Williams & Stuart Real Estate

Tiny Houses - How small would you go ?

Helen Arlia — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:57:37 +0000

First Time Homebuyers - Parents See Opportunity!

Helen Arlia — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:34:56 +0000

There are many opportunities out there for First Time Homebuyers with a little assistance from their parents. Please reference the article in the current issue of the Providence Business News.

Our Own BRUCE LANE Named REALTOR OF THE YEAR!!!

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:28:42 +0000

Bruce Lane of Williams and Stuart Real Estate in Cranston was named the 2011 Rhode Island REALTOR® of the Year last week at the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® (RIAR) and State-Wide MLS Installation and Recognition Dinner. The North Kingstown resident is also the recipient of the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® 2011 REALTOR® of the Year award, as well as the organization's 2011 president.

Lane is active at all levels of the REALTOR® organization. He has served on the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® Finance, Nominating, Executive, Professional Standards, Grievance and RPAC committees, and sits on both the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® and the State-Wide MLS Boards of Directors. He has also served at the national level on the National Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service Issues and Policies Committee.

“We’re honored to have someone of Bruce’s caliber in our membership and thrilled to honor him as the 2011 Rhode Island REALTOR® of the Year,” said Susan Arnold, CEO of the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®. “Bruce’s energy and commitment to the causes he supports is outstanding.”

Real Estate Radio

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:29:10 +0000

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IRS Top Ten Tax Tips When Selling Your Home

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:57:20 +0000

Ten Tax Tips for Individuals Selling Their Home

IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2011-15, August 8, 2011

The Internal Revenue Service has some important information to share with individuals who have sold or are about to sell their home. If you have a gain from the sale of your main home, you may qualify to exclude all or part of that gain from your income. Here are ten tips from the IRS to keep in mind when selling your home.

In general, you are eligible to exclude the gain from income if you have owned and used your home as your main home for two years out of the five years prior to the date of its sale.

If you have a gain from the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your income ($500,000 on a joint return in most cases).

You are not eligible for the exclusion if you excluded the gain from the sale of another home during the two-year period prior to the sale of your home.

If you can exclude all of the gain, you do not need to report the sale on your tax return.

If you have a gain that cannot be excluded, it is taxable. You must report it on Form 1040, Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses.

You cannot deduct a loss from the sale of your main home.

Worksheets are included in Publication 523, Selling Your Home, to help you figure the adjusted basis of the home you sold, the gain (or loss) on the sale, and the gain that you can exclude.

If you have more than one home, you can exclude a gain only from the sale of your main home. You must pay tax on the gain from selling any other home. If you have two homes and live in both of them, your main home is ordinarily the one you live in most of the time.

If you received the first-time homebuyer credit and within 36 months of the date of purchase, the property is no longer used as your principal residence, you are required to repay the credit. Repayment of the full credit is due with the income tax return for the year the home ceased to be your principal residence, using Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit. The full amount of the credit is reflected as additional tax on that year’s tax return.

When you move, be sure to update your address with the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service to ensure you receive refunds or correspondence from the IRS. Use Form 8822, Change of Address, to notify the IRS of your address change.

Congratulations Bruce Lane!!!

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:17:58 +0000

Congratulations to our own BRUCE LANE for being selected as the 2011 Greater Providence Board of Realtors - REALTOR of the YEAR!! Bruce demonstrates the character, knowledge and leadership necessary to succeed in this industry and we are proud to have him as one of the principle here at Williams & Stuart Real Estate.

"Fixer-Uppers" Are Not Always the Enemy!

Paul Zarrella — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:42:18 +0000

In today’s real estate market, distressed properties are selling at a deep discount. Unfortunately, most buyers dismiss these great property opportunities because they lack the funds needed to conduct improvements.However, there are plenty of loan programs available that will not only lend a buyer the money to purchase a property, but will also loan them the money to clean it up. An example is the FHA 203K loan. This program allows qualified owner occupants to purchase a home and improve it to their standards for merely 3 ½ percent of the (purchase price plus the cost of rehabilitation). Eligible repairs include: painting, room additions, decks, roofs, flooring, kitchens, heating systems, and more. Therefore, when looking at homes, do not dismiss the “fixer-upper”! Remember, you can score a great value and a home improved to your liking.

