Seaport Real Estate Services Blog - Advisory Services

Are Zillow Estimates More Accurate than a Realtor?

Both Zillow and realtors can provide valuable information for buyers and sellers in the real estate market. However, the reliability and accuracy of the information provided by each may vary.

Zillow is a popular website that provides real estate information, including home value estimates (Zestimates) and property listings. Zillow's data is crowdsourced, meaning it relies on users to provide information, which can lead to inaccuracies. Zillow's Zestimate algorithm may not take into account certain factors that would affect a home's value such as the condition of the property, updates and renovation, location, and market conditions. Zillow Zestimate is considered a starting point to get a rough idea of a home's value, but it's not a substitute for…

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5 Steps to Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

Finding the right real estate agent can make a huge difference when it comes to buying or selling a home. A good agent will have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the process and help you make informed decisions. But with so many agents to choose from, how do you find the right one for you? Here are some tips to help you find a great real estate agent.

1. Look for an agent with experience in your area. An agent who is familiar with the local market will be able to give you valuable insight into the neighborhoods, schools, and amenities that are important to you. They will also be able to help you find homes that meet your specific needs and preferences.

2. Look for an agent with a good reputation. Ask friends, family, and…

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2022 Connecticut Real Estate Mill Rates by Town

Real Estate Taxes in Connecticut can vary greatly depending on the municipality and districts within them.  The graphic above illustrates the base rates for each town. Additional rates are applied to specific locations where services are provided.  These services can include public water, sewer, trash removal,  police services, or a firehouse.  A town or district with a lower Mill rate may not offer these services.  Your real estate agent will be able to help you to determine the services offered and their importance to you when purchasing real estate. The average property tax rate in CT for 2022 is $31.29 with the highest being Hartford at $74.29 and the lowest being Salisbury at $11. 

How to Calculate Connecticut Property Taxes

The…

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2022 Rhode Island Commercial Mill Rates by Town

Commercial Real Estate Taxes in Rhode Island vary greatly by town and are typically correlated to the services which each town provides.  A town with a lower Mill rate may not offer services such as public water and sewer, perhaps waste disposal, or a firehouse. Your real estate agent will be able to help you to determine the services offered and their importance to you when purchasing real estate. The average commercial property tax rate in Rhode Island for 2022 is 20.41 with the highest being Central Falls at 42.33 and the lowest being Little Compton at 6.04.  Please note that Property taxes can have a substantial impact on the cash flow of a property making it more or less appealing to a lender, investor, or potential owner occupant.  Contact a…

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HOUSING BUBBLES & MARKET CRASHES - The Holy Grail (Updated)

Unlike the stock market, where most people understand and accept the risk that prices may fall, most people who buy a house don't ever think that the value of their home will ever decrease.

The housing market, like other assets, is susceptible to unsustainable gains, and bubbles are formed over time even though many people feel it is a sure bet for growth.  That's because of the large transaction costs associated with purchasing a home, not to mention the carrying costs of owning and maintaining a home discourage speculative behavior. However, housing markets do go through periods of irrational exuberance.

This article will help to explain real estate cycles, triggers that cause them, and why consumers should be cognizant of the forces at play…

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Fiduciary Vs. Facilitator - Who are you working with?

Serving the Client 

 -The Process-

We are currently in the Advisory stage of consulting with a prospective client who has plans to list their home for sale. Before we can determine if this partnership is a good fit for both Client and Broker, we have some homework to do. Contrary to popular belief in the industry, one size does NOT fit all. Upon collecting all the pertinent data relevant to the property as well as the local market in which it is located, we perform the necessary analysis to ensure that our assessment of this opportunity is in alignment with the client's goals and expectations. Once this task is completed, we are guided by the necessary data to advise all potential clients on what we believe to be the wisest path forward to…

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The Mission of Seaport Real Estate Services

In an information age that floods society with excessive content, our focus tends to be diverted to less-tangible distractions, rather than the essential components of a sound game plan. As a result, our level of awareness can become clouded, compromising our ability to execute informed decisions when it comes to the purchase and sale of real estate. In an industry largely predicated upon “marketing”, we are left without concrete reasoning from which to discern the most productive path forward. Ultimately, we are left without the means to implement a calculated strategy that transcends “Sales” or being “Sold”. Add to this, a fiercely competitive playing field largely incentivized by a commission-based pay structure, it becomes easier to see…

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Seaport Advisory

A Commitment to the Client 

For consumers in the market to buy or sell a home, the model has typically been a straight-forward process. Buyers and sellers contact a local agent to explore their options and sign an agreement. Whether they research and select a top local agent or contract a licensed relative, how they choose the agency that will assist them is of growing importance. In many respects, most traditional brokerages and their offerings are very similar. They all provide “million-dollar marketing”, an endless campaign of open houses, and a gratuitous handshake to affirm their corporate mission statement that says things like “helping you discover your dreams.” While this all sounds wonderful in theory, these dreams can become…

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Seaport Real Estate Services

Consulting vs. Selling (Advisory)

Our agents offer a consultative approach focused on client needs as opposed to the traditional “Buy & Sell” mentality that is offered by 99% of the real estate companies today. Our Buy Low, Sell High, Hold or Rent mindset empowers our clients to make decisions backed by current and historical data that is extremely difficult to find in the marketplace.

"Everything we do, we believe challenges conventional real estate logic, we believe in change, we believe in thinking outside of the box, and we believe in growth. The way we challenge the status quo is by conceiving & implementing proprietary systems backed by diverse educations, common sense, cutting edge technology, passion for people, and an intense desire to…

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Is Now the Time to Buy A Home?

So, you wanna buy a house….  It makes perfect sense. You’re pre-approved for financing, interest rates are at all-time lows, and everybody’s doing it. You’re tired of throwing rent money out the window and ready to start building equity in your own place. It is a great feeling when you realize you can finally buy your own home. Before you pull the trigger, let's make sure you’ve covered all the bases. 

Once you have set out to purchase a home, the baseline of this entire process should be centered around where you wish to buy. Not just geographically, but financially. The three words commonly referred to when discussing real estate are location, location, location. This age-old adage explains why certain areas out-perform others, attract the most…

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