The Bee Whisperer

I am blessed with a delightful child in my life (one of 3 delights) who told me that she has a special talent - she is a bee whisperer! Her name is Mia and she is 8 years old.

Big, fat, fuzzy bumble bees, skinny little yellow jackets. "Don't touch! You'll get stung!" No matter. She goes up to the little bees on the flowers and pets them. You have to see it to appreciate the finesse involved. I guess they know she means them no harm and they return the favor.

A child who loves nature so much is a treasure - so caring and kind to all living creatures. She has learned a lot about life in only 8 years. Here she is with a praying mantis.

We spend a lot of time in the garden. A bee, an ant, a bird, a snake - everything is an experience and a sweet joy to be discovered anew with Mia.

Time-travel in Newport

Visitors to Newport always think it's going to be SOOOO expensive...Well, it isn't - or at least, it doesn't have to be. There are plenty of great ways to enjoy Newport with little or no money, and actually, many of them are the best ways to experience Newport, period.

My personal favorite is the Cliff Walk. Put on your sneakers, pack a sandwich & a bottle of water- if it's a really nice day, maybe even put on a bathing suit - and head over to the Chanler Hotel overlooking First Beach, which is where the famed 3.5 mile National Recreation Trail begins.

This scenic walk manages to incorporate the best of just about everything Newport has to offer. A rugged windswept coastline - lined with magenta wild beach roses - strewn with giant smooth boulders, perfect for lying back on and sunning - crashing waves - glorious world-famous 19th century "cottages" - impossibly manicured lawns - the empty heaving brightness of the Atlantic Ocean - and above it all, the seagulls, soaring and cawing over the heads of rich and poor alike. It's a place where past & present fuse...a place where for 150 years, people have been travelling just this path, for just these reasons, and now you too are one of them.

A Little Slice of Paradise in Rhode Island

Snuggled at the southern extremity of Great Salt Pond in Narragansett is Great Island, my wonderful tranquil home. It is one of three neighborhoods in the entire state of Rhode Island accessed only by bridge. As I cross over the bridge to Great Island, bordered on the right by East Pond and on the left by The Fishing Port of Galilee, I feel the frenetic pace of daily life rapidly draining from me.

It is slow paced and still evokes the peacefulness that is part of its history as a 150 acre sheep farm. The sheep were driven over to the island at low tide on a primitive causeway and then left to graze as the tide rose. The original farm house remains firmly perched on the highest point of the island to this day. The vistas are like an everchanging painting with pastoral landscapes as well as inspiring water views. Most of the 350 homes have delightful water views. You are constantly aware of weather conditions as fluffy white clouds dance across the sky borne by the prevailing winds and the sun shimmers off the water as incredible shades of the bright blue of the sky and water integrate with the vibrant green of the land to become a continual panoply of colors.

It is a very cohesive community with remnants of days gone by where, for example, on Halloween, children are still ushered into homes as the enthusiastic residents delight in the costumes and guessing who the little goblins are in their respective disguises. There is a neighborhood association for the residents to enjoy various year round social events and activities, as well as each other. In addition, residents of the island are very environmentally oriented. Only approximately twenty five percent of the residences are occupied year round. The homes vary in character, size and age yet all are extremely well maintained.

I always know that spring has announced its presence when at night I witness the lights glowing in the homes that have been awaiting the return of their summer inhabitants. For all residents to relish there are eight access points to the water so that everyone can enjoy quahogging (clamming in RI), accessing their boats, moorings or just enjoying the ambience of the area. One of these access points is a little gem of a beach that is a well kept secret, even from most island residents. There are endless fresh adventures for children to enjoy on the pond like sailing, boating, swimming or just discovering the wonders of the seashore and Mother Nature. Summer weekends are distinguished by the even larger enticing parade of boats of all varieties and sizes that skim across or down the pond, on their way out to the open ocean and points beyond.