What to look for when purchasing a home

Paul Zarrella — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:25:51 +0000

For years real estate agents have been telling people the 3 most important factors to consider when buying are: “Location, Location, Location!” It is the one mistake you cannot correct once you have made your purchase. Yes, structures can be changed, repairs can be made, and layouts can be altered. Unfortunately, moving your home is not a viable option.The area in which you buy today will have a tremendous impact on your future resale value.

First and foremost, buyers should choose a community with a strong and stable economy. They should also consider the quality of the school district, even if they do not have children themselves. With mounting gas prices, you can guarantee that highway access and a homes proximity to outdoor recreation (i.e. parks and beaches) will play a major role in the decision making of future buyers. Lastly, stay away from locations with commercial influence or intrusive rail, plane, or traffic noise. You may get a bargain today, but it could cost you tomorrow.

Blood Drive

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Thank you to those who attended the Blood Drive! It was a great success!

The Importance of contacting a local REAL ESTATE expert...

Paul Zarrella — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:02:34 +0000

In recent years, the amount of information available to consumers regarding the real estate market has increased dramatically. Today, buyers and sellers can merely tap a key on their smart phone to access information on homes for sale in the local area.

A number of these applications use websites designed to give value estimates for a particular property. Yes, they may have been able to build a computer that could become a Jeopardy champion, but breaking down information of home values is STILL done best by humans. Real estate agents and appraisers have an understanding of the local market that cannot be reproduced with a program. They can break down the information beyond the statistics. Real estate has as much to do with our senses as it does with square footage and lot size. Aesthetic differences such as view, style, and condition can have a great impact on value. If you truly want to know what a home is worth contact a local real estate expert.

Considering a Short Sale??

Anonymous — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:37:27 +0000

6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale

By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

W & S Wins Awards at STAR Gala

Anonymous — Sun, 01 May 2011 17:27:06 +0000

Williams and Stuart took home three awards at the Greater Providence Board of Realtors S.T.A.R. Gala this past Thursday!

Best New Company, Williams and Stuart Real Estate

RPAC STAR, Dee Southerland

Tech STAR, Mindy Lane

We are humbled and grateful for the acknowledgement,
and will continue to strive to exceed the expectations of our clients,
inspire and reward our agents, and
provide superior results to those who enlist our services.

Many thanks to the GPBR, and the organizers for this lovely evening.

Williams & Stuart Real Estate

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:20:05 +0000

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD

Ken — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:08:10 +0000

One of our agents, Maureen McGovern, recently made us aware of a great fundraiser she is putting on for a worthy cause:

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD!

DATE:	FRIDAY May 13th
TIME:	6PM – 10PM
PLACE:	PAWTUXET ATHLETIC CLUB
	12 ABORN STREET
	CRANSTON, RI 02905

Suggested Donation: $25 per person

~ THERE WILL BE A LITE FARE SERVED ~

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BY “THE BASEMENT BRO’S”
(Brian McGovern, Wayne & Bill Carter have donated their time)

CASH BAR

I am hosting a fundraiser for a young man I have mentored for 8 years. Starting in 4th grade and he is now a Junior at Warwick Veterans HS, Warwick and looking ahead to college!

Michael’s home life has been very difficult, yet he has an amazing attitude! He has a drive to succeed despite his situation. The house he lives in has no central heat, has major plumbing issues that make it difficult to shower at home on a daily basis. Many days he will go to a friend’s house before school to shower. That is all I will say about things at home. Just know that he handles life extremely well for what he has been handed!

Academically he is doing great with a GPA of 4.33 so far this year. He has a love for music! He has been in Chorus since 7th grade. He is also in Jazz Chorus and sings with the Providence Singers. He has made Men’s All National Honor’s Ensemble which will perform in WashingtonDC in June. Also, he was just in The All Eastern Chorus in Baltimore last week. He has an amazing voice! Which you will hear if you come!!

Michael has had a job at Burger King since 2008. He recently got a 2nd job at Hollister.
Despite all his extra curricular activity and his jobs he still stays focused on his academics.

