Each Sunday morning we discuss the issues and events of the past week surrounding the Real Estate market in Rhode Island. I am so happy to bring our knowledge to you in that format. With the past year as one of those rebuilding years into the next up cycle in real estate, we are always looking to give you the best prespective on what is at market besides what is happening.

We were fortunate enough to have with us this weekend the listing agent for a marvelous home in Barrington in the Lighthouse Point area. Caroline Butterfield is one of our great agents in our Barrington office. She knows the market well and has a beautiful comtemporary listing on Spinnaker Drive.

Here is what Caroline discussed.

“The property on Spinnaker Drive is a fantastic waterfront property with wonderful views of Narragansett Bay. Lighthouse Point is a wonderful area and this property is a pre-eminent spot.  Looking out at sunsets will be inspirational.

This uniquely built home includes an indoor pool, gym area, and sauna, enhancing the six bedrooms and six full bathrooms. It has a truly ambitious feel for any homeowner with the desired privacy expected in this price range.  However, it has an open floor plan with expansive windows looking out to the bay.

This part of Barrington is what everyone desires when they think of the area. The views of the water, the proximity to Providence, and the closeness to the amentities of the local community are what continually bring people to the town and persuade people to stay for the long term.

This property is priced very competitively for the area.”

Barrington has a great school system and is a wonderful year round community in close proximity to Providence and Newport. There are a good number of its residents who commute to Boston. It is a premier spot in Rhode Island.

Caroline Butterfield has been a top producing Realtor for Residential Properties and has worked with buyers and sellers throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts since 1979. Real estate is her profession, but more than that, it is her passion.  As she puts if: “I love the product, the people and the happy ending when buyers and sellers goals are achieved.”

If you haven’t already heard, TF Green Airport has recently made strides to being a more significant transportation hub in Rhode Island. A new transportation complex, called the “InterLink,” allows travelers to experience all the amenities of a world class airport. Boasting the slogan “Connecting You to New England,” this new facility features a six story parking garage, car rental service, and easy access to intercity bus services.

In addition, the InterLink has been added as a new stop on the MBTA commuter rail to Boston, making affordable and convenient transportation to “Beantown” or Providence available directly from the airport. The commuter rail line was up and running in early December, with outbound trains departing the station 6 times a week, and inbound trains arriving 5 times a week.  This makes transportation much more agreeable to those who have been looking for a no-hassle, inexpensive way to travel throughout the area.

Not only does the InterLink initiative lower congestion around TF Green, but it also makes the airport a more pleasant alternative to Logan Airport. Our airport now features a variety of transportation methods that allow the public to get to use the facility, by the method that suits them best. Whether your ultimate destination is Providence, Boston, or somewhere on an airplane, this new link is a serious improvement for the general public and is a great step in making the airport a more convenient place.

On January 6th our CEO, Sally Lapides, was featured as a guest speaker for the incoming class of students at Year Up Providence. She was joined by our Director of Information Technology, Tom Flanagan, and Steve Tetzner, Vice President of Homestar Mortgage. Year Up is a work force development program that gives 18 to 24 year olds the tools they need to succeed in the business world. Sally became acquainted with the organization when Executive Director, Meghan Hughes, asked her to mentor a student in the program.

Year Up Providence teaches business writing, professional development and IT skills, with their students earning an internship in the IT Field during the second half of the program. Sally asked Tom and Steve to speak on a variety of subjects, including their own unique path to success and some words of wisdom, followed by a question and answer session.

Here are some highlights from the talk: