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Mark Corbett

Mark Corbett and friends participate in the Somerville Jingle Bell 5k Race

12-17-08
Mark Corbett

Photo of the Somerviller Banner

"Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way..." That's what I heard while running in my first 5k race this past Sunday on December 14, 2008 which was held in Somerville, Ma called the "Somerville Jingle Bell Run" which was put on by http://www.baevents.com/jinglebell/

There were 4,200 register runners and walkers. My good friend Jim West, told me about the race and I'm glad he did. This race was so much fun especially doing it with my good friends.

The race started off down Holland St. Many of the racers were dressed in holiday costumes. While I was jogging, girls dressed up as reindeers and a guy dress as Santa past me by. And then I saw a Gingerbread Man. I thought to myself. Run as fast as you can Mr. Gingerbread Man. Many runners were in Christmas colors, too. I have to confess I was not. I then turned on to Broadway, and took a right on North Street. Then we took a left on Powerhouse Rd. with a steep hill, which was challenging. I then took a right on Cedar St. and right onto the Bike Path. Over all the race was on easy terrain. After finishing the race they gave everyone a finish metal. They also gave us a nice tee sheet, just for participating in the race.

map of somerville jingle bell 5k course

My friend Brian Salisbury who was also in the race with his wife Jody showed me a neat website that allows you to see the elevation of your run at www.mapmyrun.com

The last time I did a 5k race was when I was back in Lincoln High School in RI.

Here are my results of the race.

Place Divpl Tot Div Guntime Nettime Pace Name Ag S Race# City/state

3132 39/41 CLY03 48:07 44:53 14:27 Mark Corbett 35 M 998 Lincoln RI

Here is the link to the race results. www.coolrunning.com/results/08/ma/Dec14_Somerv_set1.shtml

I looking forward to doing another one with my friends this coming year, maybe the 5k for Saint Patrick Day http://www.baevents.com/rasnaheireann/ which will be at Davis Square - Somerville, Massachusetts 11:00 A.M. - March 15, 2009

My friend Jim wants us to set a goal to do 12 races this coming year. I will have to think about that! After the race my friends and I decided to go to Ryles for a well-deserved brunch. http://www.ryles.com/

photo of friends 5k Somerville Race

Picture of my Friends at the Starting of the Race!

If purchasing a Rhode Island luxury home should I get a pre-approval letter from a lender?

12-13-08
Mark Corbett

As a certified exclusive buyer agent and trained in negotiating I recommend that buyers purchasing Rhode Island luxury homes still get a lender to issue them a Pre-approval letter. Buyers purchasing RI luxury homes usually ask why, since they can get a letter from their accountant, financial planner or attorney. The message a letter from one of these professionals informs the seller that you have MONEY and can go up in price, even if the letter does not give a dollar amount. Even though you are looking in this price range there is no reason to let the seller know the maximum amount you qualify for. Most buyers submit with an offer a pre-approval and when the listing agent sees something different, it can send a red flag announcing you're wealthy. Do you think a seller that knows this will want to negotiate with you?

A pre-approval letter builds a wall around a buyer who has weak financially issues, and the seller will not know this, and will only be told that they are Pre-approved for the amount that they are offering, which make them a strong buyer. The buyer has taken the further step to be lender approved rather then just qualified. It's only the house that needs to get so called "approved" with inspections and appraisal. The weak financially buyer is leveraging the power of the lender. Just like the Pre-approval can shield a buyers weak financially issues it can also shield a buyer who is purchasing a luxury home.

One of the advantages of doing this tactic is that it does not tip the seller in thinking you have the ability to increase your offer. With each offer the pre-approval can be customized for the amount that you are offering. If the offer is rejected a new pre-approval letter can be submit with your counter offer and by doing this will not show your hand to the seller.

Just because you qualify to spend more does not mean that you should overpay for a Rhode Island luxury property. As a certified exclusive buyer agent the advantages of using certified exclusive buyer agent is our negotiating skills and confidentiality that we give to all our clients and knowing that our company only represents Buyers 100% of the time and our goal is to negotiate the price down and terms in the buyer's favor.

If you have excellent credit, and will be purchasing a $400,000-$1,500,000 or more home or condo in the Providence, Rhode Island area, or surrounding RI neighborhoods or Southern Massachusetts in the next 90 days and would like to be represented by the Corbett TEAM of Certified Exclusive Buyer Agents (Trained in "Negotiation" for representing ONLY BUYERS 100% of the time!)"Call us at 401-725-5608 for a phone consultation!