Michael’s family does not have the financial means to help him--nor do I. He is in desperate need of transportation. He relies on friends to get him to and from many of his rehearsals, shows and his jobs. Michael is an extremely responsible young man who I feel deserves to have some help.

I am hosting this event in hopes of giving him the boost he needs. I would like to raise enough money for him to be able to buy a very inexpensive used car and pay the 1st year of insurance. All additional proceeds will be put into a College fund. I think this will give him the start that he needs. I am hoping that you can join me in helping this incredible young man by attending this fundraiser! It is a night out, and you help someone in need!

PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL ME TO RESERVE TICKETS!
MAUREEN MCGOVERN
263-2028 OR EMAIL~ MAMSOLD@AOL.COM –
PLEASE USE SUBJECT = MICHAEL (so it doesn’t get lost in my spam folder)
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO INVITE YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS! WE INVITE EVERYONE WITH A HEART!! YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW HIM TO HELP HIM!

Bowling for Boobs -- Thank You!!

Ken — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:06:40 +0000

Thanks to you, Williams & Stuart raised over $7,500 for the

American Cancer Society at our Bowling for Boobs fundraiser on March 19th!

Economic Recovery in Rhode Island dependent upon Buyers and Sellers of Real Estate

Ken — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:09:55 +0000

Very interesting article in The Providence Sunday Journal today, discussing the link between the purchase and sale of real estate with the economic recovery of the state.

Read about it here:

part 1

part 2

part 3

This is a job for SUPERMAN, not Clark Kent

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:29:29 +0000

You need an expert guide if you are traveling a dangerous path

The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. You need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a buyer willing to pay fair market value for your home at a time that there are mass inventories of foreclosures and short sales will take a true real estate professional. Finding reasonable financing can also be tricky in today’s lending environment.

Experts in any profession, do not discount their fees; especially when the job is becoming much more difficult.

You need a skilled negotiator

In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible re-negotiation of that off after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.

When an agent is negotiating their commission with you, they are negotiating their own salary. The salary that keeps a roof over their family’s head. A salary that puts food on their family’s table. If they are quick to take less when negotiating for themselves and their families, what makes you think they will not act the same way when negotiating for you and your family? If they were Clark Kent when negotiating with you, they will not turn into Superman when negotiating with the buyer or seller in your deal.

Bottom Line

We believe that famous sayings become famous because they are true. You get what you pay for. Just like a good accountant or a good attorney, a good agent will save you money…not cost you money.

The KCM Blog

Real Estate Radio

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:20:36 +0000

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House Logic Trend Updates

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:52:29 +0000

Important Changes in Fire Code Requirements for 3 Family Dwellings

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:21:21 +0000

Time for Three-Families to Get Alarmed

Fire Safety Requirements Take effect on December 31st

The fire safety requirements for three-family properties will go into effect on December 31, 2010. There will be no more postponements, according the Executive Director of the RI Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, disappointing landlords who were hoping for a last-minute reprieve.

What are the new requirements for three-unit dwellings?

As a reminder, here are the requirements, according to the State Fire Marshal Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide brochure.

As of December 31, 2010 all common areas shall be protected by AC-powered, interconnected smoke alarms with battery back-up. These alarms may be powered from an existing residential or common circuit. These smoke alarms shall be separate from the smoke alarms in each dwelling unit. There shall be one smoke alarm on each level of the common stairway(s), and at the bottom of the basement stairs.If there is more than one (1) stairway, all detectors in each stairway shall be interconnected together.Wireless detectors shall be allowed as part of an approved system or panel and provided that such system meets all the audible requirements.A local, supervised fire alarm system shall be permitted in place of smoke alarms. Each system shall be installed as per code and provide detection in all common areas, pull stations, etc; and occupant notification.

The full brochure can be downloaded in the Transit Forms Library or by viewing the

Fire Safety Requirements here.

When were these requirements approved? The fire safety requirements for three-family dwellings were originally slated to take effect on July 1, 2008, but the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review extended the deadline twice: until July 1, 2009 and then until December 31, 2010.

