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.”

Yesterday, on my radio show, Rich and Steve were in the studio with the latest market update and an analysis of this weeks real estate news. They also spoke with Elizabeth Cournoyer, a sales associate from our Barrington office, to highlight a very special waterfront property on 35 Bourne Lane in Barrington, RI. The property is listed by the Cournoyer Moran team. Here are some of the topics covered.

What makes this house unique?
Well first of all, the location is spectacular waterfront property on the desirable Adam’s Point, with the Narragansett Bay at your doorstep. This home has a certain seaside charm that is both elegant and relaxing. However, the sweeping views are not the only draw of this location, only 12 minutes from Providence, you can enjoy all that the city has to offer, without having to sacrifice suburban living. Also, If you’re in the market for a waterfront property, Barrington really is the perfect town to buy in, simply because if you live here, there is no need for a summer home.

Well, you’ve spoken of the location, but what’s so great about the actual property?
Recently, this home was taken down to the studs and in some places, the foundation. So, the property is also a new construction. Most of the Barrington waterfront homes are older, so a newer construction is extremely rare. During renovations, this house was completely transformed and the final product we see today makes for comfortable living without having to sacrifice the classic design features!

How exactly was the property improved by this renovation?
Well to start off, the home has completely new plumbing, wiring and Kolbe windows & doors. This saves owners from the hassle of dealing with faulty and inefficient systems down the line. The kitchen was completely redone. With Viking stainless steel appliances, wood inset cabinets, Lazy Susan’s and Italian granite counter-tops, this room is basically a sanctuary for anyone who loves to cook. You will want to spend hours here, using your creativity to make dozens of delicious feasts. In addition to the kitchens new functionality and style, the room has also become more energy efficient, with LED under counter lights and up lighting.

What features and amenities stand out to you? (Other than the obvious Waterfront)
The Red Oak Hardwood floors and two piece crown molding help give this home a refined look. With special touches like the hand-painted European title fireplace, you can’t help but feel comfortable and elegant inside this home.

All 4 bedrooms have their own private bath. The master suite has his and her master baths AND closets. You’ll never have to fight for closet space again! There are also two decks on the second floor that have spectacular views of the Bay. Whether reading, working or just daydreaming, you will find solace in this beautiful and private spot.

Elizabeth Cournoyer has 5 years experience selling residential real estate, land and investment properties and is a PPS Historic House specialist.  She is a Barrington Resident, focusing her real estate endeavors in the East Bay area. Elizabeth enjoys history, reading, skiing, antiquing, theatre and spoiling her Portuguese water dog.

Catherine Moran has 7 years of experience selling real estate and specializes in the East Side of Providence, Newport and East Bay areas. A former Gallery Director in New York City, Catherine brings a passion and enthusiasm for space and design to her real estate career. She enjoys gardening, playing tennis and teaching Creative Writing and Art History at CCRI.

This week Rich and Steve will have David  Dequattro from  RGB Architects offering his insights into how an architect can add value to any building project from a simple yet sustainable remodeling job to building your dream home.  And if it is a dream home you are after, Elizabeth Cournoyer from our Barrington office will showcase a great spot to build on Adams Point in Barrington.

Barrington is near and dear to my heart, since it was my childhood home and where I started my real estate career. Vacant property in this community is very special, and waterfront property is becoming rare. To paraphrase Mark Twain, “Land, they are not making it anymore.” And this is one of the last lots on Adams Point.

Talking with Elizabeth about the property, she mentioned that the location is a serene and idyllic setting for a home looking out over Smith’s Cove. The sunsets are wonderful and you can spend hours relaxing while you watch the boats make their way out into Narragansett Bay. And since it is raw land ready for building, you have a clean slate for a design suitable to you.

The Cox Providence Rhode Races were held this past Sunday. I was able to take some hand-held video at the beginning of the marathon and half-marathon. The race was sponsored by Cox, Shape-Up RI, and Harpoon.

Our COO, Libby Isaacson, placed third in her age group for the Shape Up RI half-marathon with a time of 1:54:25. (She makes a brief cameo in the video around the 39 second mark.) Joe Luca finished the Shape Up RI half-marathon with a time of 1:52:41 and Leslie Kellogg finished with a time of 1:56:06. Bethany Calitri finished the Harpoon 5k with a time of 33:24.

Here are the overall winners of each race. Scott Leslie from Rutland, MA was the male winner of the Cox Sports Marathon with a time of 2:35:45 and Jennifer Edelmann of Boston, MA was the female winner with a time of 3:01:02. For the Shape Up RI Half-Marathon, the male winner was Phil Reutlinger of Old Lyme, CT with a time of 1:12:36 and the female winner was Diana Davis of Providence, RI with a time of 1:25:59. Winners of the Harpoon 5k were Chris Magill of Cumberland, RI with a time of 16:45 and Michaela Driscoll of Coventry, RI with a time of 18:36.

Results of the 2010 race can be seen on the Rhode Races’ website. The weather was perfect at the start of the races with the temperature reaching 80 degrees later in the day. Seeing such a large turnout of runners, walkers and supporters was encouraging.