Seaport Real Estate Group Blog - Advisory Services

Temporary Buydowns: An Alternative to Price Reductions.

The reality of price reduction is that when a seller lowers their price, the buyer may not know that the price has been reduced, and they likely don’t really care, because they will begin their negotiation from the new, lower price. When this happens, the seller gets no credit for reducing the price, and that is a shame. Also, after a seller or builder has done a price reduction, they are much less likely to entertain the thought of another one. So, reducing price is not always the best option if that leaves no further room for negotiations, which is understandable.

 When the buyer looks for financing, they are seeking the lowest interest rate available on the mortgage, with 0 points. As you know, a buyer can pay a point or two and get a lower interest…

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How Climate Change is Reshaping Insurance and the Housing Market

The growing ferocity and frequency of extreme weather events, tied intrinsically to the rapidly changing climate, have sent shockwaves through sectors that once thrived on predictability and historical data – notably, the insurance and housing markets. Jacob Bogage’s recent Washington Post article encapsulates the urgency and gravity of the situation, focusing on how major insurers are pulling away from covering the very natural disasters that are increasing in frequency.

Insurance companies, at their core, are in the business of evaluating and pricing risk. Historically, they've spread these risks across various geographies and disaster types, ensuring that catastrophic payouts in one region are balanced by calmer conditions elsewhere. However, as…

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Should the Grey Water from Washing Machines be expelled into the Septic System?

Professionals in the real estate industry often face complex issues involving regulations and guidelines that impact their clients' properties. One such issue is the disposal of wastewater from washing machines into septic systems. To ensure the best outcomes for clients, real estate professionals must conduct thorough due diligence and vet the sources of information they rely on. The case of Tim Bray, broker/owner of Seaport Real Estate Services, highlights the importance of obtaining accurate information from reliable sources, especially when dealing with matters that can have significant consequences for homeowners.

Due diligence is the process of gathering and analyzing information to make informed decisions. This often involves researching…

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Embracing the Value-Driven Approach

In today's fast-paced and competitive real estate market, many realtors are experiencing frustration with the current business landscape. The growing emphasis on marketing, lead generation, and sales tactics has overshadowed the fundamental principles of the profession: providing exceptional value and service to clients. However, there is a better way to succeed in this evolving industry by focusing on adding value to the consumer through extensive research, advanced valuation techniques, and personalized service rather than solely relying on marketing strategies and Lead generation. 

The Value-Driven Approach

At its core, the value-driven approach emphasizes the importance of understanding client's needs, preferences, and goals. This approach…

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2022 Connecticut Real Estate Mill Rates by Town

Real Estate Taxes in Connecticut can vary greatly depending on the municipality and districts within them.  The graphic above illustrates the base rates for each town. Additional rates are applied to specific locations where services are provided.  These services can include public water, sewer, trash removal,  police services, or a firehouse.  A town or district with a lower Mill rate may not offer these services.  Your real estate agent will be able to help you to determine the services offered and their importance to you when purchasing real estate. The average property tax rate in CT for 2022 is $31.29 with the highest being Hartford at $74.29 and the lowest being Salisbury at $11. 

How to Calculate Connecticut Property Taxes

The…

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2022 Rhode Island Commercial Mill Rates by Town

Commercial Real Estate Taxes in Rhode Island vary greatly by town and are typically correlated to the services which each town provides.  A town with a lower Mill rate may not offer services such as public water and sewer, perhaps waste disposal, or a firehouse. Your real estate agent will be able to help you to determine the services offered and their importance to you when purchasing real estate. The average commercial property tax rate in Rhode Island for 2022 is 20.41 with the highest being Central Falls at 42.33 and the lowest being Little Compton at 6.04.  Please note that Property taxes can have a substantial impact on the cash flow of a property making it more or less appealing to a lender, investor, or potential owner occupant.  Contact a…

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