This time of year is one in which we all tend to “take stock”….of our investments, our careers and seek to gain insight on what’s to come in the year ahead financially. By looking at the economy we are able to get a sense of the vitality of the real estate market. The fact that economists believe the US economy is on its strongest roll ever makes all of us involved with real estate very excited. Why the feeling of optimism regarding the economy and its trickle effect on the real estate market?It’s because of factors such as the return of high paying jobs, new career opportunities, high employment and lower taxes currently taking place here in the United States that fortify this  optimistic view of the real estate market in the year ahead.

Another factor we can expect to see that will affect our real estate market positively is the growing number of foreign property investors. Now more than ever our growing economy and strong housing market will attract said property investors.

For more insight on the factors leading to a prediction of a strong real estate market in the year ahead click on the link below. As always please reach out to me if I can be of any help with selling real estate or buying for personal use or as an investment. It’s going to be a stellar year!

https://www.mashvisor.com/blog/us-housing-market-predictions-2019/

When you put your home up for sale, one of the best ways to determine the asking price is to look at comparable sales. There’s rarely a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, so a pricing decision often relies on comparisons to several recent sales in the area. Here are five criteria to look for in a sales comparison.

1. Location: Homes in the same neighborhood typically follow the same market trends. Comparing your home to another in the same neighborhood is a good start, but comparing it to homes on the same street or block is even better.
2. Date of sale: It varies by location, but housing markets can see a ton of fluctuation in a short time period. It‘s best to use the most recent sales data available.
3. Home build: Look for homes with similar architectural styles, numbers of bathrooms and bedrooms, square footage, and other basics.
4. Features and upgrades: Remodeled bathrooms and kitchens can raise a home’s price, and so can less flashy upgrades like a new roof or HVAC system. Be sure to look for similar bells and whistles.
5. Sale types: Homes that are sold as short sales or foreclosures are often in distress or sold at a lower price than they’d receive from a more typical sale. These homes are not as useful for comparisons.Pricing a home for sale is something I take very seriously and exert an incredible amount of research into.  Pricing a home at market value and supporting that price via the unparralleled reach that a Sotheby’s International Realty listing offers gives a seller the maximum opportunity to obtain not only a lucrative sale price but a timely one as well!!! Reach out to me if you are thinking of selling a home now or in the future. I’d love to meet with you to discuss the steps we can take now to get your home market ready !

Who would have thought that this summer would entail 5 listings for this very happy Realtor?? It truly has been by far the most rewarding time period of my career.  Although it meant I never stepped foot on a beach I thoroughly  relished the non stop activity , interaction and advocacy on behalf of my clients.  Pre listing preparation meant many hours spent on my computer gleaming the latest comps and market insight as well as detailed work with my clients to ensure their home was primed and ready for the marketplace. Bringing in my favorite handyman to target areas that needed tweaking on the properties as well as picking up a rake , window cleaner and the vacuum and prepping the homes myself meant very busy , client focused days.  Watching the market closely to see what homes were moving , which ones were not always with an eye on my client’s property to be sure we were listed at a market value price.  With listings in Barrington, East Providence ( Rumford and Riverside ) and  Pawtucket my market lens has been constant and full force.  Working with my buying clients has also kept me busy with 3 purchases on the buying side as well ! As a former teacher it truly is the helping part of real estate that I adore. Educating my clients on the current market , advocating for them , counseling them and helping them through the process every step of the way is truly why I adore being a Realtor ! Busiest summer and happiest of summers for this agent and one in which I truly needed to employ the “Huard Hustle “ on the Daily !

