How to Winterize the Interior of Your Home

We know, it’s that time of year again. Long gone are the 90 degree days and afternoons spent at the beach. So as we take our mittens out of storage and start our annual celebration of sweater weather, should we not guard our homes the same way we do our being? With another Nor’easter right around the corner, the time has come to prepare our homes for the upcoming season.

We have compiled this list of 4 Ways to Winterize Your Home’s Interior to aid you in this annual practice.


1. Prevent Heat Escaping and Cold Air Entering

Start by replacing all window screens with storm windows. You will then want to caulk both sides of the trim, so that cold air won’t be able to get through the cracks. For an extra layer of protection, buy a window isolation kit from your local hardware store.
The crack between a door and it’s frame is one of the major ways that cold air can enter your home, so don’t forget to place weatherstripping around those openings as an extra precaution. Also, remember to inspect your windows, walls and doors for cracks. The cold can enter your home through any opening, so you will want to seal all gaps, no matter how small.

2. Heating System Maintenance

Since it’s still somewhat warm out, now is a good time to hire a qualified professional to conduct your annual heating system inspection.
If you have forced hot air heating, make sure that your ducts are well insulated. To make air flow more effective, you should repair places where pipes are pinched and fix gaps with metal-backed tape. Dusty ducts can cause respiratory problems, so it is a good idea to vacuum your duct-work. Also, you will want to replace all of your old furnace filters with new ones and remember to change them monthly throughout the season. If you don’t already have one, now might be a good time to install a digital thermostat.

3. Prevent Freezing Pipes

In the winter, no one wants gallons of water spilling throughout their home. To prevent any possible plumbing freezes, you should make sure that all piping (especially in the basement, attic or garage) is properly insulated. If not, you can cover the pipes with commercial products. If your AC has a shut-off valve, you need to turn it off before the cold weather sets in. When the temperature is below freezing, it is critical that you leave the heat on to at least 55 degrees or your pipes may be susceptible to burst.

4. Protect Yourself

While you may not have to replace them (detectors last for up to 10 years), this is the perfect time to make sure that all of your smoke detectors are working smoothly. But don’t just press the button, test them with a small bit of smoke. In addition, it is recommended that you change the batteries.

Make sure that you have easy access to a fire extinguisher at all times. Also, it may also be a good idea to invest in a Carbon Monoxide detector. Although home emergencies can be devastating in any season, these obstacles are especially daunting in the wintertime.

Thesw steps to winterize the interior of your will help ensure the safety and durability of your household in the upcoming season. While we can never know the exact conditions that the weather may thrust upon us, we can at least do our part to prepare our homes for harsh circumstances.

Own a Piece of History--New Price $299,900

SOLD!! 11 Maple Rock Road, Foster, RI

1823 Daniel Potter House
$299,900

The Daniel Potter house is listed in the Statewide Historical Preservation Report of the RI Historical Preservation Commission. A Cape with post and beam construction, this 3-bed, 2-bath house sits on 14+ acres plus there is an adjacent 5-acre lot also available.

The keeping room fireplace has a beehive oven. With wide board wainscoting in the keeping room, some additional original details are doors with thumb latches, wideboard floors in upstairs bedrooms, hand-hewn roofbeam with wooden pegs, and lathe and plaster walls.

The kitchen was remodeled in 1999 with custom cherry cabinets and birch floor. There is a 10x32 screened porch off the kitchen. Property includes flower beds, organic vegetable gardens and a shed.

Visit Antique Homes Magazine

Virtual Tour

History and Comfort in This 1780 Colonial Reduced to $749,900

NEW PRICE!

103 Broad Street,

Rehoboth, Massachusetts
$749,900

Built four years after the end of the American Revolution, this 1780 Colonial Estate has comfort and history. Beautifully restored including a renovated granite/cherry kitchen plus two modern baths, this 12-room house has many original details throughout including wainscoting, dental and crown molding and pine wide-plank floors.

With 3,159 square feet of living space, there are five beds and two baths. Electric, plumbing, roof, well pump, and septic were all replaced within the last 8 years. In a picturesque setting with hand-built stone walls, huge well-built barn, two-car garage and several other outbuildings this home is pleasantly warm and inviting.

The former Blanding Farm, this property is near the Seekonk line and only 10 minutes to downtown Providence and 55 minutes to Logan Airport in Boston.

