Rhode Island

One of the best and easiest ways to keep your home insurance policy cost down is to take safety precautions in your home. Here are 8 ways to protect your home against electrical fires:

• Use a power strip instead of an extension cord in an electric socket when you need to plug in a lot of things.

• Never run electrical cords under “areas of wear” such as rugs, over nails, or in traffic areas.

• Never use a standard extension cord for a major appliance or a heat-producing appliance; instead, use a heavy-duty extension cord.

• Choose only electrical devices that carry the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) rating.

• Don't yank plugs out of the electric socket – you could bend the prongs and up the chances of it becoming dangerous.

• Replace any cord or plug that is cracked, discolored, or feels hot to the touch when in use.

• If your lights flicker and/or appliances run slowly, or if you have a fuse that repeatedly blows, call an electrician. That means your system is overloaded.

• Don't use a bulb with more wattage than a lamp or fixture is rated to accommodate, or the unit will overheat.

Podmaska Insurance is an independent insurance agency in the Pawtucket, Rhode Island area. To learn more about Pawtucket, Cranston, Johnston, and Providence home insurance, contact them today.

In recent times we have seen the following scenario enacted by real estate listing agents 3 times in the last 6 weeks in various parts of Rhode Island. The scenario is that we have a lead come in from our web resources (some 25 websites) for a buyer... we contact the buyer lead, and develop a relationship with them... we send them listings to review, and select out a few to go see. We schedule the appointments with the listing agents... the buyers are informed of the role of a buyers agent, and seem pleased to have an agent working on their behalf... of course, most dont know that the listing agent serves the interest of the seller... especially since listing agents generally do not say this to "customers"...

We (the buyer agent and the buyer) agree to view houses on, say, Tuesday. We set the first appointment for 5:30 in the evening, since the buyers will take that long to get to the listing from work. As it turns out, the buyers arrive 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. The listing agent is present, and decides to start showing the buyer the house before our agent arrives, 5 minutes early...

During this time, the listing agent talks to the buyers about how they found the house... the buyers tell them. When our agent arrives, the listing agent is rude, accusing our agent of stealing the listing... they mean that having the listing on our websites is somehow illegal or unethical... they make a big deal of this in front of our buyers. The buyers get confused.

In one instance, the listing agent started saying that she was a member of the same country club as the buyer, lived 2 blocks away, and why were these buyers dealing with an agent that would steal listings.

Of course, there is not anything wrong with showing listings on our websites... we do it as per the agreement we have with our MLS, showing all available listings that we are able. But already the listing agent is convincing the buyers that we are somehow unethical, and that they shoudl work with the listing agent, not us.

Now as a matter of fact, any agent can show all MLS listings that are allowed on the web on their own websites... this is in in complete accord with the MLS rules, and we pay for the service.

Two things are possible: 1) The listing agent is simply clueless about how the MLS works or 2) they are intentionally badmouthing our agent to our client.

Which do you think is true?

I can understand that times are hard for some agents out there... and they may be even desperate for a payoff. However, this is seriously unethical, immoral, and downright rude. If you as a buyer see this sort of thing going on, you should know that any agent can have listings on their websites if they are willing to pay for them. You should also know that this is common practice, and that the agent you see acting in this manner should be aware of it. At least. Telling a buyer that this is somehow wrong, and trying to make the other agent look bad is just a reflection on the desperation of the agent in question, or just a reflection of their ignorance about the current (last 10 years) of technological advances in their own industry...

Would you want to work with a desperate agent who either willfully badmouths others, or is just plain ignorant of their own industry?

I hope not...

If you hear of this sort of thing, or see it with your own eyes, run fast and far from that agent, because if they are willing to stoop this low against another agent, whom they have to work with into the future, what will tehy be willing to do to you?

Be very very careful out there, all agents are not making a living, and some are becoming desperate, and are falling into very untrustworthy habits. Make sure you are represented properly.

For some interesting takes on Agency and Buyer Agency, visit our real estate information packed website.

It’s unfortunate how many car owners find auto insurance premiums so complicated. They sit with an insurance agent, lost as the agent builds their policy. What is the agent doing? Are they trying to rope me into getting coverage I don’t need? I don’t understand what everything means…

But in actuality, auto insurance premiums are based on very simple principles. Your agent will basically determine what risk factors you have, and once you reach a place where you’re comfortable with your coverage, that’s really all that’s involved.