As our housing market heats up and I meet daily with clients thinking of listing their home the question that continues to surface is “ What can I do to improve my value ?”  The discussion then becomes one of minor changes or enhancements that can be made to that of the bigger “fixes” or renovations that can be engaged upon to boost the value of the home   Presenting one’s home in not only the best light possible but the most financially rewarding way possible always being the ultimate goal   Whether it’s simple fixes like swapping hardware or switch plates to a new coat of paint or tweaking the current decor , many many little fixes can result in huge rewards   In the end, drawing in a greater pool of buyers and ultimately a higher sale price can be the result of such proactive actions on behalf of the seller! Below is a great list of many minor and not so minor improvements that can bring a great return on investment come sale time ! Let me know if I can assist you in brainstorming about ways we can boost the value your home and get it market ready !!

https://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/top-home-updates-that-pay-off-pictures

What an honor it is to be the featured family in my hometown circular “The Water’s Edge”. Truly touched to have my family highlighted! Living and selling real estate in the town I grew up in and all throughout my home state of R.I. is a daily gift !!! The day ended on a super high note with an “Offer Accepted” declared on behalf of my incredible clients !!!! It’s a busy spring market and I truly couldn’t be happier doing what I do in the Ocean State !

Our current buyers know what they want and it truly takes a determined Realtor to find it!!! With inventory at record lows and our ” 3 bed, 2 bath with a garage and updated kitchen buyers” out in abundance, it takes diligent searching to find properties that match our abundant buying pool needs. Daily searching at what is on market as well as what is coming on is critical in order to best serve our buyers. It’s so interesting to me how having a garage trumps having an updated kitchen and open concept design by 27% of buyers polled. I truly love working ” for” my buyers and am up early checking the market to find options for their perusal.  I’m a firm believer in the notion that what is meant to be will be and that if you work relentlessly at meeting the needs of your buyers and your sellers both sides can and will have their real estate vision realized! Fortunately for me, the inner athlete loves the inhernet challenge of real estate and the strategic, competiive element. It truly is an honor and a priviledge to work on behalf of my incredible clients ! So buyers??? Keep “serving ” up your requests and must haves and I will be sure to return that serve with a winning shot!!!

Click on the link below for some further insight on what today’s buyers are looking for in a home and as always please reach out to me if I can be of any real estate assistance in MA or RI!

http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2018/04/02/spring-buyers-want-type-house?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DailyRealEstateNews+%28Daily+Real+Estate+News%29

Rhode Island has become, over the years , a food mecca. Well known, highly acclaimed chefs now coming to our little Providence to create some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the area. Whether it’s the big named spots like Al Fornos, known for their phenomenal grilled pizza, or Hemenways – the go to spot for seafood, Rhode Island is also home to some of the most iconic, small town, beach side eateries around.  Whether it’s a delicacy from a local diner or famous clam cakes from a coastal shack, Little Rhody has it ALL~~ Click on the link below to “dig into” some of the local eats that have garnered nationwide attention cast right here on Rhode Island! While you are here taking in some clam chowder or an Awful Awful, reach out to me and let me show you around to some special spots to reside at. Who knows, you may be choose to stay a while!!!!

https://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/packages/best-food-in-america/photos/what-to-eat-in-rhode-island

It’s eclectic….It’s charming…..It’s diverse…..It’s unique…..It’s on the cusp of reinvention …..It’s kept it’s historical value…It’s Providence… Come to Providence as this article below beckons and stay awhile. Come eat at some of the finest restaurants on the East Coast and take in our emerging craft beer scene continuously bringing in some of the best hops around at The Guild in Pawtucket….Head to Federal Hill and enjoy some of the best Italian food found anywhere. All right here in walkable, bike-able*, hip, happening Providence. Visit on a Saturday night and take in Waterfire down by my office at Water Place Park!  Take a walking tour up by my Alma Mater on College Hill and take in some essential New England Architectural beauty found along Benefit Street and Prospect St. Enjoy a coffee along Wickenden St or take in a movie sitting on a couch at the famous Cable Car Cinema. Head over to my favorite city parts – Elmwood and The Armory District and see Victorians, wall art and eat authentic cuisine at the numerous “markets” found sprinkled along Broadway in the West End. Take in a performance at the Performing Arts Center and then nosh on some late night eats at the renowned Haven Brothers food truck in Downtown PVD….

