Residential Properties Blog » sally lapides

Sally Discusses Buying In Today’s Market

Sally — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:58:41 +0000

As you may know, I’m one of the professionals on the new Fox Providence show The Money Pro$. My last appearance was on the episode about the real estate market, which ran in August. You can catch a replay of my segment on buying in today’s market below.

This Sunday, The Money Pro$ will debut a program on Business Succession Planning. Only 30% of small businesses survive to the second generation, so this is a very relevant issue. Maintaining the continuity of the business for stakeholders including co-owners, employees, family and customers is a major issue for large and small companies, and an important aspect in retaining employment in the state. Owning a family business, the topic is of interest to me. Estate planner Karen DelPonte, Esp. partner at Cameron & Mittleman, LLP., and CPA Greg Porcaro, partner of Otrando Porcaro & Associates, will weigh in on the matter. They will be joined by Russ Towers, Esq. of Broker Service Marketing Group, at the round table discussion.

The Money Pro$ is aired weekly on WNAC 64 at 11:30AM. Check your service provider for the channel locations. As a future programming note, I will soon be in the studio recording the December show. I’ll announce the airing date in the next few weeks.

Here’s a clip from the real estate episode:

Advice: buying in today’s home market: foxprovidence.com

The Money Pro$ provides Southern New England with easily available information on personal finance. If you’re interested in this subject, their website has video from all the episodes, including that of my good friend/radio co-host Steve Tetzner.

Lincoln’s New Condominium Community

Sally — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:16:46 +0000

This week on my radio show, Rich and Steve are in the studio with Max Brickle, CEO and President of The Brickle Group. A third generation industrialist (and grooming a fourth generation), Max runs a consortium of companies that manufacture woolen fabric, polyester fabric, and non-woven materials used in uniforms, blankets, and berets. But on Sunday, he will be wearing his real estate hat—the company also invests in the re-development of land owned through these manufacturing operations and other investments.

Their latest real estate initiative is a residential housing project in Lincoln. Across the street from the pond and land of the same name, Handy Pond is a 55+ condominium community that they developed with a local builder to supply a housing niche that was missing in Lincoln. This adult community is in an almost rural setting, yet it is set along a good access road to major highways. In this development, they focused on high-end housing with a community feel.

The current batch of units should be available within 60 days. They feature multiple floor plans and upgrade options. More information is available on the Handy Pond website, but you can also learn more by tuning into my radio show.

Lost in an Instant

Sally — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:00:16 +0000

I heard a story the other day that got me thinking about things irreplaceable. A family making a cross country move hired a company to transport their items. There is nothing unusual about this decision, people hire moving companies every day. However, during the transport, a wheel blew out on the truck and the driver didn’t notice. The friction of the rubber against the other wheels started a fire, and this burned the back of the vehicle. All of their possessions contained therein were destroyed—family photo albums, important documents and, of course, their furniture. A lifetime worth of belongings were lost in an instant.

This got me thinking about the approaching Hurricane Irene. We may not always know when or how disaster will strike. While we can’t control these types of events, we can assemble safeguards that will protect us in the chance of an emergency. One important defense is insurance. While mainstream in regard to homes and cars, this is often overlooked in terms of possessions. Even on something as commonplace as a move, insurance is paramount.

However, if a relocation involves an item that is especially precious to you, (or you happen to be in the path of a major hurricane) it might be a good idea to move it yourself. This does not extinguish the possibility of fiasco, but I think it might give you more control over the outcome. Insurance will reimburse you the estimated cost for what has been lost, but it can’t replace a lifetime worth of memories.

Out With the Type And In With the Tech

Sally — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:33:37 +0000

One of the traditions that has lasted in this era of modern travel is the distribution of wet towels to passengers who want to clean their hands. Of course, the train porter only does this in the first class car. I suspect this tradition began when travelers with newspapers needed to clean the print off of their hands. The question is, “How long will THIS last?”

I don’t often take a train for business travel. But living in New England with easy access to Amtrak, it can sometimes be a treat to hop on in Providence and three hours later, hop off in New York. I recently did this for a meeting in New Jersey, and my colleague, Tom Flanagan, director of IT at Residential Properties Ltd., brought to my attention the lack of newspapers present on the train. I looked around the car and every single passenger was either reading on an IPad, a computer, or a mobile device. There was not a newspaper in sight. People were getting up-to-date stock quotes, reading national and international news, and checking the latest information on the fallout of the Standard and Poor’s downgrade of the US government debt. Technology is addictive when you can get accurate information on demand.