Why were the requirements extended twice? The purpose of the two extensions was to give the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review time to address questions about the availability and use of wireless technology, interpretations of the electric code, transfers of short sale and foreclosure properties, and confusion over other enforcement issues.

Also, some electrical inspectors were interpreting the electrical code to require owners of three-unit dwellings to install a separate meter for the new fire safety device instead of drawing from one of the unit meters. Since the electric company requires new meters to be installed on the exterior of the building, could have forced property owners to spend thousands of dollars to relocate the entire meter bank, according to the Fire Safety Code Board. The Board, State Fire Marshal, State Building Board, State Building Commissioner, and others worked together to create a solution to avoid undue hardship to owners of existing three-unit dwellings.

How aggressively will these requirements be enforced? It depends. Some local fire marshals have been notifying owners of three-family dwellings of these requirements and plan to begin inspections of three-unit dwellings in January, 2011.

Is it legal to sell a three-family dwelling that is not in compliance with these requirements? Yes. A buyer can purchase a three-family that is not in compliance with the new fire safety requirements as long as the buyer is prepared to bring the property into compliance, and assuming that the buyer's lender will finance the purchase. There is no separate deadline or grace period.

How will these requirements affect rentals of three-family dwellings?Failure to comply is a code violation for which a landlord can be cited, similar to minimum housing violations.

Questions? Check with your local fire marshal or contact the State Fire Marshal's Office

Source: RI Association of REALTORS®,

Cranston one of nation’s most stable housing markets

Ken — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:59:12 +0000

Cranston one of nation’s most stable housing markets

By Kimberley Donoghue
PBN Web Editor

NEW YORK – Cranston is one of the nation’s 20 most-stable housing markets, according to the latest Forbes’ ranking.

The list, "America’s Most Stable Housing Markets," uses data from online real estate marketplace Zillow.com and highlights U.S. cities that have managed to maintain a healthy real estate market, bucking the national negative trend.

Zillow identified cities, with more than 10,000 residents, where home values had appreciated for at least three straight quarters, the rate of home sales was healthy and the foreclosure rates were lower than the metro area.

Home values are still well below their 2006 peak, Zillow said, adding that the average U.S. home is worth $178,000, down 26 percent from the high of $240,000.

“The housing market continues to suffer from broad macroeconomic conditions,” said Stan Humphries, chief economist at Zillow.com.

Humphries thinks prices are likely to fall another 5 percent to 7 percent nationally and bottom out in the middle of 2011 due to excess inventory, high rates of negative equity and high unemployment.

“Stable housing markets are out there, though. You just have to know where to look,” said Forbes.

One of those 20 “safe bets” is Cranston, with a median home value of $181,200.

The 3.3 percent gain in Cranston home values in 2010 is the biggest increase of any city that made our stable housing markets list,” Forbes added.

Nevertheless, the Cranston median home value is well below other markets on the list, including Brookline, Mass., $489,500, Chino Hills, Calif., $464,600, Edina, Minn., $325,900, and Lemon Grove, Calif., $264,000. Bethel Park, Pa., is slightly lower at $155,100.

The priciest city to make the list was Manhattan Beach, Calif., the most-stable housing market in the Los Angeles metro area; the median home value was $1.2 million, three times the typical home price in L.A. The foreclosure rate, at one in 5,376 homes, is nonexistent for the city, Forbes said.

Another pricey California city to make the cut was Cupertino, Calif., home to Apple Inc. and its more than 20,000 employees. Homes there are worth $10.5 million on average, up 2.3 percent this year.

Williams & Stuart Agents Raised over 11,000.00 for A Wish Come True

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:40:32 +0000

The NAR ad campaign on HOME OWNERSHIP

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:08:35 +0000

Home Ownership Matters!!

To people... To communities... To America.

Studies show that home ownership has a significant positive impact on net worth, educational achievement, civic participation, health and overall quality of life. That’s why, for more than 100 years, REALTORS® have helped people find their piece of the American Dream.

Now, with some questioning whether home ownership is still good for America, it’s more important than ever to stand up for home ownership... in your community and in the nation’s capital.

Find out more about why Home Ownership Matters, how the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is standing up for it, and how you can help spread the word, at REALTOR.org/homeownership.