The island is close to all area amenities, yet off the beaten path. Take a stroll down the street and over the bridge to The Port of Galilee, which is the fifth largest fishing port in New England. Purchase your lobsters right off the boats which are tethered to their slips, or walk a little further and hop the traditional or high speed ferry to Block Island. There are restaurants and fish markets as well as seasonal shops to quench your desires. In addition, there is a lovely protected sandy ocean beach poised at the end of the street to enjoy.

In the challenging times in which we live, Great Island gives me the desired result and rejuvenates me on a daily basis. I am truly lucky!

Luxury Collection

Luxury, luxurious, to live in the lap of luxury. You could be one step away, one step across the threshold and you are there. What are you waiting for? Haven't you worked hard enough and long enough? The comfortable, livable, grand statement of refined elegance is just a step away, and you deserve it.

To live your luxury visit Hopedene, Beechwood, Oakwood, Wrentham House, Roselawn, Beacon Rock and any of our other fabulous definitions of luxury!

Charming Tiverton

One of the nicest places I've discovered is the southern part of Tiverton which borders Little Compton.

I was so taken with the efforts to preserve the natural beauty that for the past several years I have become a supporter of the Tiverton Land Trust.

If you decide to take a drive to the phenomonal and great shopping area called Tiverton Four Corners, you will pass right by The Pardon Gray Farm, 230 acres of preserved land saved as open space.

This farm is adjacent to the 550 acre Weetamoo Woods. The farm contains many colonial artifacts, the Gray family historic cemetery, and original stone walls.

Pardon Gray provided food and supplies to the 1,500 Revolutionary Army troops that were camped at Fort Barton, just a few miles north, also in Tiverton. Quite an historic place.

And if you are into serene settings and waterfront homes with meadows and stone walls sweeping down to the sea, we have just the house for you.

Designer Showhouse Shines

Last week I had the opportunity to be a volunteer at the 2008 Newport Showhouse Guild Designer Showhouse. "Southwind" is the home of Judge Frank and Joyce Caprio and has been their residence for 36 years. The main house was recently connected to the carraige house creating over 10,000 square feet of living space which includes a roof deck overlooking the gardens, pool, tennis court and views of Rhode Island Sound.

What a treat to walk through this beautifully decorated home and gardens. Enjoy seeing the latest in design trends, colors and fabrics that are showcased throughout this home. Over thirty interior and exterior designers and artists have spent many months creating very special space. The items used to decorate this home can also be purchased. Each room has a list with prices and items. Also, you can visit the designer's gift shop with treasures old and new for sale. The best part is 25% of your purchase goes to the charities.

If you are enjoy HGTV, decorating, or landscape design, please stop in. Each room is unique and each decorator/artist has created an "Inspired Design".

The home is open daily until June 8th form 10am-4pm. The 2008 charities are the Washington County Coalition for Children and The NSG Education Fund in Memory of Ellen S. Murphy.
After viewing this amazing home you may decide you would like to live on Ocean Rd. or in Narragansett. Our office is located just down the street at 41 Ocean Rd. We have several special properties available to view.

Got lunch?

Ever wonder where to go to lunch when you're in Newport? Look no further than Pasta Beach, right next door to the Lila Delman office on Memorial Blvd. They have the best pizza this side of Rome - in fact, it might even be better!

When I went to Rome two years ago, I stayed in the "Centro Storico"(literally means the historic center), just two doors away from Bafetto's, arguably the most celebrated pizzeria in the city. Since my companion and I had a thirteen-year old in tow, we ate there virtually every night.


What makes for great Roman pizza? A super hot grill, a super thin crust and of course, the freshest of ultra-fresh ingredients. Last week I tried Pasta Beach's proscuitto and arugula pizza, and it actually surpassed anything I can remember tasting across the Atlantic. It was so thin I could practically see through it, and the chef had lightly drizzled it with just a little tomato sauce, some fresh mozzarella, a couple of handfuls of arugula tossed with extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar, and then he'd layered every inch of the thing with the thinnest slices of proscuitto di parma imaginable...YUM!!!









