Photo of snow covered home

According to the National Association of Realtors, the number of Rhode Island single-family homes sold last month increased 19 percent from December 2010.  In addition, pending sales - those sales under contract but not yet closed - rose 17 percent from the year prior.   Historically speaking the winter months tend to reflect a decrease in sales overall in Rhode Island, however, these recent statistics have both caught the attention of Rhodes Island’s Realtor President, Jaime Moore and helped shift the debate about listing homes in winter.

"We're happy to see sales rising again of their own accord," said Moore. "People are buying for no other reason than they recognize affordability in the market and that's a good sign. There is no tax incentive or…

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Photo of ice sculpture, Winter Festival 2009 Newport Winter Festival 2009

It's no secret that Newport, RI with its lovely seascapes, upscale shops and warm weather attractions is an enormously popular summer destination. Bustling boulevards from Bellevue Ave. to Thames Street are evidence of its summertime appeal. If you were to ask the locals the best time to enjoy Newport, however, you might be surprised to hear them say, "Winter."

True, Newport offers ample entertainment for all ages in the summer months, but while warm weather attracts tourists, the off season is a time to celebrate the natives. Popular winter events include mansion tours, ice skating at the Newport Yachting Center and the infamous St. Patty's Day Parade, which happens to fall directly on St. Patrick's Day this year. What…

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Photo of Hogan Associaes Bellevue OfficeHogan Associates, 129 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI

I can't believe I'm typing from a desk in the window front of an office overlooking Newport, RI's most famous street, beautiful Bellevue Ave! After a year with Landmark Realty Group of Wakefield, RI, I have made the infamous transition from mainland to island, and I'm happy to report that life on Aquidneck is amazing!!

My name is Stephanie Johnson, and I am a small town girl who has always had a taste for adventure the latest of which has been laying down roots here in the ocean state. Having grown up landlocked in West Rutland, Vermont, population approximately 2,400, I have developed a childlike appreciation for all that Rhode Island and Newport especially, have to offer! Boasting some of the most…

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It’s easy to feel negative about Rhode Island's real estate market when all you hear is bad news.  "Houses are not selling," "There are no buyers," "Banks won't lend," and "The economy is too weak for the housing market to improve."  Rhode Islanders need to look past the headlines and see the big picture. The greatest buying opportunity in our lifetimes, especially for first time home buyers and investors, is right now.  Here are a few reasons it’s an absolutely awesome time to buy:

Low Rates - Mortgage rates are at historic lows.  Two decades ago a 10% mortgage was a great deal.  In 2012, rates range from 3.75% - 4.5%.  Every .5% drop n a 30 year, $300,000 mortgage, puts $90 a month, $1,080 a year, or $32,400 over the life of the loan RIGHT IN YOUR…

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Bellevue Ave Newport RIThe Shops on Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI

When it comes to saving money, having a Newport office among Bellevue Avenue's lovely, one-of-a-kind shops is more of a curse than a blessing, but as an incentive to shop local it is simply AWESOME!  

I am an incurable one-for-them-one-for-me kind of holiday shopper, and I confess to doing more than a little damage to my pocketbook this year buying things for myself as I shop for the people on my list. In the process, however, I made a few new friends and I hope I did a little to help preserve the character of Bellevue Avenue's very special retail businesses.  

My newfound "enablers" include Dan MacDonald, exquisite jewelry dealer / manufacturer at Three Golden Apples, watch collector and jewelry expert, Ray…

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Last weekend I returned from a tech summit for real estate webmasters in Las Vegas. It  wasn't easy to squeeze into the schedule, but the meeting was great, I have an 18-page list of new ideas. The experience also reinforced my conviction that nothing - not even insanely great technology - trumps a face-to-face meeting.  

I had several terrific conversations with successful, generous, talented brokers and tech professionals who shared stories about building businesses, managing web sites and improving support for clients and agents in the process.  Among these were Dave Abernathy of  Waterfront Properties, Palm Beach, Ed and Cindy Knight of Rooms Realty in Macomb County, MI and Eric Blackwell of Eric on Search who shared some inspiring ways to "pay…

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Newport, RI will be the final stop of the 2011-2012 America's Cup World Series from June 23 - July 1, 2012. Developed to expose millions of people to competitive high-performance racing, the new America's Cup professional circuit will conclude here in Newport bringing with it extensive international publicity, a welcome boost to the local economy and wonderful exposure for sellers of area real estate.

Unlike previous America's Cup races held off shore, current plans call for the Newport races to stay inside the Harbor with the start/finish line just off the shoreline. Spectator viewing areas will provide front row seats as world-class sailors compete in 9 state-of-the-art AC45 wing-sailed catamarans. The AC45 can achieve speeds over 35 mph, but is…

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Daybreak, Jamestown, RI, SOLD Sept. 21, 2011

It's been a terrific summer for Newport, RI's Hogan Associates Real Estate.  In September we broke all of our own records for contracts and sales, and we represented the happy new owners of Daybreak, a waterfront home on 6 beautiful acres in Jamestown. At $6,400,000, it was the highest sale in RI this year but also one of the most highly discounted selling for $3,100,000 less than the original asking price, which just goes to show you, there are bargains to be had in all price ranges.

In addition...Ta Da! Our new real estate office at 129 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI is open and ready for business!  It's great to be on The Avenue right in the thick of things.  As I rearrange the office furniture…

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Answer:  Maybe.

Dock permits are issued by RI's Coastal Resources Management Council. The CRMC classifies all RI's coastal waters, and they allow residential docks in some types of waters and prohibit them in others.

The first step in determining whether you can build a dock is learning the water classification in your area.  Water classifications are designated in the CRMC Rules and Regulations, also called the CRMC Redbook.

In Type 2, 3, and 4 waters residential docks are allowed.  There are specific rules and requirements for locating a dock, but you can submit an application if your property abuts these waters.  In Type 1 waters, however, docks are prohibited.  Some people have grandfathered docks in Type 1 waters, which leads many to…

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