Internet Technology

I do not consider myself particularly tech savvy. I can spend hours and hours looking up different things and ways to do things on the web and then promptly forget them as soon as I start something else. However, I do have a blog or two or three:) Does this make me ahead of the game? Don't know. I believe that in the near future, blogs will be as old hat as emails and we will be on to something new. Meanwhile, there are so many things I can use my blogs for as a Realtor.

One, I can upload photographs and listing information that can be read instantly worldwide! That alone is a major tool for a Realtor!

Two, I can write whatever I feel like writing any time I feel like writing.

Three, I can have as many blogs as I want. One for every little interest. I could even have one for every listing if I wanted to.

Four, I can publish an invitation to all my friends via one of my blogs and they can all respond instantly. Blogs are almost better than email, except they are not private.

I can also share photos, link to other blogs or websites or quotes, the list is endless. I seriously do not know how I existed before blogdom!

Please take a moment to puruse my listings on this blog and email me if you have any interest.

Also, if you are looking to buy in Rhode Island, drop me a line or comment here, if you like.

Save your home!

If you are in trouble on your mortgage payments due to having bought a home with an ARM mortgage and now your new payments are coming due, you need to read this article written by fellow Active Rainer , Aaron Gordon Mortgage Banker on the new guidelines from HUD. It may save your home. Here is the article This article explains the way it will work, who will be qualified and provides links to Hud. Good Luck.

Why Isn't my Home Selling?

For the many, many home owners out there with their homes languishing on the market and wondering why their home is not selling. Here are some tips. Top of the line tip: Your house is overpriced! Whether you are pricing it yourself or you have a Realtor, look at the actual comparables of houses that sold in the last three months that are close to your neighborhood and similar in style, size and condition to your home. Next, check out what is also for sale in your neighborhood. Put yourself in the buyers seat and look at all the homes for sale. Why would they choose your house?

After you are satisfied with your price, you now need to look at the "appeal" and condition of your home. Does it show well? When someone drives by, do they think "That's a nice house"? Or do they not notice it at all? Or worse, do they think "what a rat trap"? All these thoughts are what makes a buyer automatically put a "mental price" on your home. You want them to hear the price and think "What a great deal"! I need to move on this one.

And last, but not least, a sign in front of the house, while it will catch some buyers, is not the only thing you should be doing to advertise. If you have a Realtor, then he/she will automatically be doing everything possible to get your home advertised, but if you are doing it on your own, you need to advertise everywhere you can, both on the internet and in local classifieds.

While this is not a "standard" buyers market. (The prices have not gone down enough) It is definitely not a sellers market and you need to do whatever you can to promote your home. Happy Selling. Feel free to email me with your questions/concerns.

Making Realty a Reality

Rhode Island Real Estate

What happened to Real Estate in Rhode Island? We all know about the Mortgage loans that dissappeared. The foreclosure rate has escalated and people are moving out of their homes. Where are they going? I happen to know that a lot of peope are moving to apartments. The reason I know this is because I sell REO homes. These are homes that have already been foreclosed and are now owned by the Banks that held the mortgage. Some of these homes are good buys for the first time homebuyer who wants to build a little sweat equity. Yes, some REO's are a waste of time and only good to a builder due to the lack of plumbing, heating and windows. However, if you are patient and keep looking, you can find some real gems. Also, when a builder buys one of these houses, he/she goes through the entire house and beleive me, these homes are like brand new! I have one on the market now that is a shadow of its' former self. So while a lot is going on in this market, and a lot of rumors, people are still moving around for various reasons. The Real Estate Market will always be around. We all need a place to live.

Great family home in West Warwick, RI PENDING!!!

3 Bedroom home for sale in West Warwick, Rhode Island

This is a Bank Owned home priced under normal market value, waiting for your personal touches. It needs a minimum amount of work. Painting, etc.... Pull up the rugs and expose hardwoods. Make this your new home with your creativeness and build some sweat equity. Offered at $190,500. Bring prequalification letter and make an offer.

Check out the Virtual tour

Warwick home for sale $215000

Totally rebuilt home, in the heart of Conimicut, Warwick, Rhode Island

Builder spared nothing and includes extra lot. Move right in, like Brand new!

Please go to this link to see a Virtual tour of this delightful home with Central Air and hardwoods. See Virtual Tour

Tall Ships come to Newport Rhode Island

Yesterday I had the privilege of being entertained, fed and hosted onboard our good friends Joe and Peg's lovely yacht.

We arrived just beyond the Jamestown Bridge and set anchor preparing to spend our day watching the Tall Ships.

We had heard they were starting at 12 but from our vantage point, it was much later, around 1:30 before they started coming into view under the bridge. I took a zillion photos, but can't post them all here. So here are a couple and the rest will be on my ricoast blog and some on my Active Rain blog.

The weather cooperated nicely as it was an absolutely gorgeous day. Although watching the Tall Ships from afar is not as exciting as being up close (so you can hear the marching band music), it is still a thrill to view them as they parade in majestic magnificence around the island, swamping in size and detail the zillion boats of all shapes and sizes that swarmed around them.

It's not only seeing the Tall Ships, its being a part of all the other boats in Narragansett Bay, enjoying the sun and just having a great day. Thankyou Joe and Peg!