For more information and to see the virtual tour visit 103BroadStreet.com

Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Neighborhood

1. Visit the house and neighborhood at varied times

The street may seem fine during the day but it could be totally different at night. You should also visit at different times a day to check what the traffic is like. Visit during an afternoon during rush hour as well as different days of the week.

2. Consider the costs of commuting

The costs of a long commute can really add up, not only in gas and maintenance but in time spent on the road when you could be home with family.

3. Ask questions of people who already live there

Don’t be afraid to walk around a neighborhood and speak to people you see on the street. Most are more than happy to talk about their opinions of neighborhood safety, noise, school performance, commuting times, etc. Especially if you are considering buying a condo, walk around to get a feeling about the people who live there.

4. The Internet is an excellent tool for research

NeighborhoodScout.com, for example, is a subscription service that offers in-depth looks at such considerations as crime statistics (for 17,000 law-enforcement jurisdictions), school-performance data, and quarterly price-appreciation records of area homes.

5. Neighborhood characteristics

NabeWise.com has taken 65 "quality of life" characteristics and set them up as criteria for neighborhood-hunters.

As always, if you have any questions about Rhode Island real estate, call me at 401-338-5102.

Single Family Home Sales and Prices Increase in June

The number of sales and median price of single family homes increased in June according to statistics released today by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.

Eight hundred and ninety-seven (897) single family homes were sold last month, far surpassing the 667 sales of the previous month. Sales were up 11 percent from the June 2009 level of 805.

Median price rose five percent from a year ago to $220,000, and just over 10 percent from May's median price of $199,900. With the exception of February of this year which saw a small decline in sales, the number of sales has increased year over year every month for the past 15 months and median price has increased since November 2009.

While statistics show that sales volume historically jumps significantly from May to June, it appears that the tax credit originally set to expire in June was also a factor in larger than normal gains from month to month.

For more information, read the full story here.

With interest rate at their lowest in 35 years, the time to buy is now before prices rise.

As always, if you have any questions about Rhode Island real estate, call me at 401-338-5102.

Providence Restaurant Week

Do you often look at an ad or sign for a restaurant you've never been to and say "We need to go there sometime." Well, here's your opportunity to try a new place and maybe find a new favorite

Providence Restaurant Weeks 2010 will be held July 11-24. Choose from more than 90 Restaurants who will be offering:

$12.95 for a three-course lunch
$29.95 for a three-course dinner

Go to the website and click on the restaurant name to view menus and make reservations.

Bon Appetit!

Congress Approves Tax Credit Extension

After a close brush with the deadline, Congress has passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623).

The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not yet closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension the new closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30, 2010. There is will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law.

Additionally, the United States Senate has passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569) an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. This will allow transactions to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapse period from June 1, 2010 to the date of enactment of the extension.

Mortgage Rates Hit An All-Time Low

Average interest on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to an all-time low of 4.69 percent this week, down from 4.75 percent a week ago, reports Freddie Mac.

Although rates have held below 5 percent since early May, Michael Fratantoni of the Mortgage Bankers Association notes that demand for purchase loans has fallen in six of the past seven weeks and now is at a 13-year low. Consumers have grown used to low rates, he explains, adding that they balk at buying because they are more concerned about stagnant wages and high unemployment.

If you have been holding off on buying a house, the time may be right!

For any information about buying or selling, call me at (401) 338-5102.

Realtor Designations Explained

Ever wonder what the credentials after a Realtor's name mean? Here are descriptions of some of the more important ones in the real estate industry.

Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR): This Realtor has met specific educational and practical experience criteria, including completion of a 2-day Real Estate Buyer's Agents Council (REBAC) core course. They've also passed a written exam on the legal and practical aspects of agency representation.

Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI): This designation is for Realtors who are involved in residential real estate, who want a solid educational base of information for their practice. According to the National Association of Realtors, "The GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on topics from marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law."

e-Pro Internet Professional: This training program helps certify real estate professionals and teach them how to thrive in our ever developing technological world. This course teaches how to make an Internet presence, master email communication, create a web-marketing plan, and how to use aspects of ancillary technology such as PDAs, Smart Phones, Digital Cameras, Virtual Tours, and MLS systems. All valuable and necessary education when representing buyers and sellers.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): This is the highest designation awarded to sales associates, with less than four percent of Realtors holding this certification. It has been awarded since 1977 and recognizes agents who meet stringent requirements, such as 75 transactions within 5 years or $25,000,000 in sales in five years, among other stellar achievements.

