Scholarship

Williams & Stuart Real Estate Offering a $1,000 Scholarship to a Lucky High School Senior

With the school year coming to an sudden end for High School Seniors across the nation, we understand the devastation and sadness students and families are facing. It is quite a disappointment for the Seniors who have lost their prom night, their sports banquets, their senior week and of course the graduation memories that they would have held on to forever. This milestone is something they have waited years for, and in the blink of an eye, its all canceled.

Williams & Stuart Real Estate believes that being involved with and serving the community is a vital part of their mission as a small, locally owned business. They have been fortunate enough to work with several local charities, little league teams, and those in desperate need.

Hearing about the students who aren’t able to proudly walk in their cap and gown and celebrate the past four years of hard work and dedication is what sparked the idea to hold a video contest where a lucky entrant could win $1,000. While they can’t bring back the end of Senior year for the fellow high schoolers, they wanted to find a way to create a fun senior memory from home and offer a little extra money to help students get going on their educational goals.

Williams & Stuart Real Estate hopes this scholarship can bring happiness and something to look forward to during this time of uncertainty. They want nothing more than to honor and recognize all the class of 2020. If you know of a graduating High School Senior, have them participate in this video contest.

Here is what you need to do to enter→

      • Create a 1-2 minute video answering the question “What does home mean to you?” and submit it here.
      • Make sure you are following Williams & Stuart on Facebook & Instagram

       
      Yes, it is that easy! The rules are very simple →

      • Entrants must be a college-bound senior living in Rhode Island or nearby in Massachusetts or Connecticut
      • Your face and voice must be clear and easy to understand
      • The video must answer the question,“What does home mean to you?”
      • By submitting this video you give us permission to post it on our social media accounts

       

      Video submissions end on 6/10/20. We will be selecting ONE lucky winner on 6/17/20. GOOD LUCK, GET CREATIVE & HAVE FUN!

You Can Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal in Just One Weekend! Small American house with well kept lawn and nice landscaping desing around. Northwest, USA

You Can Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal in Just One Weekend!

Springtime is historically one of the best times of the year to sell your home. As the spring season approaches, the housing market will start to get a lot busier and the pressure is on to stand out. You will notice the weather warming up and the days will start becoming much longer. This change in the season brings out the largest amount of buyers who are actively searching for a home which means it is time to improve your curb appeal.

First impression

Potential home buyers form their first impression of your home from its curb appeal. There is nothing more important than an attractive and well-maintained front exterior, especially after a long, hard winter. Not only does this help attract buyers, but it also increases the value of your home. Achieving an impressive first impression is possible, even if you are working on a budget!

Focus on the Landscape
Be sure to remove any distracting items and de-clutter your yard. Rake up all the dead leaves and collect all the branches in your yard. Keep the lawn freshly mowed and trimmed for visitors. It is the first thing they look at!

Replace the Mulch
Replacing the mulch can make a tired exterior look clean and new. Apply a fresh layer in all your garden beds and around the shrubs. Mulch is affordable and easy to apply and even comes in a variety of colors! It really helps everything stand out.

Add a Pop of Color
Hanging planters or adding flower pots are simple ways to add a pop of color to your front yard aesthetic. Planting flowers along your walkway or garden will also help boost the curb appeal and will really catch some eyes!

Power Wash Everything
Use a power washer to clean the outside of your home. Fences, porches, brick and vinyl siding, driveways, sheds, and most importantly your windows! Your buyers will notice all the difference.

Fix Up the Mailbox
Depending on the condition, consider replacing or updating your mailbox. A fresh coat of paint or a deep clean will make it look good as new, and you can even plant some pretty flowers around the mailbox if you are really looking to impress!

Dress the Front Entrance
Making the front entrance to your home as appealing as possible will create a warm welcome to everyone that visits your home. Add a wreath or welcome mat at the front door. A fresh coat of paint can also completely transform the look and feel of your curb appeal.

Just remember that the time and the money you invest in preparing your home for sale, can help increase the value of your home and make it stand out in this competitive spring market! Everyone is going to be on the hunt for a beautiful home with a perfect curb appeal. These are a few simple chores you can do to bring life back to your home’s exterior. Simple changes really do make a big impact and you may even fall in love with your home all over again!