So next time you find yourself at the Newport Lila Delman's, shopping for the house of your dreams, be sure to stop in at Pasta Beach. You won't be disappointed!

Good Photography Helps Sell Homes

One does not need a professional photographer to take nice pictures…All that is needed is a camera, good light meaning taking a picture at the right time of the day...avoid the shadows. Be sure to remove objects that are obstacles, such as shoes, handbags, garbage receptacle, etc. Winter time can be just as beautiful but if the property hasn’t sold by spring, take new pictures, it’s important keep them up to date.

Quality pictures are key to a good marketing presentation whether they are on a website, in a brochure, newspaper, magazines or postcards. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) allows for eight images. Buyers are attracted by quality images and research reveals that properties with a minimum of 6 images are viewed more frequently on websites. Images can help make a home sell faster and helps support the asking price.

Make a good first impression to Buyers with good quality pictures!

Everyone (Even You!) Can Live in a Grand Home in Newport

One of Newport’s most famous and outstanding features is its collection of grand homes. Great stone mansions, heavily decorated Victorians and rambling Shingle Style cottages are to be found in surprisingly large numbers in various parts of the city.

Yes, some are museums and a few are still homes for descendents of the Golden Age families who built them. But many have been divided over the years into multiple units as apartments and since the mid-1980’s as condominiums. And this is where YOU come in! Priced between $300,000 and $3,000,000, there’s one to suit just about everyone.

Would you like the first floor with the original formal rooms with coffered ceilings, a marble fireplace and leaded glass windows?

Perhaps the second floor where exquisite bedrooms and sitting rooms have been turned into gracious living spaces?

How about a sunny spot in the eaves of a lovely Victorian in the Kay/Catherine neighborhood? You’ll be surprised to see almost 1,500sq ft of space up here.

And with each one, you’ll share a grand foyer, estate grounds and an impressive address with your fellow owners. Close your eyes and picture what life was like living in the WHOLE house!

Rhode Island Waterfront

I live in a place called Wild Goose Point. It is one of several points that extend out into Narragansett Bay, just south of Wickford, and is one of the lesser known points. Not as grand as Poplar Point, nor as well known as Lone Tree Point, but I like to think of it as an up and comer.

It is a little beach community that has grown over the past 60 years or so into a year round neighborhood, filled with a mixed bag of people and characters, old and young, newcomers and those who have lived here for over 60 years.

Besides having access to the ocean, which drew me here, we have some of the tallest, old trees I have ever seen. They fill in and block the view of the ocean in the summer months but the sound of the leaves on hundreds of trees rustling on summer evenings is a fair trade. The wild geese fly right over us in a crisscross pattern and for every flap of their wings they make a honking sound.

One of the greatest, natural walking trails around, to do the mile and a quarter loop brings you right along Narragansett Bay with a view of the bridges, Jamestown and Rome Point. We have several beaches including some on Bissell Cove, which is the best place for kayaking, or paddling, as we like to call it. The loop also brings you around one of the few remaining white cedar swamps left in southern Rhode Island. When was the last time you saw a firefly? We still have them here. And it is always a great day in the season the first time we see the turtles sunning on the fallen log in the swamp. The same place every year.

Gus likes to climb the rocks, Mia likes to look for crabs, and Lina is especially good at finding sea ice. She has named one of our beaches 'Sea Ice Beach'. She got to name it because she discovered it.

An existential moment in Newport

One of the best things about living in Newport is the way history seeps out of the sidewalks, usually when you least expect it. Ghosts are everywhere...

Yesterday morning I took my dog Gwen for a walk. We were headed to Island Cemetery to check out the gravestone of Richard Morris Hunt, the architect of Wrentham House, which I'd just been to see a couple of days before & which had blown me away.