Come to Providence and see her charm, her innate beauty and then reach out to me so that I can show you a property or two..Heck , you may never leave like this RI born and bred Realtor can attest to!!! Here’s to our beloved PVD of old and of “new”…. A city wrapped tightly in her ways of old yet slowly morphing into something quite magnificent!

* http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180319/rentable-smartbikes-coming-soon-to-providence

https://www.vogue.com/article/where-to-eat-drink-find-art-in-providence-rhode-island-travel-guide

                                       7 home maintenance tasks sellers must do before listing

Proactive is the buzzword when addressing both cosmetic and mechanical components of a listing. If you are thinking of listing your home now is the time to tackle these practical and “listing imperative” home maintenance projects!  I’ve been meeting with several clients thinking of listing their homes all around RI the past few weeks and would love to meet with you to come up with a game plan! Please reach out to me at 401 255 2578 and I will be happy to come do a consultation. With sales in Newport, Barrington, Rumford and Providence I truly love engaging in real estate ALL around this spectacular state! Give me a call and we can put together a game plan!

Spruce up the exterior

Curb appeal…it’s more than just a buzz word as the exterior is the first thing a buyer will see whether online or driving by. Now is the time to make sure it looks its best.

Walk around the entire exterior of the home, and conduct an assessment.

Consider pressure washing, painting, having the windows cleaned, cleaning out gutters, trimming back any overgrown or dead landscaping, cleaning the front door and changing out any worn door hardware that may look old and corroded. And make sure the front doorbell actually works!

Service the heating/cooling system

A home inspector is going to check this anyway, so be ahead of the game  by having the system serviced and cleaned. It’s better to take care of any repairs that may need addressing now versus waiting until a buyer decides to make an offer.

Do a light bulb check

Make sure all of the lightbulbs are working and free of dirt and debris. Don’t forget to check the outdoor lights as well.

Check the smoke detectors

Now is the time to make sure that all smoke detectors are working and have new batteries. Replace any old ones as an inspector is likely to flag those during a home inspection and recommend that they be replaced.

Blue tape it

Conduct a thorough walk through of the interior of the home. If there are any nicks, dents or scratches on the walls and moldings, blue tape them so sellers can go through and have each area repaired.

The more wear and tear a home appears to have, the more the buyer is going to chip away at the asking price.

Deep clean, declutter and depersonalize.

Now is the time to give the home that deep clean it needs. Consider hiring a cleaning crew to tackle this; the more hands, the better.

Deep cleaning means wiping down all of the baseboards and moldings and cleaning cabinets, appliances (including the oven) and every corner from top to bottom including light fixtures and ceiling fans.

It’s also a good time to gather all those unwanted closet items together to donate as well as any unused furniture and decor. The less stuff in the house, the less there is to organize and keep clean. Similarly the less personlized the home the better as far as a potential sale goes.  Once our outstanding photographs have captured our online viewers ( 90 % of buyers begin online) and they step foot into your home we desire a space in which they can envision themeselves living.  A living room where the buyer can see his or herself sitting down to read a book, or watch a Patriots game….a kitchen where the spacious, clutter free island invites thoughts of homework acitivities and family meals….. We want to present to the buyers a clean, tidy, distraction free ” canvas” from which a buyer can envision writing his or her own story….

Clear out the garage

Often overlooked when preparing a home for sale, don’t forget this space. Make sure the garage is clean, in good repair, organized and that you can actually walk through it.

Consider painting the floor or having an epoxy finish put down. Take a look up at the ceiling as well because also look up when touring this space, so make sure any drywall cracks or loose seams are repaired.

Buyers recognize and appreciate homes that have been taken care of. Taking some time to invest in home maintenance before selling will likely yield a big payoff when it becomes offer time.

As I took this photo below this morning the feel , smell and excitement of spring is truly in the air! I’m excited , motivated and enthusiastic about the potential stellar sales in the spring market forecast here in RI for all of my clients! Reach out to me so that we can come up with a game plan for your beloved home should a listing be on your spring or summer ” to do ” list!  All the best, Sarah