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Giving Back at the Ronald McDonald House

J.Christopher Real Estate Group is committed to giving back to our community. On January 24th, we were pleased to support the Ronald McDonald House in Providence by cooking a meal for 30 family members of patients currently in Hasbro Children's Hospital. Families enjoyed glazed ham with pineapples, mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes and baked beans. Our staff also brought cheesecake and cupcakes for dessert. Ronald McDonald House invites members of the community to volunteer their time to prepare a home-cooked meal every night as an alternative to traditional hospital food.

Since 1989, Ronald McDonald House has been the only organization in the state to provide this type of support to families of pediatric patients. They offer different room sizes to accommodate families traveling with other children, a private courtyard to enjoy fresh air, community rooms with TV, computer access and activities for the families.

With an average cost of approximately $1.5 million dollars annually to operate the Ronald McDonald House, and just 10 paid staff members, the organization depends on the generosity and compassion of volunteers. Their mission is to relieve some of the stress a family faces when their child is hospitalized. The J. Christopher Real Estate Group team was honored to assist such a worthy organization.

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Knock out the competition with these home listing tips

While the real estate market in Rhode Island is on an upswing, many residents may be considering listing their property in the hopes of capitalizing on the trend. Although there is a shortage of starter homes in the Ocean State, the Rhode Island Association of Realtors recently announced that the number of mid-priced homes sold in 2017 eclipsed previous records — meaning buyers in these price ranges have more options. To make your home stand out from the crowd, J.Christopher Real Estate Group has some tips that can help you sell your home quickly.

“Home sellers can become so excited about listing their property that they can sometimes lose sight of their overall mission,” said Jarrod C. Lewis, owner of J.Christopher Real Estate. “In thinking about the windfall of money they might receive, homeowners might make renovations that can turn off some buyers or discourage potential buyers with a price that doesn’t align with the neighborhood.”

With a team of five real estate agents that are thoroughly informed about the Rhode Island market, J.Christopher Real Estate agents know what buyers are looking for in a new home. As you begin the home listing process, here are the do’s and don’ts when putting your home on the market.

Don’t make niche improvements

While a ‘man cave’ with a bar and ceiling mounted space for cinema viewing may be appealing to you, another family may have to think about the cost of undoing the project for a more family oriented space.

Do make upgrades that are widely appreciated

When making renovations to sell your home quickly, consider fixing peeling paint, cracked fixtures or installing new appliances. These things can motivate a buyer to make an offer quickly.

Don’t overdo the decorations

Setting up bright color themes that are to your personal preferences could discourage buyers looking for a modern look. Sellers should make an effort to choose decorations that are universally accepted, and easy to switch out.

Do make a good first impression

Buyers will form opinions the moment they see your home, which is why it is important that you maintain a clean curb, and entryway. Some flowers, new sod, and an impressive mailbox can set the stage for what buyers could expect to see in your home.

Do make arrangements to exit during tours

It can be difficult for buyers to envision themselves in your home if you are standing in the corner. This can lead some buyers to feel like an uninvited guest instead of being a future homeowner, which is why you should make arrangements for outside activities during scheduled tours. In addition, remove photos, religious items and political posters to give the potential buyer a blank slate when they see themselves living in your residence.

Don’t take offense to offers

There are many reasons why offers may be lower than expected that can include aspects from the appraisal, or comparable home listings. Keep a cool head to make sure you can work towards a resolution that works for both sides.

Do advocate how your home is different

While listing your property at an appropriate price is very important, home sellers should be able to describe why their home is attractive in the years to come. Whether it is a nearby public school with a stellar reputation, the proximity to important areas or amenities, or how your home is situated in a place where home values are expected to grow, there is always something that can make your home stand out.

As some homes languish in the real estate market for months on end, you can rest assured that J.Christopher Real Estate agents have the expertise to sell your home quickly, and at a fair price. For all of your real estate concerns and needs, speak with an agent at 401-830-6906 and see first-hand why we are ranked among the best realtors in Rhode Island.

