTIQUITY — MAKING A COMEBACK
back as Ancient Egypt, the individual, smaller version has its roots in the Byzantine Empire. Around one thousand years ago, the Byzantine noblewoman Theodora Doukaina brought a golden fork to her wedding feast in Venice. It
There’s a reason movie theater popcorn doesn’t
come with a popcorn spoon and your favorite burger joint doesn’t offer sporks; some food is meant to be eaten with your hands. While most sit-down meals will always be the domain of the cutlery-wielding elite, finger food isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and if history has any say, it never will.
became quite controversial among the Italians, with many shunning the novel tool as posh and overly decadent. However, as royals began to intermarry, the fork gradually caught
Fluffy’s Heroic Deed Saves a Veteran
In 2020, Ron Williams, a Korean War veteran in his mid-80s, lived alone. His only lifeline was his Life Alert, a small device designed to alert healthcare officials if an emergency occurred. That was until he was gifted a black-and- white spotted cat named Fluffy. From the moment they met, it was clear the two would make a perfect pair. But what Ron didn’t know was that he had been given more than a companion — he had been given a savior. FELINE FRIEND While Ron did not have many people to talk to, he did have Fluffy. The two shared mostly one-sided conversations, likely interspersed with the occasional meow. Whenever Ron received a call on his cellphone, he got in the habit of saying, “Ring-a-ding.” While the two shared a deep bond, Ron never considered that Fluffy was actually listening. “I just fell in love with him,” Ron said of Fluffy in an interview with FOX17 in Michigan. As it turned out, Fluffy loved him back. FLUFFY TO THE RESCUE One fateful day, at around 8 a.m., Ron slipped and fell on his way out of the shower. He landed on his arm, which became pinned under him. His Life Alert, which he had relied upon for situations like this, was charging in the other room. His cell phone, his only other means of calling for help,
was on the bathroom counter, out of reach. The hours ticked away, and Ron lay in agonizing pain on the bathroom floor. At just past midnight the next day, Ron had an idea. Fluffy had wandered into the bathroom to check on his friend. “Ring-a-ding,” Ron told him, and Fluffy knew to retrieve his phone and bring it to him. Ron was able to call for help in time to save his life. Fluffy’s quick thinking prevented tragedy. This heroic act is a great reminder that our pets care — and listen — more than we may ever give them credit for.
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SUMMER SPECULATION HOW LOWERED INTEREST RATES WILL IMPACT YOU
When it comes to real estate, interest rates are a significant factor influencing the price and rate at which buyers purchase property. The higher the interest rate, the more money they’ll spend on interest rather than the principal. In their quest to curtail rampant inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve, or Fed, has kept interest rates at a steady 5.25%–5.50% since July 2023. However, recent forecasts indicate that inflation is nearing the Fed’s 2% goal, which would incentivize them to lower the interest rates. In July 2024, one year since interest rates were hiked to their highest levels since 2006, strong indications suggest interest rates will fall again. If you are looking to buy or have recently purchased property, here is what to expect. WHAT WILL THE FED DO? Everyone is expecting interest rates to drop in the coming months. Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker told Reuters, “One rate cut would be appropriate by year’s end.” In June of
this year, the European Central Bank, or ECB, cut its benchmark rate from a record high of 4% to 3.75%. Their inflation rate is similar to ours, and their 2% annual inflation target is identical to the Fed’s. This is another strong indicator that the Fed will follow suit and cut interest rates soon. It could be a .25% cut or even a .50% cut, but it will have real ramifications for the real estate market. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME? If the Fed cuts rates this year, there are a few things to consider. One is
that the cost of financing homes lowers when rates are cut. There will be no immediate impact on fixed-rate mortgages, although adjustable- rate mortgage payments will decrease. If you are on a fixed-rate mortgage, you may want to call your loan officer. Refinancing your mortgage after the rates drop could help you save on your
monthly payments. Keep an eye on the interest rate, as a drop could be a boon for property owners. Given the tight inventory, lower rates could create even more competition among buyers. So, if you have your eye on a property, it may make sense to pull the trigger now and refinance down the road.
Have a Laugh!
Quinoa Veggie Bowl
This recipe is packed with protein-rich quinoa and a colorful array of vegetables. It’s ideal for a healthy lunch or a quick dinner!
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1 cup diced mushrooms • 1 tsp dried oregano • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 cups cooked quinoa
directions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add oregano, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
4. Add the cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly. 5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then serve.
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 Navigating Accessibility Without Being a Workaholic 2 The Fascinating History of Cutlery How a Cat Saved an Army Veteran in Need 3 How a Lower Interest Rate Affects You
Quinoa Veggie Bowl
4 Can’t-Miss Summer Events
What’s Going On, Boston? The Best of Boston’s Summer Activities
4D MOVIE MAGIC In showing perfect for the whole family, the Museum of Science combines in-theater special effects with 3D film to create the ultimate immersive movie-going experience. Films are shown daily.
COPLEY SQUARE FARMERS MARKET Every Tuesday and Friday this summer, farmers and consumers come together to make the Copley Square Farmers Market the largest and busiest in Massachusetts. Indulge in fresh meals, baked goods, locally grown produce, and locally crafted goods. If you want to experience the taste of local cuisine, then this is the place for you. MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY The Museum of African American History is the largest museum of its kind in New England. Its exhibits allow visitors to experience authentic representations of life in 18th- and 19th-century Black communities. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Monday, and tickets start at just $15 for adults and $8 for children.
Summer can be scorching hot. Heat advisories are often in effect all over New England, and beating the heat is the name of the game. Luckily, there are a number of events and activities you can add to your calendar that can help you do just that. From helicopter tours to museum excursions, here are four Boston must-sees to help you beat the heat this summer. SUNSET HELICOPTER TOURS Have you ever seen helicopters flying overhead and been jealous to the extreme? I know I have. If you want a unique view of our city, especially of the beautiful sunset, then a Sunset Helicopter Tour may be just the thing for you. The popular, first-class experience lets you ascend through the skies and soar above the Boston skyline. Tours take place all summer, so you have plenty of opportunities to experience the city like never before.
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