In Conclusion

We understand that your schedule can be very busy and you might not have the time to prepare your home to sell. Our team will handle the preparation for you and recommend some of the best landscapers, painters and mulch companies in your area! No matter what your property’s needs may be, we are always ready to help. Contact us today @ 401-942-0200.

home improvement

Home Improvement Projects to Tackle While Stuck Indoors

While everyone is stuck inside during this unprecedented pandemic, now is the perfect time to tackle some of our value-adding, home preparation tips! If you’re planning to sell your home this year, these suggestions will make excellent use of your time confined to the house.

Remember, these are meant to be simple and affordable.

  1. Caulk your bathtub or shower: Over time the seal around your tub or shower can wear and crack, allowing moisture to pool inside, which creates a perfect environment for mold. Caulk any areas you see this happening and give your tub or shower the inviting look it calls for.
  2. Patch any holes and trim: Take time to patch up any holes in the walls from previous wall decor and fix any missing or damaged wall trim to avoid an impression that your home needs TLC.
  3. Give rooms a fresh coat of paint: Painting is one of those projects that can make a big impact on the look and feel of your home. Stick with a neutral color, like an off-white or light gray, which can brighten up your entire house and make everything look cleaner and neater.
  4. Update your cabinet hardware: Give your kitchen or bathroom a simple facelift with new hardware. Once you select your new hardware, you will just need a screwdriver!
  5. Change out lightbulbs on both the exterior and interior of your home: Swap out tired, old light fixtures and keep your home looking bright and beautiful! Lighting plays a major factor in a home’s appearance and its overall atmosphere.
  6. Keep your lawn and landscape looking beautiful: Get rid of all the dead stuff, give the lawn a fresh cut and add a seasonal burst of color. Now is a good time to plant spring bulbs and prep garden beds for fresh mulch. First impression is everything!
  7. Pressure wash/softwash your home’s exterior and walkways: Getting rid of winter’s dirt, grime and mildew will make all the difference in how your home’s exterior care is perceived!
  8. Shampoo your rugs: Now is the time to move your furniture out of the way and give your rugs a good cleaning. If you don’t have a carpet cleaner you can rent one from a local home improvement store.
  9. Clean out your garage and basement: Less is more in these spaces used for storage – show how spacious they really are, not how much stuff you can fit!
  10. Replace your furnace filter: Extend the life of your system and make buyers happy! This also helps with better air quality.

For the unavoidable days of being stuck inside, working on these projects and updates is the perfect way to elevate your mood. There are only so many walks you can take and batches of cookies you can bake until you start going stir crazy! Whether you select one or two of these projects or tackle the entire list, you’ll be gratified by what you’ve accomplished and that much closer to market-ready.

light at end of tunnel

How’s the Market?

You don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel right away – it takes a little time to come into view but once it does, the tunnel is no longer as frightening. With a soft return to life-as-we-knew-it looming on the horizon we wonder if things will feel the same. Should we have worried more or worried less and is our solid foundation still structurally sound?

The number of homes for sale in Rhode Island has understandably decreased but sale prices remain largely unaffected by COVID-19. Challenges posed by social distancing and stay-at-home-orders were quickly overcome by virtual connection and revised practices for safely conducting business. Ask real estate agents with listing inventory and they tell a similar story – the property hits the market, pre-approved buyers quickly line-up and in most cases a bidding war ensues. As inventory continues to fly off the shelves as quickly as cleaning supplies, today’s sellers have a new appreciation for what “under contract in one week” means and are the clearest evidence that “now is a great time to sell if your circumstances allow” isn’t one bit sales propaganda.

We can’t predict our future which is why it’s important to consider if now is the time to capitalize on a hot market. Sale prices weren’t expected to outperform themselves forever and while we do expect low inventory to keep the health of our local market intact, we suggest re-examining your options knowing they are plentiful, alive and well.

Take advantage of this extra time in the day..

As you continue to stay safe at home and shelter indoors, focus on making any updates to your home that could benefit you later down the road. A lockdown is the best time to work on home projects that you have been pushing off for months, explore new hobbies, and build new skills. There are lots of DIY projects that are cheap and fun to do as a family to make your house look sharp and in tip-top shape. Some other activities to keep busy as a family are to virtually tour your favorite museums, parks and even zoos! One of our very favorites, Roger Williams Park Zoo offers a behind-the-scenes look of their animals every Tuesday & Thursday. Yes, our new normal might be a little different these days, but we are quickly learning to adjust, adapt and move forward!

If you have any questions about buying or selling in the current climate of the real estate market, reach out to us today at 401-942-0200.

Real Estate Market growth

How is the Market Doing, You May Ask?

