A few weeks ago, we blogged about the Woonsocket Adopt-A-Family. The group provides gifts and toys to children of needy families, and two Residential Properties agents―Sandra Soares and Janice Geddes―are actively involved. Their goal is to deliver a message of hope to those youngsters who might not get to have a traditional holiday celebration, and we think this is an admirable aim.

While the organization has matched 1,400 children with donors this year, they are still in need of volunteers to provide for the remaining 472 children. If the group cannot find additional volunteers, this will be the first time in nine years that they have had to turn families away. If you would like to help bring the holidays to those less fortunate, contact Sandy Soares at ssoares@residentialproperties.com

The RPL Providence office is also getting in on the holiday giving. For the past four years, the office has worked with the Salvation Army on Broad Street to bring gifts to children in need. Organized by agent Sandy Conca, the office has delivered almost everything requested in years past, and looks forward to doing the same in 2011. If you would like to contribute to this initiative, contact Sandy Conca at sconca@residentialproperties.com

The 226th Bristol Parade will no doubt be “A Unique American Experience” and is expected to attract tens of thousands of patriotic Americans who have come to enjoy the oldest Fourth of July Parade in the country. The event will begin at 10:30am and will follow the usual route down Hope Street, with its red, white and blue center traffic line. But be sure to plan ahead, the roads will be closing at 7:00am!

The Arnold Mills 4th of July Parade and Road Race has been a Cumberland tradition for over 80 years, and this year the theme will be “America—Our Home”. The Road Race begins at 9:00am, at the North Cumberland Fire Station. The Parade begins at 11:00am travelling down Nate Whipple Highway from the North Attleboro Line and ending at the Arnold Mills historic village center. The event will be followed by a “Concert on the Green” at 1:00pm.

Founded in 1927, Chepachet’s nationally known Ancients and Horribles Parade is a Rhode Island favorite, with floats that feature traditional patriotic messages as well as satire. The event is an exciting mix of comedy and national pride, and is sure to be a blast. The parade will begin at 4:00pm and will follow the usual route down Putnam Pike.

The Block Island 4th of July Parade will start at Legion Park at 11:30am and will end at the statue of Rebecca in Old Harbor. This is a great way to celebrate the 350 years of Block Island History and attendees can expect lots of live music and terrific floats!

The Snug Harbor Parade in South Kingstown will be led by the Snug Harbor Volunteer Fire Co., who are eager to show off their new 2011 fire engines and rescue boats. This is a parade made for “small town America,” with friendly locals and antique cars; a real “community” event. The parade starts at 6:00pm at Gooseberry Road and Hartford Ave., and a Reviewing Stand will be at the Snug Harbor Marina.

Happy Fourth of July, Rhode Island!

View 4th of July Fireworks in a larger map

We emptied out our conference room and it was turned into a holiday wonderland! All furnishings are on loan from Marianne Mernick-Sullivan at Consignments Ltd. The display was designed by Mary Harrington of At Home Redesigns.  Hats off to Marianne and Mary for a stunning display!

The spirit of giving was shown by a group of agents from our East Greenwich office who have been knitting scarves for the troops since last month.  The scarves were presented to our local recruiters on December 9th to send over to the soldiers in time for the holidays.

Other items were sent along as well, including food, homemade cookies, toiletries, newspapers, magazines, and cards handmade by students from Our Lady of Mercy in East Greenwich and Bay View Academy in East Providence.

Reasons a seller might want to take a house off the market during the holidays:

1. To take a break from maintaining a “showing ready” home.

2. So that they may relax and enjoy the holiday season.

3. So that they may fully decorate for the holiday season (not recommended if keeping one’s house on the market).

4. If there is no urgency or timeframe for the move.

5. So as not to be potentially faced with the possibility of moving during the winter months.

Reasons a seller may want to keep a home on the market:

1. Buyers that are looking at this time of year tend to be more serious and are looking for a house rather than “just looking”.

2. Many people use vacation time near the end of the year and have greater availability to view homes.

3. There are generally fewer properties on the market at this time, and therefore less competition.

4. A house will not sell if it is off the market.

5. If the house has a small yard, it is more likely to be overlooked in the wintertime.

6. The Holidays are not celebrated by all potential buyers.

7. To reap the benefits of prior marketing exposure – those already aware of the property through previous marketing efforts may now be in a better position to take action.

8. Employers relocate employees at all times of the year.

9. To avoid the holding costs of maintaining the property until springtime.

Tips for home maintenance during winter months:

1. Keep spaces as clear as possible. Keep walkways clear and well-lit.

2. Box up items that are not crucial for day-to-day living.

3. Decorate with items that are important holiday traditions but don’t go overboard. It is not effortless for buyers to see themselves in a new home.

4. Keep views clear. Allow potential buyers to view the property from all windows.

5. Make closets and storage spaces including the garage and basement as appealing as possible. A seller can make an investment in garage organizers that can be taken with them to their new home (or purchased by the buyer).

The 38th official Christmas on Bowen’s Wharf is marked by the Lighting of the Christmas Tree at 6 p.m.  The tree will stand majestic as her many branches extend towards the sky, awaiting the glow of her lighting, signifying the commencement of the season.

Also not to be missed is the Holiday Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade by Sail Newport. Large and small vessels decorated with lights, will sail through the harbor for all to view.  Weather permitting, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by boat to great young ones and listen to their individual wishes.

The event is FREE and open to the public.  Meet us at our office at One Bowen’s Wharf, where anticipation and excitement will make you and the wharf come alive.

For some of us, it’s an annual reunion with a couple hundred of our dearest friends; some we’ve known for 20 years and only see for one action-packed week in December.

Now in its 26th year of operation, Adopt-A-Family is a non-profit Rhode Island corporation whose mission is to provide Christmas gifts of toys, games & clothes for needy children in Woonsocket. Sandy Soares, an agent in our Cumberland office, has worked for Adopt-A-Family as Program Coordinator for many years and has been part of the organization since 1990.

Since 1992, 24,692 children have been provided for through the organization’s efforts in a city where 35% of the children live below the poverty level. In 2007 alone, they provided for 2,220 children…enough kids to fill 100 classrooms!

At the time of this writing, the organization has donors for 660 families but they are still looking for donors for an additional 350 families in need. Certainly this year has been a difficult one and many charitable organizations are seeing a big drop-off in contributions.

If you would like to help a family who might be right in your own backyard, contact Sandy Soares at 401.766.2291 ssoares@residentialproperties.com or adoptafamily@cox.net. The last date to “adopt” is December 1.

Photos by: Al Belisle

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