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Time Management

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Keys to a new home could be in your Christmas stockings

Reduced prices await home buyers this time of year  

With the holiday season underway, many home buyers do not expect to be celebrating the holidays in a new home because they’re with planning getaways or trips to shopping centers. While signing for a home in December may be tricky, J.Christopher Real Estate Group would like to remind hopeful homeowners that they can still surprise the family with keys to a new home this upcoming season.

“Besides the obvious reasons why sellers might delist their homes in December, many properties will remain on the market. Buyers who continue their search through the winter will find better deals than they normally would in the spring or summer months,” said Jarrod C. Lewis, owner of J.Christopher Real Estate Group.

While buying a home around Christmas can be hectic because of unusual schedules, there are several reasons why December could be considered the best time to buy.

  • The number of home listings and total number of buyers tend to decrease in December because few people want to deal with tours or signing legal documents when one could instead spend time preparing for the big celebrations ahead. This means there is less competition for buyers, but they will also have fewer options to choose from this time of year.
  • Homes that remain in the market during the winter months tend to be listed by motivated sellers. While many sellers will remove their listings until the spring or summer to get a better price on their home, the sellers who are welcoming buyers into their homes for tours will usually want to close a sale as soon as possible. Add to the fact that there aren’t too many buyers at the moment, and what happens is that buyers have a little more leverage to purchase a home at a lower price.
  • Although this doesn’t happen in every scenario, the Christmas season can pull some heartstrings for sellers who want to help make another family’s dream of homeownership a reality.

With the magic of the season all around, J.Christopher Real Estate Group wants to help you move into a Winter Wonderland that you can call your own. Speak with one of our agents today at 401-830-6906 so you can kick off the New Year with a fresh start.

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Proud to be ranked among the best in New England

Jarrod C. Lewis, owner of J.Christopher Real Estate Group, has been named one of the top five Keller Williams Realty agents in all of New England.

J.Christopher Real Estate Group is an affiliate of Keller Williams Realty, a real estate franchise that has more than 139,000 associates from over 790 market centers around the world.
Across the New England region, Lewis outpaced hundreds of fellow Keller Williams agents by placing 5th for most closed units for October, 2017.

Carl Nardone, regional director of Keller Williams Realty, congratulated Jarrod for reaching this significant milestone, stating: “We are so proud of the great things Jarrod has achieved and for the difference he is making in people’s lives along the way.”

Jarrod was pleased to be recognized by Keller Williams for his hard work. “This distinction is incredibly humbling, and reinforces my belief that our clients should always be our top priority,” he said. “One of the reasons people enjoying working with our agency is because we take great care in ensuring every person is treated with respect regardless of their financial situation. I thank Keller Williams for recognizing our commitment to our clients.”

On days when Jarrod is not helping Southern New Englanders find homes, he can be found helping the community in other ways. Jarrod regularly donates a percentage of his real estate transactions to non-profit organizations such as Hasbro’s Children’s Hospital, the ASPCA and the Alzheimer’s Association. He is also a regular sponsor of the North Providence Senior Center.

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What you should consider before buying a fixer upper

­­­Fueled by the popularity of home renovations shows on HGTV and the DIY network, home buyers are touring houses with a fresh pair of eyes and an open mind. With median home prices in Rhode Island expected to rise, younger home buyers are taking the plunge on buying fixer uppers or ‘bare bones’ homes in the hopes that their investment will be worth it in the end. J. Christopher Real Estate Group cares about getting you into your dream house and wants to ensure you take certain considerations when buying a home that needs renovations.

There is another reason why home buyers are gravitating towards fixer uppers, according to Jarrod Lewis, owner of J. Christopher Real Estate Group. “Many Rhode Island homes have been around for a long time, but homes built in the 1990s with outdated designs and features are the ones primarily saturating the market,” Lewis said.

With a team of five real estate professionals, J. Christopher Real Estate Group understands that buying a home can be complex, especially when you’re considering buying a home that needs touch ups. In order to assist you in this important milestone, we have developed a list of things to consider before making an offer.

