Chet Szafranski

Tell all your friends! Now is the time to buy real estate in Rhode Island! Multi units are at prices where there is positive cash flow. Foreclosures have brought single family prices in Providence to under $100K in some areas. Short sales are a great buy also! Most buyers can own for less than they are paying rent if they can quality for a mortgage. I know this is the hard part but many lenders have credit repair programs and FHA with 3% down. Plus interest rates are low too!

With all the negative press out there Im telling everyone I know buy up as much property as they can because you never know when prices will be this low again. If you are a buyer and need help finding a home please contact me. Now is a great time to buy!

This Holiday season is no different than any other.Tis the season for giving! But this year I'm giving more than store bought gifts. I'm going to volunteer at a local soup kitchen. I'm not asking you all to do this because I know it involves time and time is precious. So if you cant volunteer at the many charities in your local town then just be nice to people this season. Let the person go who is in a big hurry, hold the door for the person behind you. I think the biggest gift we can give is our smile. It doesn't cost anything to smile and it makes you and the person receiving feel better.

I remember one Christmas I went up to a stranger who looking for nickel cans in the garbage. I gave her $20 and her face lit up and could not believe that I was doing that. I forgot to mention I am helping my local church deliver presents to shut-ins next weekend. This is the second year I do this and they really appreciate the gift and the short visit I spend with them. I am not posting this for any attention to myself whatsoever. I just want to let you know there are many random acts of kindness we can all do this Holiday season.

Happy Holidays,

Chet Szafranski

Keller Williams Realty

I had the pleasure of trying a little Indian restaurant in Providence called "Not just snacks". It is located at 833-835 Hope St. The restaurant originated from a market across the street called "Not just spices" and I was very impressed with the food, the prices and service.

My guest and I started out with appetizers. We tried allu-tikki stuffed with potato and peas. Then we had samosas. The filling is made with a combination of mixed vegetables, and a variety of Indian spices, such as garlic paste, ginger paste, cumin powder, coriander leaves, spring onions, chili peppers, lemon juice and an Indian spice called Garam Masala . It is then filled into the single layer of samosa pastry (which is rolled to form a cone) and sealed with a flour and water paste. They have a glass case in front and you can go and see all the appetizers and pick out what looks good to you.

I forgot to mention that it is BYOB but I had the Marsala tea and water. Next came the entrees which cost between 5 and 10 dollars. I ordered Biryani: From the kitchen of Nizams & Nawabs, a delicacy of perfumed rice and whole spices sealed in a pot. and my guest ordered Chicken korma, a creamy delicacy of grilled chicken cubes cooked with a paste of nuts and spices. Both meals were enough to have leftovers.

For desert we tried gulub juman soaked with honey and I must admit I will be back again. The whole meal including tip cost under $40. So if you are in Providence and want to try a new restaurant give it a try.

This holiday season here is my wish list:

• That every child receives a gift of love
• No one goes hungry and everyone donates to the RI food bank
• The foreclosures start declining
• Our leaders in RI get the spending under control and balance the budget
• Our unemployment rate in RI drops
• That no one has to stand on the street corner begging for money
• That our local animal shelters are busy because pets make great holiday gifts
• And lastly all children up for adoption in RI find a safe and loving home.

Fannie mae has sent a notice to its lenders and attorneys that all Foreclosures on Fannie Mae backed loans will be suspended until 2009. This is being done while the Federal Government streamline modification program is being implemented. The streamline program takes effect on December 15, 2008. If you know any one facing foreclosure please ask them to call their lender to see if they have a Fannie Mae backed loan. I have already helped one family with this.

Happy Thanksgiving

Chet Szafranski

Keller Williams Realty