WHY HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS

TO PEOPLE…

Home owners are happier and healthier and enjoy a greater feeling of control over their lives.
Owning a home is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. Historically, a home owner’s net worth has ranged from 31 to 46 times that of a renter.
Home owners are free to redecorate, renovate, and modify their homes as they wish.
Most home owners enjoy stable housing costs—a fixed-rate mortgage payment might not change for 15 to 30 years while rent typically increases 3% a year.
Home owners can typically deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on their federal individual income tax return.

TO COMMUNITIES…

People who own homes vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their neighborhoods.
Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, providing moreneighborhood stability. In turn, this stability helps reduce crime and supports neighborhood upkeep.
Children of home owners do better in school, stay in school longer, are more likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the television.

TO AMERICA...

67% of American households are owner-occupied. America is a nation of home owners.
Home owners pay 80 to 90% of federal individual income taxes, contributing to federal programs that benefit all Americans.
Every home purchased pumps $60,000 into the economy for furniture, home improvements and related items.
Housing accounts for more than 15% of the national Gross Domestic Product, a key driver of our national economy.
For these reasons and more, home ownership is the American Dream!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk 2010

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:27:55 +0000

With your help we raised over $ 5700.00 so far for the ACS!!

THANK YOU!!!

CLICK HERE to be directed to our facebook page and view the photos from the walk.

Thank You to Everyone for helping to make our Fall Festival to Benefit A.D.O.P.T. a Success!!

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:06:59 +0000

Click here to view all the photos of the Fall Fest.

Williams & Stuart's 2nd Annual Golf Tournament

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:57:03 +0000

Please click the link to our facebook page to view all of our photos from this wonderful event.

We would like to thank all our Agents, Sponsors and Players for helping us raise over 11,000.00 for A WISH COME TRUE. This wonderful charity grants wishes to children in our area with life threatening illnesses.

DINING WITH STRANGERS - RI

Anonymous — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:03:45 +0000

#19 Living In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI
April 24, 2010

STRANGER: Bob Black
LOCATION: Andreas, 268 Thayer Street, Providence, RI
THEME: Dinner with a realtor/blogger

Bob Black has a lot to say.

It helps explain why the busy realtor has three blogs. It also explains why he proved to be good dinner company, because his ability to touch on any topic that comes to mind, and to do so in an engaging way, protects against any awkward pauses in conversation.

Sometimes when I meet strangers for a meal I wonder whether they’ll be reticent, with little to say, or incredibly shy about the whole situation.

With Bob, I knew I wouldn’t have that problem.

It was a Saturday night in Providence and I was running late for our interview, having taken a few wrong turns on my walk to Andreas Greek restaurant. But only a few minutes after schedule I found the place on the bustling Thayer Street. “Bustling” seems like a throwaway word to describe an area, but it’s perfect to describe the scene. The pavements were crowded, every restaurant and bar overflowing, and most people having a good time.

When I stepped inside Andreas I was still uncertain whether I’d be joining the revelry. Then I scanned the restaurant and saw Bob, knowing his image from his website. He was waving from a window-side table, a big smile on his face. How could I be worried with a welcome like that?

We shook hands — the man has a strong grip — and before I even pulled out the tape recorder and camera felt at ease around the guy. He seems to have a permanent smile on his face, in a good and not goofy way, and seems genuinely interested in people and places. At the start he was asking me more questions than the other way round.

Bob, 37, also has a very mild Northeastern accent though when he talked occasionally I’d pick up hints of his Providence upbringing here and there. Turns out that was a conscious choice on his part growing up. “Ever since I was small I would watch the news and see how people spoke properly, and I would tell myself to make it a point to pronounce my words.”

So Bob largely managed to avoid what he calls the sometimes “brutal but colorful” Rhode Island way of talking, which can turn the word “corner” into “corn-a” or “idea” into “i-dear.”

He was about to continue talking when the waitress arrived. One thing I learned that night about Andreas is that the wait staff is very attentive. I don’t think it was an attempt to rush us through our meal and get the next paycheck in, rather just a friendly place with good service. We put in an appetizer order of saganaki flambée and then got back to our interview.