This inevitably got me thinking about the real estate business. The consumer is on-line getting information on the marketplace every hour of the day. They expect instant access and demand instant answers. To be successful in today’s real estate market, professionals and companies need to adapt to this new technology, and embrace the new ways we receive and provide information.

I am extremely proud of the technology services we provide at Residential Properties Ltd. Since we are always looking for areas of innovation, we are constantly improving our methods to help you buy or sell your home. For instance, we are the only independent Real Estate company in the state to provide clients with Lifestyle Search. This new feature helps to streamline the home buying process by focusing your research on neighborhoods that are ideal for the way you live. Even more, there are website applications which allow us to track our online traffic, giving us the ability to see how many people have even evaluated the properties. In olden times, people would place an ad in the newspaper, and there was no way to tell if anyone even looked at it. Nowadays, we can even tell from what part of the country the people are viewing the listings. This helps us figure out where we can get the most bang for our buck, and how we can get the most exposure to benefit our sellers.

I am truly grateful to work with some great movers and shakers in the field of real estate technology. Sometimes, I do miss the feel and smell of that old grimy newspaper, but then you probably wouldn’t be reading this post.

Real Estate Insight Discusses the Wedding Cake House

Sally — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:45:18 +0000

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.

30th Anniversary Celebration

Tom — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:47:23 +0000

Residential Properties Ltd. continued its 30th anniversary celebration in style at the Chace Center Gallery of the RISD Museum of Art on the East Side of Providence. This most recent event, held on June 7, 2011, featured a private viewing of the current exhibit, “Cocktail Culture”, and a performance by Los Angeles based comedian Beth Lapides of her show “100% Happy 88% of the Time.” Beth is a cousin of our owner, Sally Lapides.

In 1981, Sally and her friend, Liz Chace, had an idea to develop a real estate company that would re-define how business was conducted in Rhode Island. Over the past 30 years, Residential Properties’ commitment to building a top-notch, service oriented business has grown because of our real estate professionals, a full-time relocation department and continual investment in technology.

During the evening, we also premiered the following short video which tells our story – We hope you enjoy it!

Real Estate Insight Discusses Inviting Lincoln Home

Sally — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:32:30 +0000

This week on my radio show, Steve and I will be in the studio with Chris Hannifan, executive director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island. This organization is a state association of 20 non-profit community development corporations. Founded in 1992, the Housing Network’s members have created thousands of affordable-housing units throughout the state and initiated a number of revitalization efforts in neighborhoods across Rhode Island. We will also speak with an agent in our Cumberland Office, John Bessette, who will be featuring a great affordable home in Lincoln.

Located in the desirable Saylesville Highlands, this 3 bedroom Cape is charming, inviting and well-maintained. The living room has hardwoods, a fireplace, and lots of natural sunlight, which brings a sense of cheerfulness to the space. The kitchen is cute with hardwoods and a yellow color palette. This feel is continued in the dining room, where large glass doors add light and space to the room, opening to a sizable deck, which makes for the perfect summertime destination. The master suite is cozy and has skylights and a sunken tub.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped and would be ideal for those who enjoy gardening.

Lincoln is a scenic town in Northern Rhode Island, located on the Blackstone River. Chase Farm is a beautifully preserved historic dairy farm in that is now a green space and is used for a variety of the towns outdoor activities. The town is also home of one of the areas great treasures, Lincoln Woods, which offers activities such as swimming at the fresh water beach, trout fishing, hiking, horseback riding or just relaxing in the shade.

More information on the home and the area can be found on the Residential Properties website.

See the Historic Homes of Providence

Sally — Sat, 21 May 2011 15:00:07 +0000

This week on my radio show, Steve and I will be in the studio with James Brayton Hall, Executive Director of the Providence Preservation Society. James is joining us to speak about the upcoming Festival of Historic Houses, which takes place on June 3rd and 4th. Focusing on the Blackstone Boulevard area, this self-guided house tour offers a glimpse into some of the private houses that give “the Boulevard” its rich history and sense of grandeur. In addition, Holly Applegate, manager of our Cumberland Office, will showcase 2 George Street, a spectacular property located in the heart of Historic College Hill.

