Kathleen Smith Personalized Real Estate Services

Living along the banks of the Pawcatuck River on either the Rhode Island side or the Pawcatuck, CT side, is something not to be missed.

From 1996 through 2002 we rented a home on the Westerly side of the river. There was a dock in the back yard, another duplex and two apartments attached to the main house which is where we lived. The yard was gorgeous and the view of the river is something I can still see to this day. I never realized when we answered the ad that my life would forever change. The neighbors became family and together we enjoyed cooking out and boating. There is a barrier beach in the Watch Hill area of the river and we enjoyed countless days with each other and our children. From boating, clamming, para-sailing and just tying up our boats together, my life was nothing but fun. Living on the river is something that I wish everyone could experience just once. I remember thinking that my life was so perfect. There was literally nothing I could think of that was wrong with anyone or anything. I really miss those days and are so lucky to have such great memories. Our children were able to learn so much about marine life and how to respect our natural resources. If there is anyone out there wishing for a perfect vacation spot or year round home, our office has two listings. One on each side of the river. When viewing the RI home for the first time, I was shocked to find it almost identical in view, feeling and excitement. I wish I could express to others how much their life would improve by purchasing this magnificent property. If able, I would purchase this in a blink.

I have enclosed a photos of the property in Watch Hill. I hope that someone will take advantage of these great opportunities before they are gone. Properties along the river seldom turn up. When they do they rarely last even in this market. The one on the CT side of the river has yet to upload a photo.

Thanks,

Katie Smith

Hi,

I received this from a mortgage company president that we work with. He knows how much we value our computers in this business and has forwarded this to everyone that he knows asking that we do the same. I thought I would post this for everyone to read. Thanks!

Kathleen Smith

Weichert Staff,

Hi All, I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus! I checked Snopes (URL above:), and it is for real!! Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP. PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS! You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,' regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list. This is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it. If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even though sent to you by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately. This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been classi fied by Microsoft as th eost destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS. REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US!

Brian Faye New England Mortgage.

I am wondering if there is anyone out there that feels the same way about the National/Local Association of Realtors as I do. I feel that the dues are far too much and in return we receive nothing worthwhile aside from the MLS. Joining the MLS without the association seems like something that is not allowed. I wish I tried to join just the MLS without both the National and Local Association of Realtors. I am also hoping that this blog will not bar me from renewing if I have to.

I thought because I was taught throughout the class how important this association was that I would barely be able to sell without it. I find now that it is nothing more than a large bill that must be paid. Everything offered cost more money. Yes, they offer core classes and classes that are interesting but so do the real estate schools. I am hoping that I am wrong and someone can tell me why this is a must have among real estate agents. I know that we have a local page called RIliving and this offers visitors to the site a chance to find a home and agent but as far as this is concerned, there are many sites that do the same without charging. As a new agent it is very difficult to gain access without going broke. I know that this was not the best time to enter a new career but I know too that I will succeed and will be able to become one of the more helpful agents if only I could afford to without losing my shirt.

It would please me to see others that want more for their money and who strive for answers from the current association. We could get together and create a new name and charge for its use. How about Realestator? or Propertor? Creating more assiciations would cause competition and a price decrease.

Just a thought

Katie Smith

Specializations in Realestate

Real estate is something we enjoy doing and for this reason many remain in the field despite the difficulty in earning a living. One thing many of us enjoy is specializing in areas we are comfortable and knowledgeable with. For me, unique and historic properties are my favorite. I am also experienced and knowledgeable in working with homeowners whose home failed to sell when listed with another agency. I have seventeen years of experience in this area and love the thrill of discovery. When I am able to pinpoint the reason a home remained on the market after the expiration of the contract I feel I have achieved success.

I began my love of historic homes in 1989 when working with an architect whose business was disassembling historic property that was slated for demolition. He, along with his crew, would go to the site, take the home down piece by piece and number each and every thing that was salvageable. The pieces of the home are placed in large barns on his property and sold to buyers who've chosen a piece of land. Once the permits are in place the crew transports the pieces and reconstructs the home on a new foundation. There are of course new things added that complete the home but it is so amazing to watch. This architect was on "Sunday Morning With Charles Kuralt." Once I worked in his home which was renovated on its original foundation I was hooked. Horse farms are something I love. I rented a horse farm for a few years and cared for a rescue horse, Freckles. She was magnificent. My goal is to earn enough money to purchase a farm and begin a rescue agency in our area. I will always sell real estate but have this special feeling for all living things and want to ensure that animals have a sanctuary in which they can live in peace. I would feel as though I lost my niche if I were to give up my specializations and hope this does not happen any time soon. I would love to hear from others that specialize and know if they too feel that they are now forced to take what they can get or if they are holding out for the areas they love.

I wish everyone a great fall and winter season and hope and pray that the housing market is good to all of us.

Katie

Trying to understand the bailout bill has been so difficult. When someone reports on the story they are giving their opinion but not stating the real reason why this occurred. Because a lot of what happens next controls my income I want to not only know but understand why this started in the first place. I do know that panic contributes to the final outcome. When media publishes that a company is in trouble you can be sure that anyone with financial ties to will immediately pull up stakes and get the heck out of there.

I have been seeking an answer as to why this happened and how this all takes place. While listening to National Public Radio, I received the answer. The way it was explained made it so simple to understand and realize exactly what the bailout will do to help. While I was initially against the bailout I now realize that this very well may be the only way to get the housing market back on track so I can finally earn a decent living. There were several different speakers who explained their reasoning of the crisis. It was basically money that was insured against loss. When the companies failed the insurance that was supposed to cover the losses could not pay out enough causing them to fail and the investors had to take the loss. Many of these same investors are the same that take their earnings and then turn around and lend them to the banks and other financial institutions. Now that they didn't receive the insurance when the company they'd invested in went belly up, there is no more money to lend to the banks. When the banks do not have money there are no mortgages, loans for vehicles etc. This is how it is being passed onto us. The banks are not going to risk lending money to anyone whose credit is less than perfect. They want a guarantee that they will not lose their money. The other end is that there is little money to lend. If someone would normally borrow three hundred thousand dollars to purchase a home, they will receive less than half. Many are going to simply stay put. They feel they'd better keep their home and be happy they have one then risk selling and not being able to get another mortgage. This is going to make being a real estate agent one of the lowest paying jobs on the market. The government needs to do something to make housing more affordable and insure the loans made to people with good credit will be paid back. They will definitely make sure that anyone with poor credit will be a long time renter. They will also lend much less money than before.

The one thing that makes me furious is the amount of spending on state and government employees. They receive the best benefits, huge salaries and every single day off they possibly can. Instead of giving the jobs to people they know and paying huge amounts of money, they could educate the people who are forced to ask for welfare benefits and give them the money and jobs with all the benefits. This would dramatically cut back on welfare and give these people the tools they need and job opportunities to earn a great living. There are so many things that would save a fortune. There are such stupid grants and other things that waste money. One such idiotic thing was a grant that was on line that gave money to see how long it takes the average person to smell after a skunk sprays. I was so shocked when reading this and immediately wrote my representative to complain. There are many grants on line that anyone can apply for and most are stupid. You need to have a non profit company for most but they are such a waste of taxpayers money and time. I think the government should allow everyone to vote for or veto each bill that is going to be paid for out of our money. We pay the taxes thinking that the government needs this money to operate. We don't care how long it takes to smell a skunk because most of us are not stupid enough to stand still long enough to find out. I mean are you going to stand still and count to 10 or are you going to run. I think most would choose the latter.

Just my thoughts on the economy.

Have a great week!