While Providence is known for its great arts and theater community, there is a strong performing arts community throughout Rhode Island that includes the far reaches of the state.  Theater by the Sea is a long-running tradition for South County residents and members of the summer community in the southern part of the state.

This landmark theater in South Kingstown, RI had its first production in 1933 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  The theater has seen its share of hardship over the years, closing its doors periodically, seeing new ownership, and experiencing destruction during several hurricanes but always seems to overcome obstacles due to people who strongly believe in live theater.

The original theater was a barn on the summer property of Mrs. Alice Jaynes Tyler.  Tyler renovated the barn into a theater in order to create jobs in response to the great depression.  The theater is located in the picturesque village of Matunuck, in South Kingstown.  The village is situated on a point into the Atlantic and takes its name from the Native American word for “look out.”  The oceanfront community of Matunuck is home to several notable beaches including Moonstone Beach, South Kingstown Town Beach at Matunuck, East Matunuck State Beach.

Today, Theatre by the Sea is home to Ocean State Theatre Co., Inc., whose mission it is “to reinvigorate the Rhode Island Landmark know as Theatre By The Sea and renew the commitment of enrichment, education, and historic continuity for the community through live theatre.”  The Theatre Company was founded by William Hanney in 2007 in conjunction with Amiee Turner and Joel Kipper.

This year, the theater is running 4 productions.  Peter Pan is currently running and will play through August 8th.  Tickets range in price from $39-$49.

The performance schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday at 8:00pm
Thursday at 2:00 & 8:00 pm
Saturday at 4:30 & 8:30pm
Sunday* at 5:00pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the contemporary musical comedy about 2 competing con men on the French Riviera, will run from August 12th – September 6th.  Tickets are available on the Theater by the Sea website, theatrebythesea.com.

This is a follow up to last week’s blog on why using a Realtor to help find you a tenant might be worth your while.

As the Rental Director here at Residential Properties, I can tell you it is crunch time for filling those apartments and the phones are ringing off the hook with people looking for apartments for August 1st and September 1st! The apartment hunters are out there.

So, if you’re not getting steady calls & showing requests, or if you are, but haven’t gotten any bites yet, try some of these tips to get a tenant to take the bait! It’s been working very effectively for me over the past 2 weeks.

1. Offer 1/2 month’s security deposit as an incentive: If tenant moves in by September 1st. Lots of people are low on cash this season and keeping a little more in their pocket has huge appeal.
2. Consider reducing rent for longer-term leases: This is great for both parties. There are many grad students entering into 2 and 3-year programs who will likely prefer not to have to worry about moving out next year. To compensate for sacrificing a little on your monthly rent, you can get the security of knowing you won’t have to worry about it either. I recommend reducing the rent by 5%-10% for a 2-year lease for adequate incentive.
3. Stay competitive: The market is continually changing as landlords are getting more motivated to rent their places. Check out your competition and be the best value. If you have a 2 bed apartment available in decent condition on the East Side, run regular Craig’s List searches and call us here at Residential Properties to find out what similar properties are going for.
4. Don’t inflate your rent to save room for negotiation: Many people search up to ‘tiers’ so if you’re at $1250 instead of $1200, but you would take $1200, you are missing a large part of your potential renter pool who are only searching up to $1200.
5. Make your sign clear, noticeable and prominent: Apartment hunters are taking to the streets and writing down contact numbers from ‘FOR RENT’ signs on properties that appeal to them. Finding a place is a lot of work, and people are tired. If they can’t see your number from the distance of their car, they are likely to just keep on going, which is one more missed opportunity for you.

For more advice, contact me! Also I would like to know about your apartment, as I have lots of clients coming through my office who need a place!

81 Dixwell Avenue Cranston, RI
It’s a 3 bed for $1500, single family home, 10 mins drive from Providence.

Feels like home! Wonderful house for rent, just 10 mins drive from Providence. House is in perfect condition with lovely Colonial details. Hardwood floors, new windows, living room, dining room w/double doors to outdoor patio & fenced in yard. Garage parking, laundry, basement storage. Available September 1st.

Residential Properties Ltd. is an affiliate of Luxury Portfolio, the luxury face of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the largest global network of premier locally branded independent luxury brokerages.  Based in Chicago with additional representation in London, Luxury Portfolio boasts a team with decades of experience in the high-end market.

LuxuryPortfolio.com is holding a contest on their blog, with the winner to receive French macaroons from Sucré, a New Orleans boutique bakery.  All visitors have to do is post an insightful comment on one of their blog posts to be considered eligible for the prize.

Visit LuxuryPortfolio.com/blog to read about significant listings and sales, reviews of luxury items for the home, LP affiliate news, and other goings on in the world of luxury.  Comment on a post before August 15th and you might receive a sweet treat.

Explore Residential Properties Luxury Listings, priced at $1,000,000 plus.

Do you find yourself searching for fun summer activities that won’t break the bank?  Look no further.  All of these concerts are free to the public!

Friday Night Concert Series at Waterplace Park
When: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Waterplace Park

Firstworks/Washington Trust Concert Series

When: Fridays through August 7, 12 p.m.
Where: Washington Trust (Washington/Orange St.)

When: Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza

When: Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza

When: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Outside Aspire Restaurant (311 Westminster St.)

Blackstone Park Summer Concert Series

When: Monday, July 27, 4 p.m.
Where: Blackstone Blvd. Trolley Station

Rooftop Jazz at Aspire Restaurant

When: Fridays, 7-10p.m.
Where: Aspire Restaurant (311 Westminster St.)

What would the ocean state be without a bevy of lighthouses to visit?  Below is some information on a few of our favorites.

1. Beavertail Lighthouse, Jamestown

The 3rd oldest lighthouse on the Atlantic coast, originally built in 1749, Beavertail Lighthouse boasts panoramic Narragansett Bay views. It remains as Jamestown’s most visited landmark. The museum even stamps lighthouse passports to provide documentation of your visit to this one-of-a-kind structure.

Accessibility: 7 days a week 10AM-4PM

2. Rose Island, Newport

Set a mile into Narragansett Bay, this working light house is only a short distance from Newport. A nice picnic lunch can be packed to enjoy the day or you can do something a little more adventurous and fish off the rocks. If you enjoy the island and the lighthouse too much to leave you can stay overnight in the museum on the 1st floor or even become a keeper for a week and stay on the 2nd floor. Check out the Keeper Options for more details.

Accessibility: The lighthouse property is open year round 10AM-4PM.

3.  Watch Hill Lighthouse, Westerly

Built in 1806, this beautiful lighthouse is not easy to get to. There are no cars allowed on the access road, so make sure you wear your walking shoes. The walk is well worth it however, because you get a spectacular view of Block Island Sound, the Westerly beaches, Napatree Point and Fishers Island, NY.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is closed to the public. The grounds are open during the day.

4.  Point Judith Light, Narragansett

An octagonal brick building erected in 1816, the lighthouse is home to some World War II history. The last German U-Boat sunk in the war was two miles off the light. Point Judith is also home to an active station of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Accessibility: Visitors are welcome to the grounds; lighthouse and Coast Guard Station restricted.

For more lighthouses, check out rhodeislandbaycruises.com to take a 10-lighthouse boat tour, departing from Quonset Point in North Kingstown.