Seeking some clarification on common tax deductions? Look no further than this great article below that demystifies some of the new conundrums presented by recent changes in the tax laws.  With a determined focus there ARE ways to lessen your tax expenses particulary in the areas of real estate and income taxes. Let me know if I can be of any real estate assistance in the year to come! I would love to be of help!

https://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20190201/my-turn-david-bussius-some-big-changes-with-your-taxes

As we close out 2018 and take “stock” of our own personal growth and areas we’d like to improve upon in 2019, it’s a great time to also take a glance at our immediate surroundings to perhaps seize upon some unique opportunities in the year ahead. For myself, it’s real estate opportunities I strive to claim while for others it may be cultural “improvements” or to branch out a bit more socially, intellectualy or otherwise.

Goals such as going to Trinity Rep more often or going on a tour of Blithewold Mansion or the Hereshoff Museum in nearby Bristol, or  going to an art exhibit at RISD, or seeing a Brown exhibit at List Art Center might be ones to add to your “RI To Do” list . Maybe it’s  something adventurous like taking advantage of the outdoor bumper cars in downtown Providence, or  venturing  to a new restaurant or two or three!

Here are some articles to get you there , to take you where you may want to go to embelish your cultural side in 2019! Wherever your adventures take you in 2019 both professionally and personally , I hope they surpass all your preconceived goals!!!

https://www.providencejournal.com/entertainmentlife/20181225/year-in-review-2018-was-another-delicious-year-in-ri-from-brunch-to-cocktails

http://www.explorebristolri.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/arts/museums

https://www.trinityrep.com

https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/arts/bell-gallery/about/about-the-gallery

https://theprovidencerink.com

Looking for some fun weekend actiivites that get you out into the wonderful winter outdoors??? Check out these great suggestions for things to do in and around Providence! Heading to Patriots Place to skate on their outdoor rink is always a big hit in my hockey loving household as is skating on local town/municipal ponds that may be frozen. Be sure to check if they are frozen first!!! Perhaps you might want to take in an Open House?? There are many great homes currently listed throughout Rhode Island. I have been very busy showing buyers homes all over the areas of Smithfield, Lincoln, Scituate, Providence , East Providence and Barrington. With the low inventory and low buying pool, now is a great time to look for a new home! Reach out to me if I can be of any assistance and Happy Holidays!!!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/rhode-island/winter-activities-ri-2/?fbclid=IwAR2jh_bqj4JxLhquw1PbF9fY-QgPRAAV914v59h3yk3zTK8HgbMRXkkon6s

It was another significant month in Rhode Island real estate for October! Just released figures for single family , multi family and condo sales indicate that housing trends in RI continue to remain consistent . In single family homes the price for new listings increased 6% in October while supply decreased from 4.9 months to 4.8 months.  Additionally the median price has risen now for 21 consecutive months while sales activity has decreased for the 8th consecutive month. Although there has been an increase of 6.2% in the amount of single family homes for sale over last year we still continue to have an overall lack of inventory in many price points.  In the multi family department it’s been very busy. I have noticed a big uptick in my multi family clients with many first time home buyers and investors contributing to the 13% increase in closing activity ! The median price of multi family homes has also risen by a whopping 14% in October. In the condo market although the number of condos for sale rose  6.7% in October the median sale price  decreased by 1.2%.  In sum when we look at the month’s real estate activity as a whole the numbers support the finding that key economic indicators remain high. Consumer confidence is up, unemployment is at record low levels, the GDP is up and the stock market continues to remain strong despite some recent volatility. All of this is much in line with the majority of economic forecasters who are theorizing that 2019 will continue to be a strong year in real estate! All the more reason to reach out to me if you are contemplating a real estate move on the buy and /or sell side in the near future. This native Rhode Islander and resident Realtor would love to be of help!!!  Best wishes!

Happy fall! It’s been a busy market in RI and one where I just had my 10th closing, on sales procured during the summer! It’s a great time of year to look back at the market, to look forward and to plan for any spring real estate endeavors. I thought I’d share with you a brief market snapshot of 3rd quarter activity within RI. It’s been a robust quarter with the median sale price of single family homes rising to $275k statewide which is a 3.8% year over year gain for RI real estate! Block Island had the highest median sale price of $1.095 million with the East Side following at a strong $646,000 median sale price. We are in fact seeing a plateau statewide in the number of sales which benefits the market by giving the real estate market a chance to catch up and in so doing alleviating the shortage of homes for sale. We should start to see a greater balance  between buyer demand and seller supply which behooves overall market activity.  In the multi family segment the median sale price increased in RI to $250k which is a 13% increase year over year! In our emerging strong economy nationwide more people are eager to put their money into investments that make sense like real estate. With rising rents and interest rates on the increase rental units are a prime target for savvy investors. I have been receiving a steady increase in the number of buyers out of state looking to invest into multi family units in Providence which supports this theory above. In sum 2019 continues to look like a year of strength and vitality in RI real estate and one I am ramping up daily to prepare my clients for! Please let me know if I can be of any help with buying or selling of property here in RI or MA! I truly love what I do! Please check out some fun , “home- centric” local events featured below, occurring right here in the Ocean State this weekend. Happy fall to all!!!

http://www.providencejournal.com/entertainmentlife/20181107/fine-furnishings-show-back-in-providence-takes-place-this-weekend

https://www.jenksproductions.com/event/providence-fall-home-show/

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 !