Bob was born in the city of Providence and then his family moved to the Pawtuxet Village section of Cranston, the next city over from Providence. He was there until he graduated high school and then he traveled for a short while, living first in Ocala, Florida, with a now ex-girlfriend. “There was nothing delightful about Ocala, I can tell you that,” he said. So, it was back to Rhode Island, where has lived (almost) ever since.

I say almost ever since, because for about a year he lived in Massachusetts with his then-girlfriend and now-wife Melissa, before moving back with her to a Rhode Island town called Johnston. Phew. Lot of moving around. But he’s not done yet. During our interview he mentioned that they’re picking up sticks again and moving back to Cranston. As Bob summed it up, “It sounds a bit nomadic but variety is the spice of life, right?”

Here I could make some terrible transition from spice of life to spicy foods and segue into describing the appetizer, but I’ll spare you the horrors of such a clumsy effort.

So in the most straightforward way possible I can tell you that at this point the saganaki arrived. I’ll minimize my felicity of expression in describing this dish. It was a huge flaming gob of cheese, served up with half a lemon on the side.

For $7.99, you get a lot of food. It’s pan-seared Kasseri cheese in a brandy flambée and it is absolutely delicious. Bob’s simple take on the dish — “it’s awesome” — was pretty much the same as mine. The cheese is soft, tasty and there’s so much it’s impossible to go hungry. The only danger is wanting so much of it you lose your appetite for the main course.

Thankfully we had a decent amount of time before the main courses came out, which let Bob sum up why he’s been in Rhode Island so long.

“There’s a certain allure about the city that I grew up in. It’s nothing super fancy but it’s got a good proximity to Providence and the lifestyle is nice. Most of the neighborhoods are good quality, and it’s a good place to raise family,” he said.

That kind of knowledge about the area must serve Bob well in his job as a realtor. Or for my British parents reading this article, in his job as an estate agent.

It was his wife Melissa that first suggested he get into real estate, and her input in shaping the direction of Bob’s last few years was a common theme he kept coming back to during dinner. Not only is she responsible for getting him into his current career but she’s also the driver behind the blogs and several other projects. More on them later.

A few years ago Bob was working for a credit card processing company, but “I was starting to get worn out and was looking for a way out.” That’s when his wife suggested he switch to real estate. “Her reasoning was that it was a good pairing of my personality and my experience,” said Bob, who at that time had worked for more than 18 years in sales.

But how to get into the industry? Bob had to take classes run by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors and pass a test to become qualified to work selling property in the state.

He scouted around for companies to work and started at Prudential Gammons. Some of the brokers there got together and formed Williams & Stuart, and asked Bob to join them. He did, and said it’s a place that Bob that has “quality leadership that sets the tone for a wonderful place to work.” Sometimes people praise their workplace through a fake smile if only to avoid getting in trouble with their bosses. But with Bob his love of his job seemed genuine.

“I’ve never met a better group of people who are more dedicated to their careers as well as helping our community,” he said. In fact, the company’s motto is “Helping Buyers, Helping Sellers, Helping Our Community,” and Bob said they have put on a number of charitable events in Rhode Island, including blood donation drives and fundraisers for organizations that work to prevent animal cruelty among other things. Part of Bob’s work is to serve on the marketing and community relations committees that organize the events.

Indeed, Bob’s joy at simply being involved in his beloved hometown was something he discussed more than the procedural day-to-day aspects of being a realtor. But even without the charitable events, he said it’s a job he continues to love.

“My wife’s suggestion was spot on. I’m not saying I’m the greatest realtor in the world, but I’m pretty successful, very happy and I have a good life.”

Being a realtor isn’t the only suggestion Melissa made that Bob approves of.

As I mentioned earlier, she also helped guide Bob toward launching his several blogs. He was about to explain the origins of the blogs, when the next course arrived.

Unfortunately I forgot to get pictures at this point. I blame the $5.75 glass of Kouros Nemea dry red wine I had at dinner (though my friends will tell you that’s no excuse because I can really put my drinks away). For our pre-entree dishes Bob had a green salad while I had a small cup of lemon chicken soup. I was a bit unsure of the soup based solely on its description, but it was wonderful. The tartness of the lemon gave the soup a pleasant kick, while the chicken was tender and the whole thing a great warm-up for the entree.