Check ‘comps’ for the area

Home buyers that have toured homes with real estate agents have probably heard the word ‘comps’ thrown around a few times. Comps is a short word for comparable prices around the same neighborhood. Real estate agents look at prices for similar homes — square feet, number of rooms, area code, and other factors — to determine whether you are paying a comparable price. If you know how much the house should be worth if it didn’t need repairs, you can make an offer that takes into account how much you will need to pay in remodeling costs. Ideally, if homes around the area are $250,000, and you know the house needs $50,000 in repairs, then it’s not unrealistic to offer $200,000 for the home.

Know when you need a professional

Home buyers should be careful about taking on projects they aren’t capable of doing themselves. Removing carpets, installing laminate flooring, painting and changing appliances are all DIY projects in which home owners can save money. For issues that involve plumbing, electrical work or home additions, call an appropriate professional because fixes can not only be dangerous, but they can also require permits and unforeseen expenses.

Factor in other costs

Depending on the home and the type of work that needs to be done, renovations can vary from $4,000 to over $50,000. You may have budgeted appropriately, but you should also consider the costs of eating out every day if you won’t have a functioning kitchen for a month. Besides these considerations, many contractors also suggest you put aside an additional 10 to 20 percent as a financial cushion if something goes wrong during the remodeling process like having to re-pipe the entire home.

Everything is a negotiation

Home owners often fail to realize that if they didn’t get the price they wanted for a home, they can still negotiate other aspects of the deal. You can suggest a number of fixes that need to be done before buying a house, or you can ask for the down payment to be partially, and in some cases completely, paid for by the seller. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular house, and the house has been on the market for several months, you may have some leverage to negotiate a better price. Without these conditions, however, the conversation can also go the other way and the seller can choose another buyer, so be careful how you approach any deals.

There is nothing wrong with buying a home that needs a cosmetic makeover or even a significant overhaul, but before getting involved in this process consider the tips mentioned above.

J. Christopher Real Estate Group wants to ensure clients understand what’s involved when buying a home that needs renovations. Call us at 401-830-6906 to learn more tips when buying a home that needs renovations or for any other real estate issues that concern you.

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Preparation is key for new home buyers looking to close the deal fast

From the real estate ads on the web to the open house signage sitting outside of that beautiful house you’ve been eying, first time home buyers are bombarded with information that can be overwhelming. Despite the wealth of information available, one of the least talked about topics is the emotions first time home buyers experience.  J. Christopher Real Estate Group understands that buying a home can be an exciting time. However, it’s also important that home buyers keep their emotions in check in order to make a logical home purchase.

“Buying a home is usually the largest financial decision someone will ever make, yet many home buyers are unprepared for what’s involved and therefore aren’t well equipped to make a good purchasing decision. Besides the heartaches that can result, unprepared home buyers may end up spending more money than they initially thought,” says Jarrod Lewis, owner of J. Christopher Real Estate Group.

J. Christopher Real Estate Group has a team of dedicated professionals that can improve your home buying experience and is committed to ensuring home buyers are happy with their decision. In order to assist you, we’ve developed a checklist for you to keep in mind before you officially kick off your house hunting.

Know your maximum price point

We know a home buyers’ time is valuable and when realtors have a good idea of a buyers’ maximum price point, we can narrow down the search and move the process more quickly.

Leave your emotions at the door

Buying a house is a business decision, and one that will impact your day-to-day living. While the prospects of moving into a new home are exciting, it becomes problematic when it influences the decisions you make. Home buyers who ‘fall in love’ with a specific house can find themselves overlooking major problems.

Get a pre-approval letter

Arguably, one of the saddest things that can happen for new home buyers is being denied for a home mortgage. Since the housing bubble, banks have become more stringent in offering mortgages to people of all backgrounds. After a long and grueling process to find the right home, many home buyers are denied mortgages at the last stage. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as not being at the same employer enough time; recently making a large purchase that bankers feel will get in the way of paying mortgages; or having large student loans that can interfere with your financial obligations.

Have an emergency fund for unexpected costs

Bankers make an effort to ensure you are not strapped for cash immediately after paying the down payment, realtor fees and other costs. This is a strategic decision because they have loaned you money and want to ensure payments are made on time. Because of this, banks want to make sure you have a sizable amount equal to a minimum of 6 months of mortgage payments stashed in the bank.