2019 was quite the year for the Rhode Island real estate market and our state again experienced record-setting growth, providing another great year of appreciation for homeowners and investors. Data shows that this year’s record-producing sales figures qualify it as one of the strongest real estate markets in history. With just over one million residents, the state’s median sales price ended the year at $285,000 – a 5.5% increase over 2018’s median price of $270,000. Sale prices in many areas exceeded pricing experienced in the now infamous 2004-2007 boom and there are mixed opinions on whether this is the year the tides turn. Our incredible agents worked hard to sell our inventory at 99% of the asking price versus the MLS average of 97% and sold our inventory in an average of 41 days compared to the MLS average of 61. The smallest state sure can prove to have big returns!

With steady appreciation year after year in thanks to a strong economy, the real estate market is hotter than ever with unbeatable low-interest rates and strong buyer demand. Whether you are looking to trade up or down, cash out and retire or refinance and buy a summer home, now might just be the right time.

The journey of property investing is a path to navigate with the help of an experienced local Rhode Island agent. If you need guidance on how to get started, one of our experts can create the strategy you need in a competitive market. The real estate market is cyclical and what goes up does come down as history has repeatedly shown. There is no way to predict what the future has in store for the market, but 2020 could be your year!

Tis The Season

‘Tis the Season to Enjoy the Ocean State!

There are so many beautiful parts that make our little Ocean State special, but when the holiday season comes around, it is a winter wonderland and simply magical!

Rhode Island is home to many annual events that take the spirit of the holiday season to a whole new level. New Englanders sure know how to celebrate the holidays! There are a variety of indoor and outdoor activities all over the state that can keep you and your family busy through the New Year.

Northern Rhode Island

PVD Winter Lights Market & Tree Lighting
Providence City Hall
December 6th-7th Fri. 5-9pm, Sat 12-9pm
FREE!

There is no better way to kick off this cheerful season than in the Capitol City. This two-day festival begins with the lighting of the tree and ends with a festival market, live performances and delicious food vendors from all over. You can also spend the afternoon ice skating at the Bank Newport Skating Rink! Learn more here.

A Christmas Carol
Trinity Rep
Now-December 29th
Book your tickets!

Trinity Rep is celebrating 42 years of A Christmas Carol and it seems to only get better with time. This incredible play is about the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim and is a classic holiday tale for all ages! It is a great activity to do on a cold night where you want to stay indoors!

The Polar Express
Historic Blackstone Valley Train Depot
Now-December 22nd
Book your tickets!

Everyone’s favorite Christmas movie has come to real life right near you! This three-hour train ride includes storytelling, sing-a-longs, games, tasty cookies and of course some hot cocoa! The best part about the entire night is Santa delivers his first gift of the season to all the children who were on the nice list this year! All aboard!

An Old Fashioned Christmas
Hearthside House Museum
Now-December 29th
Times vary for all holiday events

Reminiscence on an Old-Fashioned Christmas at Hearthside. The holiday decorations are simply gorgeous and fill the home three floors up. Visits from Santa, home made cookies and warm cider, live performances and so much more, this is the perfect place to celebrate with your friends & family! You may even want to make it your annual tradition!

Southern Rhode Island

Christmas in Newport
Now-December 28th
Times vary click here

Newport puts on a month long celebration in honor of the holiday season. There is an activity going on each day throughout the month of December, such as walking tours, craft fairs and museum visits. Newport is glowing with dazzling lights and decorations throughout the entire month. You must make a trip and see how incredible it looks and maybe even sneak in some holiday shopping!


Christmas at the Newport Mansions
Now-January 1st
The Breakers is open 9 am – 4 pm
The Elms & Marble House 10 am – 4 pm

Visiting the historic Newport Mansions; The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, during the holidays is a site you will forever remember. Between the thousands of poinsettias, evergreens, wreaths, 30 Christmas trees and the rest of the decor, you will be blown away with how beautiful it is. Make the best holiday memories with your family and book a tour today!

Narragansett Festival of Lights & 18th Annual Jingle Bell Run
The Towers
December 8th 10 am – 4:45 pm

Kent County Area

The Stone Ridge Candlelight Tour
Stone Ridge Neighborhood, East Greenwich
December 8th 5-9pm
FREE!

For over 30 years, the long-standing neighborhood, Stone Ridge, will be holding a Luminaria. The neighborhood will provide an outdoor display for the holidays which includes beautiful decorations and thousands of paper bag lanterns lining up the curbs, driveways and walkways. This is an event attracting people from all over the state, and the best part is you don’t even have to get out of your car!