The Providence Preservation Society’s Festival of Historic Homes has been a Providence favorite for the past 32 years. Each Spring, this city-wide preservation organization opens selected historic homes to the public, allowing locals to enjoy the remarkable real estate that makes Providence unique. Recent tours have been based in areas such as the West Side’s Stimson Avenue, and the Wayland Square and Fox Point neighborhoods on the East Side. In fact, my home was featured in 2008! This year’s event is especially exciting because the Boulevard is a highly visible area in Providence, due to the popular walking path that extends down the center. For more information on this upcoming event, visit the Providence Preservation Society website.

Attesting to its worth, 2 George Street has also been on several of the PPS walking tours. Built at perhaps the best location on the entire East Side, this home is right at the heart of one of Providence’s most popular cultural hubs. Set at the corner of Benefit and George Streets, the property is within walking distance to downtown, Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Providence Art Club, the RISD Art Museum, and the Providence Athenaeum, as well as the Hope and University Clubs. The home was built it 1814 for Eliza Ward by her father and this spectacular brick Georgian has been beautifully preserved inside and out. With unique attributes such as antique French hand-painted wallpaper and a beautiful courtyard, the property is truly one of a kind. These are only some of the many merits of 2 George Street, but you can view the whole list on the property’s website.

Real Estate Insight Discusses Everything Relocation

Sally — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:19:40 +0000

This week on my radio show, Rich and Steve are in the studio with Elizabeth Messier, Director of the Residential Properties Ltd. Corporate Services and Relocation Department. Moving can often be a daunting task, and the client services provided by our Relocation Team can help make your move much less stressful.

Our Relocation Professionals are licensed, non-selling real estate agents who assist individuals and corporations move to or from Rhode Island. Besides working with your company’s relocation package, the department can connect you to one of our preferred mortgage professionals, arrange a community tour, and inform you about our rentals and temporary housing options. This team knows more than just houses; they will assist you with every aspect of your move, from finding a new pediatrician to choosing the right home and neighborhood.

As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, our relocation team has the connections to acquaint you with the top professionals anywhere in the world. So, if you are leaving our state, let us coordinate the introduction to those agencies in the area to where you are moving, whether that is across the country, to a nearby state, or internationally.

We also highlighted a wonderful property listed by Bettina Monaco in West Warwick. Located in the desirable Greenbush area, this raised ranch is a must see. Located off a quiet, winding road this home has two full levels of living and provides easy access to local shopping and entertainment. The upstairs features a very open floor plan while the downstairs would make an exceptionable in-law sweet or home office. Those who love summer entertaining will make great use of the two spacious decks, which provide a haven on a warm summer evening.

If you would like more information on this property, the home will be open to the public on Sunday, May 1 from 2:00-3:30PM.

Real Estate Insight Discusses Waterfront Haven in Conimicut

Sally — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:14:04 +0000

This week on my radio show, I’ll be in the studio with Billy Whitty from Homestar Mortgage and Architect Lisa Foster from Reconstructure LLC. Coming from a Providence based interior architecture and design firm, Lisa will discuss how an architect can add value to a remodeling project, and the importance of design. In addition, Rich Morin, an agent from our East Greenwich Office, will feature a great listing on the water in Conimicut.

This gorgeous, fully updated home on the water in Conimicut is a truly special property. Five to six years ago, the house was completely gutted and remodelled to showcase the stunning views of Narragansett Bay.

With an open floor plan, stainless appliances, hardwoods and new windows, this property is perfect whether entertaining or relaxing. The downstairs could be used for single level living, but the upstairs bedrooms are desirable as well; boasting fireplaces, water views, and a large upper deck.

Conimicutt is a historic bayside village that strives to provide an aesthetically pleasing, safe and active living environment for residents. With a quaint but thriving village center and a close proximity to historic Pawtuxet Village, this spot is one of Rhode Island’s hidden gems. Close to T.F. Green and an easy commute to downtown Providence, Conimicut provides an oasis for individuals who desire a life surrounded by natural resources.

Rich Morin has extensive experience in construction and investment properties, and has been involved in various aspects of real estate and home building for over 20 years. He is also involved with Legacy Custom Homes, a company which emphasizes green building practices. Although he grew up in Lincoln, Richard currently lives in East Greenwich with his wife and two daughters.