When choosing a Realtor, look for agents with some of these credentials. Real Estate professionals who continue their education even after years of experience can be your most valuable asset in your search for a buyer or help in your search for a home.

For more information or real estate assistance, call me at 401-338-5102.

Good News in the Neighborhood

The median price of single family home sales rose 14.3 percent in Rhode Island from January 2009 to January 2010 according to sales data released today by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.

Median price, which reflects the marketing mix (size and type) of properties sold and not the value of the same property over time, rose to $200,000 from $175,000 in January 2009. Last month marked the third consecutive month of increased prices.

The price increase correlates to a drop in the rate of distressed sales. Thirty-two percent of all sales last month were sold through foreclosure or short sale, compared to 47.8 percent 12 months earlier. The median price of conventional single family sales - those not sold under duress - was $227,500.

For full story and accompanying statistics, visit riliving.com/pressreleases.

For more information or real estate assistance, call me at 401-338-5102.

Third Quarter 2009 Housing Sales

The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes were up 27.2% during the last three months of 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, hitting a seasonally adjusted rate of 6 million homes sold.

That's a 13.9% increase from the 5.29 million annual rate seen during the third quarter, as home buyers moved to take advantage of low interest rates and a tax credit that was set to expire but was ultimately extended and expanded by Congress.

Sales increased from the third quarter to the fourth in 48 states and the District of Columbia, with 32 states seeing double-digit gains, NAR said. Year-over-year sales were higher in 49 states and Washington, D.C., and all but three states had double-digit annual increases.
Distressed property accounted for 32 percent of fourth-quarter transactions, down from 37% a year earlier.

The national median existing single-family price fell 4.1% year-over year to $172,900 -- the smallest price decline in more than two years, said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.

However, Rhode Island saw an increased in houses sold in December 2009. The number of single-family houses sold in Rhode Island and the median price for those houses rose when compared with December 2008, according to figures tabulated by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. That followed a November that also saw prices and numbers sold increase from the same month a year ago, which broke a 39-month streak of lower prices.

December sales rose 19%, from 492 houses in 2008 to 583 houses in 2009, according to the Realtors Association. At the same time, the median sales price rose 5%, from $190,000 to $200,001.

Let's hope this trend continues and that it means that the Rhode Island residential real estate market may be recovering after a three-year slump.

For all your Real Estate questions and need, contact me at 401-338-5102.

Four Reasons to Sell Now

Everyone is hearing that selling a property in this tough market seems like a challenge. If you are on the fence about putting your house on the market now, the National Association of Realtors give these reasons not to wait:

1. Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he’ll be in better shape. It's all about percentages.

2. Down-payment help is widely available. While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for “down-payment assistance programs” and the name of your region. There are many first-time buyers out there as well as 'move-up' buyers, both of whom may be able to qualify for the tax credit.

3. Besides the tax credits for buyers, there is an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.

4. Good help is available. Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business.

Don't wait, if you are considering selling call me at (401) 338-5102.

Image courtesy of Google Images

It’s a perfect time to make a great investment!

In November, Congress extended the tax credit for first time home buyers.

Who is eligible to claim the $8,000 tax credit?
First-time home buyers purchasing any kind of home—new or resale— to be used as a principal residence costing $800,000 or less are eligible for the tax credit. To qualify for the tax credit, a home purchase must occur on or after January 1, 2009, be under contract on or before April 30, 2010 and close before June 30, 2010.

What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
The law defines “first-time home buyer” as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. Ownership of a vacation home or rental property not used as a principal residence does not disqualify a buyer as a first-time home buyer.

How is the amount of the tax credit determined?
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
The income limit for single taxpayers is $125,000; the limit is $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. Single or head-of-household taxpayers with income between $125,000-$145,000 and joint filers between $225,000-$245,000 qualify for reduced credits.

Is this a loan?
No, the tax credit does not need to be repaid as long as you continue to own the home for a minimum of 3 years.

There is a special deadline for people serving in the Military: The deadline has been extended until June 30, 2011 for members of military who have served outside the United States for at least 90 days between January 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010.

If you are a current homeowner, you don’t have to be left out!

As part of the new legislation, there is a tax credit of up to $6500 for ‘move-up’ buyers. Those are buyers who have owned their current home for at least 5 of the 8 previous years. The same restrictions apply regarding the date that the transaction must be completed by.

With mortgage rates and home prices still low, there's never been a better time to buy a house.