Anyhow, on the way we passed some guys from the Department of Public Works replacing a stretch of pavement. Naturally Gwen dragged me over so she could sniff out the excavation trench, and there, right smack at the bottom of it, were the broken but clearly recognizable remains of a colonial clay tobacco pipe, just lying there in the dirt for all to see. The sight immediately unmoored me from my normal reality. Who'd dropped it? When? What was their life like? What IS time?

How very odd, that they were there & now they were gone & I was there instead...and someday it will be my turn to be gone, and someone else will be standing on this street corner, scratching THEIR head over this same existential riddle. Because no matter how I sliced it, there was no denying the fact that there at my feet lay a small clay pipe - proof that time exists, reality exists, that life and death are unutterably & irrevocably real. Really real. Almost every second of every day we allow ourselves to forget that.

Overhead fluffy white clouds slipped unconcernedly and implacably by. So what else could I do? I walked on, to the cemetery.

How To Prepare for an Appraisal

For homeowners, a real estate appraisal is the linchpin to buying or selling their home. It allows the property transactions to occur among the buyer, seller, real estate agent and mortgage lender.

Before an Appraiser arrives, there are a few things you should know. By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Also by law, you are entitled to receive a copy of the completed appraisal report from your lender.

To facilitate the appraisal process, it's beneficial to have these documents ready for the appraiser:

*A plot plan or survey of the house and land (if readily available)
*Information on the latest purchase of the property in the last three years
*Written property agreements, such as a maintenance agreement for a shared driveway
*List of personal property to be sold with the home
*Title policy that describes encroachments or easements
*Most recent real estate tax bill and or legal description of the property
*Home inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, septic systems and wells
*Brag sheet that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation and their cost (for example, the addition of central air conditioning or roof repairs) and permit confirmation (if available)
*A copy of the current listing agreement and broker's data sheet and Purchase Agreement if a sale is "pending".
*Information on "Homeowners Associations" or condominium covenants and fees.
*A list of "Proposed" improvements if the property is to be appraised "As Complete".

Once your appraiser has arrived, you do not need to accompany him or her along on the entire site inspection, but you should be available to answer questions about your property and be willing to point out any home improvements.

Here are some other suggestions:

*Accessibility: Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially to the attic and crawl space
*Housekeeping: Appraisers see hundreds of homes a year and will look past most clutter, but they're human beings too! A good impression can translate into a higher home value
*Maintenance: Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles and trim
*FHA/VA Inspection Items: If your borrower is applying for an FHA/VA loan, be sure to ask your appraiser if there are specific things that should be done before they come. Some items they may recommend might be: Install smoke detectors on all levels (especially near bedrooms); install handrails on all stairways; remove peeling paint and repaint the effected area; provide inspection access to the attic and crawl spaces.

Who will get in The White House?

Who will get in White House? Indeed, Obama or Hillary? Or maybe McCain?

In this political turmoil we can not give a straight answer.

No matter who will be there next January, we still need the change and relief from "powerful stupidity". I prefer Hillary for her outstanding intellectual and mental qualities. Hopefully, she will get there. If not, look what I have for her or Obama, or McCain. Or for you.

If you don't want to run for President but would still like to live like one then Newport is the place for you. A beautiful house in beautiful Newport, it is almost white too! Look at it! For $3,900,000 you can have a custom built home on an acre of secluded gorgeous grounds in the heart of Newport. Walk to beach, Cliff Walk and downtown.

It Pays to use a Realtor

Selling or buying a home is time consuming and a real estate transaction is complicated. In either situation, selling or buying, it requires multiple disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, laws of discrimination, and multi-page government mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable Realtor can help guide you through this complexity and can avoid possible delays or multiple costly mistakes – far more costly than the commission.

For most people buying and selling a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make and only happens a few times in a lifetime. A home is not just a structure consisting of walls and a roof; it’s a symbol of family, rest and security. It’s an emotional undertaking for both the buyer and seller.

Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), abide by a code of ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by the NAR. We are expert negotiators with other agents, seasoned financial advisors with customers and possess an intimate knowledge of local market conditions and properties. We provide our customers with utmost care, the highest level of service with integrity.

