Newport RI Real Estate Blog

Newport Harbor, April 2011

Late afternoon, Brenton Cove, Newport, RI April, 2011

Newport Harbor, Before the Boats Arrive

April and May - those pre-summer months when everything begins to bloom - bring a distinctive beauty to Newport.  The chartreuse green leaves, flowering trees and the uninterrupted stretch of harbor (sans fleet) provide no hint of the bustling summer days ahead.

This photo was taken from Beechbound - a luxury condominium enclave created around a fabulous turn-of-the-century 1895 summer "cottage".  It is one of several condo communities along this scenic stretch of coastline offering active harbor views, docks, launch access and the ability to get involved or get away - all from the same spot.

So come soon, before spring gives way to summer, and see what…

2564 Views, 0 Comments

Top 20 Real Estate Sites for Selling Newport, RI homes

It takes 100 consumer sites to reach 71% of the market.

If you have a Newport, RI home or condo for sale, chances are it's listed on many different real estate sites.  Some of this listing distribution happens automatically through MLS (Realtor.com, ProJo.com, NewEnglandRealEstate.com), some depends on your listing agency's syndication agreements (Yahoo, Zillow, Trulia and many more) and some is the result of exclusive agreements based on vertical markets like luxury real estate, foreclosed properties or short sales.

With hundreds of sites out there, it's hard to know which ones really matter when it comes to delivering traffic.  As it turns out, no 800 lb. gorilla dominates the consumer real estate scene (yet).  While a dominant player may emerge,…

66339 Views, 3 Comments

When is Restaurant Week in Newport, RI?

Restaurant Week in Newport & Bristol, RI is March 25 - April 3, 2011!

This popular, twice-annual event includes a fabulous selection of local restaurants offering three-course prix fix meals at exceptional prices: Lunch is $16 and Dinner is $30. (taxes and gratuity are extra) 

Check out this list of participating restaurants and menus and make your reservations now!

56876 Views, 0 Comments

Newport, RI Real Estate Market Snapshot

The charts below provide a snapshot of Newport's Single Family Real Estate market for the 6 months ending February 28, 2011.  For those of you thinking about pricing your homes for spring, this is important information to consider.  If you would like a similar report on your town, just give us a call.

2538 Views, 0 Comments

Secret Newport, RI Short Cuts: What your GPS won't tell you.

"Isn't it just awful getting around here in the summer?"

When I bring buyers to see homes for sale in Newport, RI, I always get this question: "Isn't it just awful getting around here in the summer?"

I live in Newport, right downtown, and the truth is, it's NOT hard to get around in the summer, and by and large, traffic congestion is limited to weekends and the last two weeks of August when vacationing seems to reach its peak. That said, there are times when knowing your alternatives can save time and aggravation. Here are a few essential Newport short cuts. (Warning: share with discretion!)

SHORT CUT #1 - Bellevue / Memorial Intersection Work Around

We locals would never dream of going through the intersection of Bellevue Avenue and Memorial…

61255 Views, 0 Comments

Short Sales in RI: 10 Things You MUST Consider

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let me start off by saying a few things about myself. My real estate career began after my employer, a boutique financial firm where I was CFO, closed abruptly.  When the shock wore off, and I finished mourning, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and started over in real estate.  It wasn't easy, but now I find tremendous satisfaction in helping homeowners understand the options and the obstacles to getting back on their feet.

The point I'd like to make here is this: things happen, you can adjust, and you can start over. Yes, the economy is bad. We are at close to 10% unemployment. Your home value probably has dropped, and, if you owe more than your house is worth, a short sale may provide the relief you need to get…

23751 Views, 1 Comments

You CAN buy a home with 10% down and no Private Mortgage Insurance. Here's How:

As many people know, banking has become much tougher, and financing options have drastically shrunk since the recent banking implosion.  It no longer is just signing a purchase and sales and waiting for the closing.  Buyers in this market need expert advice on how to navigate banks and if paired correctly with the right mortgage product can save substantial money or actually make it to the closing.

In a recent deal, my buyer finally found a house that worked well for their family but needed updates to make it feel like home.  After reviewing the needed work and the intended down payment, we realized that the cash required for improvements wouldn't allow them to put 20% down forcing them to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - an added expense we…

19184 Views, 1 Comments

Waterfront Real Estate in RI: 10 Things You Should Know Before You Buy

Know the Rules. Enjoy the Lifestyle.

Waterfront properties are life enhancing.  They offer long, lazy days at the shore, your own lobster pots, idyllic family vacations, views to decompress the most frazzled executive and a rare, primal connection with nature. Like most rare and wonderful things, however, they come with their own set of unique challenges. So if you're looking for a waterfront home in Rhode Island, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. COASTAL BUFFER ZONES - Although your property extends to the water's edge, Rhode Island's Coastal Resource Management Council has jurisdiction over the last 200 feet.  This area is called the coastal buffer zone, and it is measured inland from the mean high tide mark. Improvements like docks, stairs,…

14564 Views, 0 Comments

My New iPad - A Teenager Upgrade

Last fall, after my college-bound daughter absconded with my laptop, I looked for an economical replacement and settled on an iPad.  At first, I found it limiting compared to my souped up PowerBook. Over the holidays, however, I became one with my new device, and it has dramatically changed and improved the way I get information. I now receive virtually all my news online; I am reading more than I have in years, and I am learning things at a pace that... well... It's exhilarating. Really.

I described this epiphany to John Abell, an intrepid early adopter from Portsmouth who runs a local Apple users' group. He was delighted to have another convert, and I was only mildly deflated when he announced he now had over 600 apps! I find this astonishing especially…

55717 Views, 0 Comments

And Lo! The Archangel of Arithmetic Appeared before Them.

Several years ago I watched hopelessly as my effusive, happy, youngest daughter sank deeper and deeper into the dreaded, grade school, mathematical abyss.  She was so confused she no longer had any idea what was going on in class, she lived in mortal fear of being called on, and she started to hate school. It was clear she would never catch up without help, so I set out to find a tutor.

I knew nothing about tutors, but by a lucky twist of fate, we ended up in the hands of Martha Cummings, a remarkable teacher who rebuilt my daughter's faulty math foundation and slowly, painstakingly got her back on track. Martha was serious, kind, demanding, friendly, strict, smart and funny. She was a godsend, and I have never been so happy to write out a check.

Later in…

2233 Views, 0 Comments