Holiday Stroll Nights
Garden City Shopping Center
December 6th & 7th beginning at 5:30 pm

Holiday shopping can be a bit overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be a chore! Garden City has some of the best shopping in the state and there is a night dedicated to making your shopping experience the most festive ever! Listen to carolers and steel drummers as you walk in and out of the stores, watch ice carving demonstrations, and you may even run into a walking snowman! Don’t miss out on the greatest deals and promotions!

Victorian Holiday Tea
The Olde Kent County Jail, East Greenwich
December 14th from 2-4 pm
Buy your tickets!

Looking for something to do with your child that is somewhat out of the ordinary? Enjoy a festive tea time with sweets, hot cocoa, cider and more, all served on real china! You will have the chance to craft an ornament, learn about Victorian tea etiquette and take pictures with Santa!

Rhode Island has plenty going on this season to make your spirits cheerful and bright. Experience the warmth and charm of timeless New England holiday traditions, from carolers, festivals and pictures with Santa, there are all types of activities going on for you and your family to enjoy! We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.

Think Pink

Williams & Stuart Thinks Pink

As many of you already know, October was Breast Cancer Awareness month and our amazing team was able to come together and support this special cause throughout the entire month. We are big supporters of our community and we believe in helping those who need it most and offering support when and where we can. Breast cancer claims the lives of millions every year, of both men and women, and we are proud to have been a part of raising awareness and encouraging others to join the fight.

One of our wonderful agents, Jason Gelfuso, stepped up through the Real Men Wear Pink campaign and fundraised for breast cancer by wearing the color pink every single day throughout the month. Jason was able to surpass his goal of $10,000 to help donate towards cancer research with the help from so many incredible people. Jason finished up the month of wearing pink every day by riding a bike from our Warwick/East Greenwich office to our Cranston office in a fabulous, pink tutu!

We also are proud to have been a part of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Providence by sponsoring the finish line for our 11th year. Our team gathered together and handed out pink beads to everyone crossing the finish line. It was a wonderful day dressing up in pink and remembering those who have lost their lives from breast cancer, stand behind those who are still fighting the fight and support those who have survived.

Finally, our team turned their love for card games into a way to raise money towards breast cancer. We held a poker tournament right here at our main office in Cranston and invited close family and friends to join. It was a very successful night!

We are so lucky to have such an incredible group of individuals who care so much about their community. We are delighted to have raised thousands of dollars that will go directly towards funding breast cancer research. Although Breast Cancer Awareness month has come to an end, we continue to raise money throughout the entire year. Coming up in March 2020, we will be having our 12th “Bowling for a Cure” bowl-a-thon at the Cranston Bowling Alley. The attendees dress in costumes with team names like “spare the pair”, “natures best dairy”, and “breast friends” and spend the night raising money for a great cause. We hope you can join us! Thank you for your continued and future support.

A cornmaze in this cornfield in rural Central New Jersey.

Celebrate fall in the Ocean State

There is nothing quite like celebrating fall in Rhode Island. Although the cooler weather has officially arrived, it is not quite time to hibernate for winter…yet. This is one the most beautiful and festive times of the year and the Ocean State sure knows how to provide some great family fun.Enjoy your time together as a family and take a break from all the traveling you did this past summer!

Celebrate the last few weeks of Fall outdoors at your local Rhode Island farms:

Clark Farms is located in Matunuck, Rhode Island and offers many family activities, such as hayrides, a corn-maze, a petting zoo, go-karts, an Ecology house, a corn pit, and so much more. They have a beautiful plant selection and you can grab a warm apple cider or coffee while you shop and let the kids play! This is a great place to stay busy with your family and spend your day outdoors.
Plan your visit at 2984 Comm Perry Hwy., Matunuck, RI 02879. Open M-F 9-5, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4

Learn more about the area here.

Confreda Greenhouses & Farms is located in Scituate, Rhode Island and is a long-standing 400-acre farm that is filled with lots of fall fun.Not only is this a farm with a corn maze, hay rides, and a giant slide, but they also are rated as one of Rhode Islands top choices for high quality plants, produce and delicious gourmet foods.

Plan your visit at 2150 Scituate Ave., Hope RI 02831. Open M-F 10-6, sat 9-5, Sun 9-5
Learn more about the area here.

Dame Farm & Orchard is located in Johnston, Rhode Island and one thing you can always count on is their fresh produce & local honey. There also is an “a-maize-ing” corn maze which totals out to about 2 miles of trails as well as wagon rides for the entire family. This gives you the chance to see the entire farm from your seat!