Price Your Home Competitively
Realtors provide the best estimate of the market value of the seller's home based on accurate information and research in preparation for the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).

Provide More Exposure for Your Property
Advertising through other websites, local, regional and international media,prospective customers as well as other Realtors utilizing Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Your home must be listed by a Realtor in order to be included in the Multiple Listing Service, a massive database of homes. Statistics show 86% of buyers use a Realtor during their search and 83% of sellers sold their home with the assistance of a Realtor; Hosting Brokers and Public Open Houses as well as supervising various properties on the market.

Save Valuable Time and Money
Realtors know how to avoid costly mistakes. They know the market inside and out and are an excellent source for information about the community. Realtors are more attuned to the buyers’ needs; therefore will highlight those most appealing features. They offer recommendations and screening for a buyer's price range and individual preferences/lifestyle needs; Efficiently assist with the completion of property disclosure forms; Comply with the laws and regulations; Pre-approve and qualify prospective buyers; Coordinate details of the closing day.

Realtors are Experienced Negotiators
Realtors can be a powerful ally when negotiating a sales contract. Review and negotiate with all the timely terms, conditions and contingencies…ie. mortgage commitment letters, escrow deposits, inspection reports and coordinate all the closing details.

Homage to Hearth through selected poems of Emily Dickinson

The baronial hearth in the great room at Wrentham House was glowing over the weekend, after 40 years unlit!

Wrentham House was built in 1891 by Richard Morris Hunt (1827- 1895), a contemporary of Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).

Homage to Wrentham House through selected poems of Emily Dickinson

..As low my fires of drift-wood burn,
I hear that sea's deep sounds increase,
And, fair in sunset light, discern
Its mirage-lifted Isles of Peace.

from 'the chariot' Emily Dickinson

MANSIONS
"Houses" -- so the Wise Men tell me --
"Mansions"! Mansions must be warm!
Mansions cannot let the tears in,
Mansions must exclude the storm!
"Many Mansions," by "his Father,"
I don't know him; snugly built!
Could the Children find the way there --
Some, would even trudge tonight!
Emily Dickinson

In rags mysterious as these
The shining Courtiers go --
Veiling the purple, and the plumes --
Veiling the ermine so.
Smiling, as they request an alms --
At some imposing door!
Smiling when we walk barefoot
Upon their golden floor!
Emily Dickinson



other links
http://oldpoetry.com/column/show/25

Still haven't found a gift for Mom?

It’s not too late to find that special gift for your Mom (or a Mom you know) for Mother’s Day. What would be really exceptional, really unforgettable? What would show her that you’ve been listening? How about a house?!?

Working at Lila Delman Real Estate, you’re bound to occasionally fall in love with a property in the inventory. So if I could choose gifts for some of the many wonderful, hard-working Moms/agents here at Lila Delman, here’s what I would choose.

Families…are you paying attention?

Laura Fauntleroy – 145 Prospect Farm Road – Her face lit up the minute she saw this outstanding home. Perfection in every direction.

Kim Doherty – 325 Ocean Avenue – For a lady who loves architecture and appreciates a masterpiece.

Susan Gustavson – 78 Macomber Lane – Susan has perfected her own beloved cottage and I picture her honing this little gem into her waterfront retreat.

Robin Nicholson – 330 Gray Craig Road – I know she looks forward to every appointment here and grows to like it more every time she visits.

Bridgette Soby – 25 Bedlow Avenue – More room, a nice private yard for play space, and a stylishly renovated house where no detail has been overlooked.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY A HOME?

When you can get the most house for your money.When rates are at a historic low.When you have the itch to buy.

320 Grandview Rd in East Greenwich, RI

Rates have had an unbelievable run of late with the intent of stimulating the economy. The Fed reduced rates in January with the largest rate reduction in 20 years. They dropped even more in February and now they have done it again. Rates are at an historic low.

So then......NOW......is the time to buy your home!!!!

