Selling Your Property in a Tough Market Part One

August 11, 2011

Filed under: Real Estate Trends
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Bill

In today’s tumultuous real estate market, selling your home can seem like an especially daunting task. Perusing market reports may tell part of the story, but what they don’t tell you is the importance of a solid marketing strategy. More than ever, owners need to be aware of how they are marketing their home. Using all the tools available to you will make the home sell. Interestingly, statistics show that staged homes sell faster and for more money.

Staging is an essential marketing tool that Realtors can use to differentiate clients houses from the competition. The way people live in their home is very different from the way a home needs to look in order to sell for top dollar. Staging a home can make the property appeal to a broader range of potential buyers; since homes look more appealing in listing photos, more showings will be generated. Our Barrington agent Kirsten Dangremond and Providence agent Jeffrey Lima are experts in home staging, and their work has often led to lower Days On Market and a higher Selling Price.

The staging process can include rearranging furniture, improving space utilization, adding or changing use of color, and possibly adding or removing furniture. Realtors are selling wall and floor space, not a seller’s personal items, so anything a stager can do to make a house as neutral and appealing as possible is definitely worth doing.  It’s actually a fun process if the seller understands the reasons why staging is so critical.

Remember to leave enough time to work on this process. There may be suggestions for some minor repairs which require lead time for other trade professionals.

Runners Start Your Engines!

August 4, 2011

Filed under: Providence
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Bill

This Sunday, August 7th, Providence will be “rocked” by the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. The race starts  and ends at the statehouse, and the course loops around the East Side and DownCity. But this isn’t your average half marathon. Combining athletics, music, and culture, bands will be stationed at every mile of this 13.1 mile course, entertaining runners and spectators alike as they tread down some of the most scenic, and historic, streets in Providence. A special treat  awaits at the finish line, where the popular band Sugar Ray greets participants with their classic tunes. It has been reported that 10,000 or more runners have registered for the event.

The music every mile will be performed live by Providence bands, featuring a variety of music—from alternative to classic rock, punk, funk, and blues. Weather permitting, this is sure to be a perfect summer weekend. The race kicks off at 7:00AM and Sugar Ray will be performing at the Statehouse from 9:30AM to 11:00AM. More information can be obtained on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon website.

Dad’s Favorite Spots

June 18, 2011

Filed under: Providence,northern ri
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Bill

With the United States celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday, and recent events for Boston’s professional teams, like the Bruins’ Stanley Cup win on Wednesday, or the current Red Sox’ streak of wins, is there ever a better time to feature prime spaces to kick back and watch the game? That’s right, we’ve scoured our current inventory of homes to find fantastic media/recreation rooms. (I’ll stay politically correct and not use the colloquial term.) Some of these have made our property videos, and here are some favorites.

The luxurious and classic is the Billiard Room.  We found one in Cumberland and the current owners have furnished this room with a pool table (thus the label “Billiard Room”).  However, the space has wooden detailing with exquisite built-ins, perfectly sized for a big screen TV and the space could have many uses.

A similar atmosphere can be found in Smithfield. Here, a finished basement offers a spacious Great Room and Home Theater. The Great Room has an elegantly crafted built-in wet bar, which is why the current owners chose to mount plasma TVs in the room and furnish it with a poker table. In the theater section, a movie screen drops from the ceiling with the press of a button which highlights some some great gadgetry.

And over on the East Side of Providence, we found a recreational sanctuary in a basement in the form of an enormous Club Room and Media Room/Home Theater. The Club Room has beautiful wooden detailing and moldings as well as a wet bar. Of course, there is the ubiquitous plasma TV over the exquisite fireplace – an excellent idea. The theater has as large a screen as possible for the room, and the electronics are neatly stored in built-in cabinetry. The dimmer controlled lighting over movie posters is a great touch.

These are well done spaces, but wherever your favorite spot is, let’s hope you have a great weekend.

Real Estate Insight Discusses the Wedding Cake House

June 13, 2011

Filed under: EastSide
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Sally

Last week on my radio show, Rich, Steve and I were in the studio with the latest market update. We were joined by John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause RI who talked about his concerns regarding the formation of a commission to oversee the land reclaimed from 195 relocation. Peter Killmartin, the state attorney general, objected to the fact that the bill grants absolute power to the commission, without any oversight by the State Properties Committee. Common Cause is sponsoring a community forum about the land legislation this evening at The Spot Underground on 15 Elbow Street in Providence. We will also hear from Nelson Taylor, an agent in our Providence Office, who will be showcasing a delightful property in Providence.

189 Hope Street, a property known by many for its wedding cake resemblance, has a certain creative flair that is unusual to Second Empire houses in Providence. The architectural detailing is exquisite, with ornate molding throughout that reminds one of frosted elegance. Built in 1877 for Horatio N Campbell, this 8000 sq ft home in the heart of Brown combines the intricate design of our forefathers with the convenience of today. For more information on the home, contact the Taylor Group.

The Taylor Group is Nelson Taylor, Chris Wall and Bethany Calitri who collectively offer more than 15 years of local experience. A dynamic team of residential and commercial real estate agents, The Taylor Group values their ability to collaborate as a diverse team, offering their clients a wide range of experience, a broad base of knowledge and the keenest negotiating skills possible.

A Refuge from the Summertime Heat

June 7, 2011

Filed under: EastBay,EastSide,SouthCounty,WestBay,northern ri
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Bill

During the hustle and bustle of the school year, it can be easy to forget the pleasures of reading. But as your days become less hectic over Summer Break, it’s important to remember the many organizations that help make reading more enjoyable—the public libraries. Libraries across the state feature Book Clubs, Lectures, Movie Nights and Events, and we thought it might be nice to highlight the unique, creative opportunities for community involvement.

For those living in the West Bay, the North Kingstown Free Library will hold their June Breakfast with Books on Friday June 17th, which looks like a great event for both book and food lovers. The East Greenwich Free Library will hold the kid-friendly Lego Day on Saturday, June 18th.

For those living in the East Bay, the Barrington Public Library will feature Literary Speed Networking events for adults as well as Classic Films on the Big Screen, while the George Hail Free Library in Warren will feature a Teen Film Series.

Northern Rhode Island’s Libraries also offer some interesting opportunities, such as Thursday Afternoon Chess and the MOMS Club of Cumberland at the Cumberland Public Library. The Lincoln Public Library features a multitude of Computer Classes and will be holding a Childrens Summer Luau on June 22nd.

In South County, workshops on topics like Easy Lawn Care at the Kingston Free Library are popular with locals. The Westerly Public Library holds frequent Children’s Concerts by the Westerly Town Band, but will be having a Victorian Garden Party on June 25th, which seems like the perfect event to kick-off the summer .

The Providence Public Library, located downtown, has 9 additional Community Libraries scattered throughout the city, and thus holds a multitude of events that are geared towards the communities served. From Parent Workshops to Offbeat Movie Musicals, there is always something going on at one of the branches.

Whether you join a book club, take out a book, or are just looking for a quiet place to read, Rhode Island public libraries can provide a refuge from the summertime heat. These organizations foster an educational tradition in our communities, and help make Rhode Island a great place to live.