Plan your visit at 91B Brown Ave., Johnston, RI 02919. Open M-F 8:30-6, Sat 9-4
Learn more about the area here.

Escobar’s Highland Farm is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This farm is the perfect place to keep your family entertained with its epic 8-acre corn maze, and a picturesque hayride through the dairy farm, where you can feed apples to the cows! You can also even bring your furry friend, as long as they are kept on a leash!

Plan your visit at 255 Middle Rd., Portsmouth, RI 02871. Open Sat 10-5 Sun 11-5
Learn more about the area here.

Salisbury Farm is located in Johnston, Rhode Island and has a wide range of activities for families for enjoy. One of their most popular is their gigantic corn maze which is cut out of a five acre field of corn. They also offer free hayrides so you can get a tour of the 55 acre family farm. You can also count on this Rhode Island farm for seasoned firewood to keep you toasty this winter!

Plan your visit at 11 Peck Hill Rd., Johnston, Rhode Island 02919. Open M-Sun 10-5
Learn more about the area here.

Manfredi Farms is located in Westerly, Rhode Island. Once you get there, you might never want to leave! The expansive gardens are incredible, the farm stand is filled with delicious produce, and the baked good are right out of the oven. There are even adorable animals to pet! One of the best attractions this farm has to offer is Farmer’s golf, which is a modified 10-hole golf game, played with wooden clubs on farmland itself, making it a little more tricky than your typical game of golf!

Plan your visit at 59 Dunns Corners Bradford Road, Westerly, RI 0289. Open daily 10-7
Learn more about the area here.

No matter what part of Rhode Island you are in you can always find gorgeous local farms! Before your days shorten and the temperatures drop below freezing, get outside and appreciate the beautiful fall foliage this awesome state has to offer! To learn more about the different neighborhoods in Rhode Island and what local farm is closest to where you live or where you are looking to move to, click here.

Real estate agent pushing a button with a symbol of house on a transparent screen

Anatomy Of A Williams & Stuart Estate Agent

What Is A Real Estate Agent?

Buying or selling property is considered a major financial and emotional undertaking. Going at it alone can take a lot of time and energy – with no guarantee of getting the best result. That’s where real estate agents come in. Many people feel hiring a real estate agent is the best option to help reduce risk, lessen possible mistakes, and get accurate market insight that could help in the decision-making process. After all, real estate agents are licensed professionals with years of experience to draw from. Whether you’re in the market to buy or sell a property, they are trained to guide you through every phase of a sale.

What Does A Real Estate Agent Do Exactly?

Some of the responsibilities of a real estate agent change based on if they’re working with a buyer or a seller, overall though, real estate agents help by doing the heavy lifting for administrative/legal work, research, and marketing. Here are a few key duties.

Working With Buyers

  • Coordinate and oversee open houses
  • Arrange meetings with prospective buyers through email or phone calls
  • Interview buyers to understand what they’re looking for in a new property
  • Schedule property showings
  • Coordinate appraisals and inspections
  • Negotiate property repair requests and offers on behalf of the buyer
  • Draft and review documents and contracts
  • Guide buyer through the closing process

Working With Sellers

  • Prepare comparative market research analysis to calculate a realistic asking price
  • Pinpoint properties’ top selling points and investment opportunities to improve value.
  • Stage the property to make it appealing to buyers
  • Photograph the property
  • List the property on the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
  • Advertise real estate properties to gain the attention of prospective buyers
  • Schedule property showings and open house events
  • Draft and prepare documents, such as offers, contracts, and closing statements
  • Communicate with appraisers, escrow companies, lenders, and home inspectors

What’s A Real Estate Agent’s “Why”?

You know “how” how a real estate agent does their job, so now may you be asking for the “why”? Most people believe every agent has the same goal — sell a house for the most money in the least amount of time. But there’s much more to it than that. A good agent gets a good deal, a great agent truly aims to help people love where they live.

At Williams & Stuart, we take it one step further. With us, you get more than “just another real estate brokerage” – you get home-grown expertise, one-on-one partnership, a mentor sharing all the tips and tricks, and a genuine commitment to local communities. We’re more than just qualified, we care. Look around and you’ll see more than our pretty white signs rooted in your community’s soil. We are your neighbors, sponsor your local little league teams, and fundraise on an annual basis to support local charities of all sizes. We know just how important homes are to each person, family, and to our communities.

Have questions about the buying or selling process? Looking to get started? Let’s start a conversation.

Contact us today @ 401-942-0200.