At this point I was incredibly relaxed, again probably helped by the aforementioned wine but more because of Bob’s company and the atmosphere in Andreas. It’s a brightly lit place where upbeat Greek music plays in the background at an audible but not intrusive level.

As I enjoyed my surroundings and the soup, Bob continued the story of his blogs.

“My wife and I have a very open, discussion-filled relationship and we were sitting around talking,” when she suggested a blog to help boost Bob’s real estate work, he said. “It seemed a good way to drum up business without spending money.”

So the husband and wife team set about building a blog, called “Bob Black Real Estate.” Melissa handles the web design, teaching herself how to code websites. It gives Bob the opportunity to write about properties in Rhode Island, the state of the business, and happenings in the state. For example, if legislation was pending that could affect realtors in the state, Bob could blog about it via his new website. “Through necessity, blogging became a big part of what I do.”

Necessity then developed into a hobby, as — once again with Melissa’s inspiration — Bob started considering additional blogs that would have nothing to do with real estate, and everything to do with sharing his thoughts online.

That’s how his second blog, “Living In Rhode Island,” came about. “My wife and I go out a lot, we like to travel even if it’s just in the state. But if we had a good experience in a restaurant I had nowhere to write about. I didn’t have an outlet.” So, his wife suggested that Bob take those thoughts about his home state and put them in a new blog.

I wondered if Bob would do an update about Andreas. Thankfully this site gives me the chance to heap praise on the place for their excellent food. Bob had ordered the entree of herb-crusted pork tenderloin. As quoted from the menu, this is “hand crusted with our own blend of herbs and spices, grilled and served with a fresh prepared fig and red currant chutney.”

For $18.99 Bob said the “phenomenal” dish was well worth the price.

I’d ordered the $15.99 braised lamb. Again, I’ll defer to Andreas’ menu for the description. “Tender chunks of lamb, simmered in a traditional house-prepared red sauce and a touch of cinnamon. Served over a bed of fresh made rice pilaf.”

The lamb really was tender, flaking apart in my mouth. The red sauce was thick and rich and oh-so-very tasty. Highly recommended dish, the only problem being that there was so much food I couldn’t finish it. Nor could I take leftovers because my hotel room didn’t have a fridge. Alas!

Still, it was a highly enjoyable meal and the kind of thing I imagine Bob would blog about. But is there really that much else to write about Rhode Island on his site?

I don’t mean that question in a snarky way. Bob responded that there is a limitless range of things to boast about when it comes to the state “It’s a very interesting mix of people, because we’re between New York and Boston but we have our own identity.” He also said that other pluses about living in Rhode Island include a “huge” nightlife, proximity to the ocean, and lack of natural disasters such as earthquakes or volcanoes.

Generally, Bob gets “pretty positive” feedback from his blogs. For example, he’s been contacted by people traveling to Providence who want advice on places to go. And he did a podcast on the town where he grew up, which the mayor of Cranston then touted online. That in turn led to the Cranston Herald newspaper asking Bob for an interview based on the podcast.

He’s also got 100 or so followers on Twitter and more than 200 fans of his Facebook page. The man knows his online stuff, though as always he gives a lot of credit to Melissa. It’s obvious he has a lot of love for his wife, whose name he kept mentioning fondly throughout dinner.

The Internet even played a part in bringing them together. Melissa messaged Bob on MySpace years ago after spotting photos Bob put on the site about a trip to Washington to a Dave Matthews Band concert. Melissa, a big fan of the band, and Bob then got chatting online before meeting and person and quickly falling in love. He approaches their relationship as a genuine partnership, something that extends to the blogs.

“It’s a team effort between my wife and myself. I write them and basically take all of the photos and Melissa designs it on the website. Once she’s done her design work we review it and we’ll make any changes needed before publishing,” Bob said.

That husband-and-wife team also led to the creation of Bob’s third blog, called “I Was Thinking.” It’s a place for him to upload his most random of thoughts.