Practice budgeting for the real thing

A mortgage is a financial decision for the long haul. Many home buyers might not be accustomed to the financial obligation when they sign a 15 to 30-year mortgage. The transition is a little bit easier if you’ve been paying rent in the same amount every month for years. Additionally, it might be worthwhile to put away money that is equal to the amount you will be paying in preparation.

Think about your current living situation 

New home buyers rarely give a second thought to their current landlords when purchasing a home. This often places landlords in financial peril because of a lack of communication. When you get a firm timeline for the mortgage process, we’d advise you to alert your landlord the next time rent is due that you have found your new home.

Find a good realtor

Real estate agents and home buyers develop special relationships during the home buying process. Although you may not realize it, realtors are learning your preferences on home styles that interest you, different color paints you like, and patterns you didn’t even realize you dislike. We will do whatever it takes to meet you at your convenience.

This is where we can help.

There are many moving parts to consider before deciding to buy a home. J. Christopher Real Estate Group wants to ensure clients are well informed before house hunting so they are adequately prepared throughout the process.

Speak with a J Christopher Real Estate agent today at 401-830-6906 to learn how we can help you make your home buying dream a reality.

 

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Real Estate Options during a Divorce

At the J. Christopher Real Estate Group, we understand the complexities of real estate and life, and we have trusted lawyers that we work with to help people through the process of selling while navigating a divorce. Our experienced real estate professionals understand the issues clients face during a divorce and will provide step-by-step guidance to protect them legally and financially.

It is often helpful for sellers considering divorce to consult with a real estate agent before the divorce is settled. If the house is handled incorrectly during a divorce, one or both spouses may be ineligible to qualify for a mortgage. This could impact their ability down the road to refinance or buy a house with a new loan for years.

Not making the necessary adjustments to the homeowner’s insurance policy is another mistake divorcing couples make. Even if two people are married and on the deed, it does not necessarily mean that they are both insured on the home. If one spouse is listed only as an insurance beneficiary and remains in the home, he or she will not be covered after the divorce is final.

There are other factors that must also be taken into consideration when dealing with real estate during a divorce. What is the most effective way to agree on the value of your home? How will you equitably split the proceeds from the sale of your home? What are the tax implications for both parties once the sale is complete? These complex questions can easily be managed by an experienced, trusted real estate professional. At J. Christopher Real Estate Group, we recognize the emotional and financial burden of divorce and are committed to ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.

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Carrying the Burden During Your Time of Need

We at the J. Christopher Real Estate Group know the process of short selling a house can be difficult, but we want to do everything we can to help. When you find a willing buyer, but the offering price is less than the mortgage on the home, you have the option for a short sale.

If you need your name removed from a mortgage and there is no equity in your home, a short sale may be your best choice. In the post-Great Recession world of today, lenders are more forgiving about short sales. Getting approved for a short sale is not always easy, but after a divorce, lenders are more apt to agree to a short sale as opposed to a foreclosure.

Lenders are not being generous by allowing a short sale, they are being practical. By opting for a short sale, they are protecting their best interests. They do not want the home to foreclose. In many cases, lenders will not agree to a short sale unless you are behind in your mortgage payments and unable to pay a shortfall.

An example of a short sale would be if you owe $200,000 on a mortgage, and the property has dropped in value to the point you could only sell it for $180,000. In such a case, a lender may be more willing to let you sell it for $180,000 and walk away from the difference.

At the J. Christopher Real Estate Group, we understand that considering a short sale is a hard decision. Our team of real estate lawyers will work for your benefit, and we will deal with the banks for you. Someone on our team will always be available for whatever questions you may be struggling with, and we will help you put a plan together before you fall behind.

We at J. Christopher Real Estate Group care about our clients in their time of need. Give us a call at 401.830.6906 for a confidential free consultation in the privacy of your own house when you are ready to talk about short selling your home.

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First Time Homebuyers Qualify for Thousands in Down Payment Assistance

Rhode Island Housing’s new Down Payment Assistance Program is helping hundreds of Rhode Islanders achieve their dream of homeownership. Designed to help strengthen housing demand and increase homeownership opportunities for first time homebuyers, this program offers $7,500 in down payment assistance.

