I received a call this week from the organizers of the Providence Ronald McDonald House Classic 5K road race. This woman’s event, being held this year on October 4th, is a fund raiser for the Providence Ronald McDonald House and is a celebration of woman wellness.
The donation is the entry fee and they are looking for women to participate in the race. But it is not just a 5K race through the streets of the east side of Providence. There is also a 3K walk and a wellness fair being held on the grounds of Brown University’s football stadium.
So, why am I writing about this now? That’s an easy question. The word has to get out to the community to encourage as many people as possible to join in the race, walk and fair. So, please visit their website, www.prmhclassic.org, to read the details of the event and get your registration in process.
Watch Katie Baker, Sales Associate in our Cumberland Office discuss moving to Rhode Island and accommodating the needs of a relocating family. The video was filmed at beautiful Prospect Park in Providence.
I have been selling real estate in Rhode Island for thirty-four years and 2009 will probably go down in my book as the most challenging. Everyday, I work to untangle a negotiation that is stuck or a problem that needs to be solved.
Our typical spring market generally begins in March and ends in June. The high-end typically is very quiet in the city over the summer with many buyers and sellers leaving for second homes and vacation time with loved ones. In the suburbs, most clients want to be settled into their new home by June so that their children get a chance to meet the neighborhood kids before the school year begins. But this year the spring market got pushed back a quarter and the summer seems to be atypically busy.
President Obama’s housing stimulus plan has allowed first-time homebuyers the opportunity to purchase a home and receive up to an $8,000 tax credit. The closing has to take place by November 30, 2009 so agents are busy seven days a week showing properties in the lower price ranges.
So, I understand why the lower ranges in the real estate market are coming alive, but why all of a sudden in the dead of summer is the high end beginning to have activity in some areas? The East Side and Barrington seem to be showing signs of coming out of their paralyzed high-end slumber. A handful has gone under agreement and is set to close before the end of August.
Once this happens, other buyers will follow because real estate professionals will have some comparable sales to be able to price new listings against or re-price listings that have been sitting on the market. Appraisers will be able to justify sales prices for the banks because they will have comps. It will be easier for sellers to understand why the competition sold. Was it price, condition, staging, marketing or a combination of all of them?
It is too early to say that we are coming out of this unprecedented real estate cycle but the good news is that buyers and sellers understand the market better. The media isn’t pummeling us hourly with bad real estate news. Everyday, you can find an article on an area of the country that is starting to see real estate activity. I am happy to report that like Sleeping Beauty awakening from her long slumber, we may be seeing the beginning of a slow awakening too.
Pawtucket’s fan friendly McCoy Stadium will become even friendlier this week. The PawSox are back in town playing against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Buffalo Bisons, and the Rochester Red Wings over the next several days. But to enhance the spectator experience, several special promotions will be offered.
From 5pm to 7pm tonight with a donation of 3 non perishable food items (ex. can of soup, can of vegetables, box of cereal, box of pasta), fans will receive an autograph photo of a PawSox player from the player’s wife or player’s girl friend. All collected food items will be donated to the RI Food Bank.
Tuesday, August 25th is PawSox Back-to-School Binder Night. The first 4,000 fans ages 14 and under will receive a PawSox Back to School Binder compliments of Citizen’s Bank, Pepsi, Lite Rock 105 and CW28.
And then on Thursday, August 27th is PawSox Player Card Set Night. All fans will entering McCoy prior to the game will receive a PawSox Baseball Card Set compliments of Dunkin’ Donuts and NESN.
Finally, on September 2, the PawSox will be hosting an all-you-can eat pre-game BBQ. Tickets are $24 per-person, and proceeds benefit the Pawtucket Red Sox Charitable Foundation.
There you sit, starting a search for a truly great place to rent in Providence. The computer is deftly searching the websites trying to find that gem, when up pops hundreds of listings. Now, the only problem you are encountering is where to begin.
Since to date there is no real Providence apartment atlas, you might call the rental scene here ‘uncharted.’ Navigating it can be challenging, especially for higher end flats which are less likely to be posted on Craigslist.
If you’re looking for a modern, high end apartment, you have several great options. Working with a Realtor to help you find the right location is recommended, especially since it won’t cost you anything. Also, Realtors frequently send referrals to most of the complexes, so they can typically help negotiate a better rent price than you can get on your own, and often can get extra amenities which are usually extra, such as parking.
There are a handful of places Downtown and a few best kept secrets only a 10 minute drive to the city. With the latter you can get more for your money and even luxury waterfront living. So if you’re looking for a little luxury, here are some suggestions:
Best Within a 10 Minute Drive:
1. Rosedale Landing – Edgewood, Cranston-Luxury Waterfront-Check out this week’s Rental Feature for an Exclusive Video Tour!
2. Rumford Center – East Providence in a fabulous mill restoration (complete w/cafe)
3. Slater Mill – Pawtucket Arts District – Another great mill restoration for Loft Living
Even I am still discovering what’s out there…for more information on these and other Premier Rental Communities, contact me!
I received a call this week from the organizers of the Providence Ronald McDonald House Classic 5K road race. This woman’s event, being held this year on October 4th, is a fund raiser for the Providence Ronald McDonald House and is a celebration of woman wellness.
Pawtucket’s fan friendly 