The blog was inspired by Bob sitting in a drive-thru one day waiting for a morning coffee when he said a sign saying the place wouldn’t be able to honor gift cards at that time, and had a sign saying, “Sorry For Any Inconvenience.” This rankled Bob. “Just saying ‘sorry for any inconvenience’ didn’t make it right. I knew I wanted to blog about that, but it didn’t fit into real estate or writing about living in Rhode Island,” he said.

“I don’t want to anoint myself an artist, but I have ideas and feelings that I need to express verbally,” and the blogs allow him to do that, Bob said. He also paints and pursues an interest in photography as ways to express himself, with some of the pictures featured on his blogs.

So does the future hold a lifetime of living in Rhode Island?

Not necessarily. Bob said that he and Melissa have “fallen in love” with the West Coast based on recent visits to San Diego, California, and Seattle, Washington. They’re contemplating a move across the country some day, but there’s nothing definite yet.

The waitress then came to take our plates away. We declined dessert — the food at Andreas is very filling — but ordered two Greek coffees for $3 each. As we sipped on the bitter drinks (Bob and I both thought the best word for them was “interesting” and that they needed sugar), he said that Portland, Oregon, is also a potential candidate for their next house. And even if they don’t like wherever they end up, Bob said he and Melissa have no problem moving again until they find the right place.

For now though, Bob seems incredibly content living in Rhode Island.

The Decision to pay points or not..

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:15:48 +0000

When taking out a mortgage borrowers are often presented with the option of paying points. A point represents a payment at closing of one percent of the loan amount. In exchange for this upfront fee borrowers receive a reduction in their interest rate, typically around ¼ percent.

When faced with the decision to pay points the most important factor to consider is how long you plan on remaining in your home. If you plan on selling or even refinancing within two years it probably doesn’t make sense to pay discount points. If you do plan on holding the loan for at least 5 years you should consider paying points. It may cost you a bit more today but it will save you money in the long run. Our agents are available to meet with you to answer questions and guide you towards home ownership. Please call us to schedule an appointment.

Properly Pricing Your Home

Paul Zarrella — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:26:59 +0000

IN THIS CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET TRADITIONAL HOME SELLERS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES COMPETING FOR BUYERS ATTENTION WITH BANK OWNED PROPERTIES, SHORT SALES, AND FORECLOSURES. ALTHOUGH THIS MARKET CAN BE CHALLENGING, MANY SELLERS ARE FINDING SUCCESS.

THE FIRST STEP TO THE WAY TO THE CLOSING TABLE IS PRICING. A WELL PRICED HOME WILL ATTRACT SHOWINGS IMMEDIATLEY. OFTEN INITIAL OPEN HOUSES WILL PRODUCE A FRENZY OF ACTIVITY. WHEN BUYERS SEE SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN A PROPERTY THEY TEND TO MAKE OFFERS THAT ARE CLOSER TO, OR EVEN ABOVE THE ASKING PRICE, MANY TIMES WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF LISTING.

SELLERS WHO PRICE THEIR HOME ABOVE its VALUE WITH THE THOUGHT THAT THIS ALLOWS ROOM FOR A BUYER TO NEGOTIATE DO NOT GET AS MANY SHOWINGS. THIS RESULTS IN NOT ONLY LENGTHY SELLING PERIOD, BUT ULTIMATELY A LOWER SALES PRICE.

GOING GREEN.......GOOD FOR YOU! GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!

Susan Rowles — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:05:24 +0000

Here is some advice that not only can save homeowners money but can help save our environment as well. There are many area's in the home where dollars and energy are being wasted. Making a few minor changes can have a real impact on your wallet as well as your carbon footprint.

Over half of the US energy supply is used for heating and cooling. You can do your part to reduce this number by taking a few simple steps. Installing a programable thermostat and lowering the temperature by 6-8 degrees while you are sleeping or not home will result in a monthly savings of approximately $25.00. Additionally, something as simple as setting your hot water thermostat to 120 degrees will save you another $100.00 per year.

For more energy efficiency tips and advice contact one of the many Energy Smart Real Estate Specialists at Williams & Stuart Real Estate.

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The Decision to pay points or not..

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