The real estate agent, a cheerful woman named Linda who had been selling homes in the area for twenty years, couldn’t stop raving about the neighborhood’s amenities and community spirit.

“You’re going to love it here,” she said as we pulled into the driveway of 247 Maple Lane, a charming two-story colonial with cream-colored siding and black shutters. “The HOA really keeps everything looking perfect. Property values have been steadily climbing for years because of how well-maintained everything is.”

Sarah squeezed my hand as we walked up the front steps. At twenty-eight, she was finally getting the house she’d been dreaming about since childhood—a place wit

h enough bedrooms for the family we were planning, a yard where we could have barbecues with friends, and a garage where I could set up a workshop for my woodworking hobby.