b'A South Orange Couple Feathers their NestWorking with Bonnie Ramsey and Kelly LombardiBY ELLEN DONKERD I N G H ON MIF EW hen Caitlin and DanielDaniel Lennox brings his wife, Caitlin, over thement having to do with the house because of work, Lennox toured a houseTandem stepped in with a person to take care of it. onMayhewDriveinTandems help went beyond the real estate process. SouthOrange,theyCaitlin says that Ramsey and Lombardi said, You immediatelyfellincan ask us anything. Thats why were here. We want lovewithit.Specifi- to be helpful. Thats what led them to give Caitlin cally, it was the livinga pediatrician recommendation. She says, They are roomthe first room that you see when you walk inboth moms. I think they understand the stress [ofthat grabbed them. Its a large space featuring wallsthreshold of their new home. preparing for a babys arrival].of dark paneled wood that are common to Tudors.The Lennoxes closed on their home in October Itsverybeautifulandsortofweird,Caitlinand have been working to spruce up the spacesays. I keep saying to everyone, We can knight youkind of both looked at each other, like, wow. Cait- mostly with new paint colors and some carpeting to in this room, because its got that style to it.lin adds, I dont have a poker face, so Bonnie andwarm it up.TheLennoxescreditBonnieRamseyandKellyKelly were both like, This is your house.WithSoon after they moved in, they had family over. Lombardi of Tandem Real Estate Group with findingTandems guidance, the Lennoxes submitted a win- We were all kind of sitting around in this [living] them the house. On the cusp of welcoming a newning bid and purchased the home.room, chatting and having wine and just really enjoy-baby girl this coming February, the couple felt theyNext, the couple put their energy into selling theiring each others company. And I was like, Oh, this is had outgrown their lovely but small home in Maple- Maplewood home. Once again, Ramsey and Lom- why this room is so awesome, because its super cozy, wood. But before selling it, they wanted to find a for- bardi described what to expect during the process.Caitlin says. Were not going to have a TV in there. ever home that could grow with them while being aThey also gave recommendations on how to make theWe just want it to be a place for people to connect and welcoming place for their family and friends.house look its best so it would be attractive to sellers.hang out and feel comfortable. So thats really in my Having connected with the Tandem duo throughCaitlin says, I think that ultimately made a differ- mind . And then to add a tiny little human into the an acquaintance this past summer, Ramsey and Lom- ence from a selling perspective and just being able tomixthat will be her reality.bardi gave the Lennoxes a presentation that broughtmaximize and show people the benefits of the home. With the baby almost here, Caitlin is taking a them through the entire buying process. WhetherRamsey and Lombardi made sure they prepared thebreak from the work world. Im going to focus on its a house or a car, as the buyer, youre the nov- Lennoxes for the market situation. Although the mar- parenthood, ice, Caitlin says. So you really want people who areket was strong, it wasnt producing the bidding wars soshesays. helping you who really know what theyre doing andcommon during the pandemic. Ultimately, the Len- Wevewaited whowillmanageyourexpectationsappropriately.noxes were more than pleased with the results. Aftera long time to They really did that from the first meeting that wetheir open house, Caitlin says, Lo and behold, we gotdo this. So Im had. Caitlin also found it helpful that Tandem tolda bunch of offers. [Tandem] did a whole presentationexcited to have them which team member would handle each step.of those offers. It was really exciting and fun.this be my fo-She says, Theyve got a well-oiled machine.Caitlin says she kept expecting the process to getcus for a little Although housing inventory was low, Ramsey andhard,butthatneverhappened.Shesays,Itwas,while.Were Lombardi took the Lennoxes through several homes.again, pretty seamless. The couple appreciated theinthenesting Bonnie Ramsey and Kelly Lombardi But once they saw that impressive living room inways that Tandem made the transaction easy. For in- phase.helped the Lennoxes find their forever the Tudor house, Caitlin says she and her husbandstance, if the Lennoxes couldnt attend an appoint- home.32/ matters magazine / winter 2024'