J. Christopher Real Estate Group has seen first-hand the difference this program has made for first time buyers. We strive to help buyers enjoy the experience of owning a home, while respecting the reality of a budget. If you are considering purchasing your first home, now is the time to get the process started. The Down Payment Assistance Program is a great way to manage your budget, while also making positive steps towards your future.

To qualify for the program, the property must be located within one of the six communities hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis: Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick, Woonsocket. The individual seeking to purchase must be a first-time homebuyer purchasing a 1-4 family home or condominium. The individual must also complete a homebuyer education course (offered online through Rhode Island Housing), meet Rhode Island Housing loan and income limits, obtain a Rhode Island Housing-funded first mortgage through a participating lender or Rhode Island Housing, and occupy the home as a primary residence. If you meet these requirements then this program was designed for you. We want to help ensure that you are making responsible, reliable and reasonable decisions when it comes to buying a home and this program was designed to help you do just that.

To learn more about the Down Payment Assistance Program and whether you qualify, please feel free to give us a call at 401.830.6906. We specialize in first time homebuyers and want to be a resource for you to help make the process as stress-free and smooth as possible.

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About Us

Built for people like us.
Licensed in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, J.Christopher Real Estate Group is the go-to real estate solution for people who value hard work and results. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’re selling your long-time family home, you’re always our top priority because you’re our client.

Led by Jarrod Lewis, J.Christopher Real Estate Group is a team of professionals working to provide our clients with personalized customer service backed by years of trusted, industry experience.

We treat people like we expect to be treated, and we understand the value of hard work. This means we will be there for you at night and on the weekends to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Testimonials

Lori McVey was nothing short of an excellent and amazing realtor. She is very knowledgeable and understanding and was conscientious to my situation, as well as the entire process of home buying and what to look for and do, etc. When I needed her to come through on something she did so and then some.

Kyle White

Can't say enough about Jarrod and his team. Honest and straight forward, I got a a strong sense of his integrity when I first met him and my first impression was correct. He and Stefanie were always available immediately when I called them. No waiting endlessly for a response or wondering why they hadn't called.

Kevin McGrath

Jarrod and his team were excellent. I can confidently say I am not the easiest person to work with, however Jarrod made the process seem less. Quick responses, honest and very knowledgeable. At NO point did I ever feel “out of the loop” or second guessing. The only team I will be working with for

Jared Caparco

I absolutely love this company. This was my second time using them and they did not disappoint! Jarrod and Lori are so caring. They went above and beyond for my family. My mother passed away during our selling process, I received a beautiful care package as condolences. If I was unable to be at the

Jessica Betchel

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! We worked with Vinny over a long period of time where he easily and graciously guided us through every aspect of the ever-changing market. He was patient and knowledgeable during the entire process. He gave us the tools we needed to make informed decisions while

Amanda Fellela

Selling your home can be very stressful, and through all of it, Katherine (Katie) Riley, was our calm in the storm. Katie is available, responsive, knowledgeable, and attentive. When we needed an answer about anything in the process, she was right there. Katie handled other agents, the open houses, inspections, and even our oil company

Jon Luckenbach

I had a great experience with this real estate group Silvano was my realtor and he was very helpful and knowledgeable. He even took the time to show me a house after 5 PM. I really enjoyed working with this real estate group I was able to buy my very first home with them and

Otacha Lewis

I would highly recommend J Christopher Real Estate team. They work hard for their clients to make sure all your needs and concerns are addressed. They are excellent communicators responding to inquiries quickly and efficiently. They are truly an amazing team of realtors to work with. Professional, caring, efficient and very knowledgeable, I am so

Dana Cloutier

Working with Erica and her assistant Grace is always a great experience. I have had the privilege of performing inspections for Erica's clients for many years now, and she is always one of the most knowledgeable and professional Realtors I know.

Allan Potter

Contact Us

986 Hartford Avenue Johnston RI 02919

401-830-6906
info@jchristophergroup.com
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