The risk factors will be based on things like your gender, age, occupation, driving record, type of vehicle, and where you live. As you can see, some of these risk factors are under your control and some aren’t.

However, the decision on what coverage to purchase will be up to you. The agent will make strong suggestions (see below), but you have to choose what makes you feel safe. Normally, the three main types are Liability Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage, and Collision Coverage, but there are other sub-options as well, such as Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance.

The types of coverage that are normally strongly recommended by agents are Liability Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage, and Collision Coverage, so don’t be surprised when those are suggested. Liability will cover the damages you’re responsible for when you’re involved in an accident. Collision covers damage to your own vehicle in the event of an accident, and Comprehensive covers damage to your vehicle that is not accident-related, such as damage caused by a natural disaster, vandalism, or theft.

It’s never a good idea to settle only for the minimum coverage required by law. The more auto insurance you buy, the cheaper it is, meaning you can get more coverage with just a slight increase in your policy. It comes down to you deciding what will make you feel safe when it comes to insuring the safety of your vehicle. The agent is there to help you – not confuse you!

Podmaska Insurance is an independent insurance agency in the Pawtucket, Rhode Island area. To learn more about Pawtucket, Cranston, Johnston, and Providence auto insurance, contact them today.

Welcome to a new series of posts regarding some of the more interesting spots in Providence.  Today, I decided to start with a place near my home to which I've walked several times.  I passed by today, only to learn that I had mis-remembered the hours, so I thought it made sense to share that, and more with you. 

The East Side Prescription Center is a pharmacy located in the Mount Hope neigborhood on the East Side of Providence.  One of the city's few independant pharmacies, and the only one on the East Side, it is a welcome respite from the corporate pharmacy chains that dominate that industry. 

The small store has a relatively wide selection of the kind of products you'd expect a pharmacy to have: over the counter medication, first aid supplies, spiral bound notebooks, and Chef Boyardee canned spaghetti. 

It has an even wider selection of something that you might not expect to see in a pharmacy - a great wine selection. 

How different is that?  Pick up your prescription and choose a bottle of wine or a 6-pack.  They even offer occasional tastings guided by their own sommelier, Daniel Nuzum.  In addition to roughly 500 wines and 75 beers, the store also carries a full selection of liquor for those so inclined.

The East Side Prescription Center is located at the corner of Hope and Elgin Streets, at 632 Hope Street.  It is open until 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and until 3:00 PM on Sundays. 

Enjoy!

Last night, Melissa and I went out for dinner with our friend Julie.  We chose Andreas on Thayer Street in Providence.  I had never been, but my dining partners couldn't wait for me to try real Greek food.  I can't wait to go back!  We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share:

• Dolmathakia (Dolma)- both regular and vegetarian.  I prefer the vegetarian - more of a lemony flavor.  They are grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs and spices.  The non-vegetarian version comes with ground beef. 
• Fried Calmari - With cherry peppers.  Perfectly done, and not greasy at all.
• Spanikopita - Their version came in a wedge, and not too much phyllo. STUFFED with spinach, feta and herbs.  Also not greasy.
• Grilled Haloumi Cheese - They had a special last night - grilled Haloumi cheese with mint.  I really hope to see this on the menu again - or in a store so I can make my own!
• Sauteed Shrimp Santorini - garlic, sundried tomatoes and olive oil
• Greek Sausage Saute - with lemon, olive oil and pita
• Marathon Salad - Romaine with grilled figs, sundried tomatoes and gorgonzola.  I think the dressing was made with sundried tomatoes as well.  I didn't know I liked figs!

Everything was so fresh and perfectly cooked.  The table was covered with plates of food. It was a fun night and our server, Raul, was very attentive and helpful.  We all rolled out of there stuffed and happy. 

I haven't been able to find a website for Andreas, but here's a link to a review from the Providence Journal a couple of years ago, if you'd like to read more.

Bob Black - REALTOR
Prudential Gammons Realty

BBlack@PrudentialGammonsRealty.com

401.942.8844 ext 28

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