Get the inside scoop on condos in Newport County and Southern Rhode Island.

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…

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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,…

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We've got several fab, fab, fab condos for sale in Newport - with everything you've ever dreamed about - water views, lots of space, close to beaches - and they're available for, well, some pretty good numbers.  Here's a little info on the top quartile or higest priced condos in Newport illustrating the market forces at work here. Prices are up a little, but price per square foot is trending steadily down. Translation: more space, less $$. If you're a buyer, this is just a little more evidence that the wind is REALLY at your back right now on the luxury condo scene. Life is short; markets are hard to time; you can't buy happiness, but you can make a place and invite it in!

Note: This blog post will get old, but the chart will update weekly, so check…

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... you might be pleasantly surprised by the new pricing, the recent sales and the amazing beauty of this 450-acre sporting estate in Portsmouth.  Last week Carnegie announced substantial reductions in The Tower residences, and there are some pretty good values in the shingle-style Golf Lodge and Golf House too.  If you're looking for an upscale, turnkey home where you can golf, ride, sail, swim play tennis or just wander around the 450 gorgeous acres, this might be the place for you!

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Carnegie Abbey is a private golf club and sporting estate in Portsmouth, RI, just 15 minutes from Newport. Prices start at $799,000 but the round of golf with me will be priceless!

 

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RI mortgage rates are lower than they have ever been in recorded history!  Your savings over time will be enormously higher than the $8,000 tax rebate.  As of today, August 20, 2010, the current average rate for a 30 year fixed loan is 4.75 percent, and the 15 year fixed rate is at 4% (view full post for chart).  The stimulus package was nice, but the money you will save by financing at these rates is nicer.  Consider this example: if you bought a house for $300,000 last year and financed 80% at 6%, your interest payments for the first 3 years would be $42,402.  Three years of interest payments for the same purchase today at 4.75% would total $33,411.  That's almost $9,000 less, and these savings continue for up to 30 years.  So don't feel bad about…

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