You hear from the media that the housing market is in a slump. This being true, this is when you can get the great deals on homes AND the great deals on mortgages.

So then......Who is the big winner in this game? YOU are!! You, THE BUYER, are the winner at this time when you buy a house today.

How Much Longer Can This Continue? In the long run, these rate cuts will entice more international investors, boost consumer confidence, leading to higher rates. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to purchase your home. Start your search today. See mortgage options.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

House Love

Does everyone have a love affair with her home? I do and I enjoy being part of the process that brings that feeling to others. I'm talking about the feeling you get when you live in a place where you are happy just to be there and to share it with others. Your home is meant to be your retreat and haven, after all.

When someone is delighted with a house, it shows. You can never tell what will capture the imagination - a garden, some small detail like a French door, the clasp on a window, a little nook with a window seat, a stone floor - who knows? For every person it is different. Some people go crazy for outbuildings. When people see that special place or detail, they light up at the sight of it. There is a real connection between person and place. It can be a very soulful experience and I love being involved with that.

You work, you pour through listings, you do comps, you drive around, you make appointments, you look and look and look at houses. And then something magical happens. One of my clients summed up the combination of hard work and practical magic, and shared this with me - You have a dream in which your ancestor appears, and you receive a sign in the form of a cloud, and your horse stamps his foot three times, inexplicably; and there you have it - your new home!

Yeah, it's like that.

Historic Newport

It always irks me that visitors to Newport - locals too, for that matter - put so much emphasis on the mansions, and focus so little on what really makes Newport special - the spectacular richness of its everyday historic properties.

Probably the single most little-known fact about Newport is that it contains more intact colonial architectural fabric than any city in the country. That's right - in the entire country! More than "Colonial" Williamsburg...more than Boston...more than Savannah, or Salem, or Plymouth, or any other historic city you can name

Newport's streets are lined with literally hundreds and hundreds of historic structures, from private vernacular-style residences to notable public buildings to nationally-known architect-designed buildings from the 18th, 19th & 20th centuries. Not only that, they're still in use, these houses are still alive, not just living on as museum sets or recreations. Scholars from all over the world come to Newport because there is such an abundance of significant early American material still here, in everyday use, material embedded into our every neighborhood and streetscape, the same neighborhoods & streetscapes we drive through evey day and routinely ignore.

If you live around here, authentic 18th century buildings start to seem like they're a dime a dozen, ho hum, and building restrictions & guidelines imposed by the Historic Commission are nothing more than an annoying impediment to getting things done. Few of us ever stop to consider the uniqueness of the almost unbelievable historical authenticity that underlies the facades surrounding us. Does anyone even know or care that Newport is currently seeking inclusion in the list of World Heritage sites? I doubt it. All I ever hear anyone talk about are the mansions...

Curb Appeal

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

In todays market it is important to get noticed. Spring is the perfect time to make some important changes that are sure to impress potential buyers. Most buyers select the homes they wish to see by exterior photos seen in ads or on the internet or from a drive by the property.

Let's face it, what buyer would want to see the inside of the house that has overgrown shrubs, peeling paint and a yard that is full of clutter ?

Here are some tips to clean things up and make your home shine like this one in Narragansett.

• Front door/entryway: a fresh coat of paint, new welcome mat and some potted plants will make this focal point shine.


• Mailbox: replace if needed, add a new set of house numbers and some plantings.


• Seal the driveway: this can be an easy do it yourself project that will give your driveway a clean look.


• Clean up clutter: put trash containers out of sight, clean up toys and keep in the backyard.


• Wash your windows


• Power wash the exterior: get rid of cobwebs, dirt and mildew.


• Wash exterior lights and change light bulbs


• Front porches/Patios: sweep, add hanging and potted plants and some great patio furniture.


• Exterior paint: touch up wherever needed, shutters should not be faded.


• Landscaping: keep grass mowed, clean up leaves and debris, add fresh mulch and trim all hedges and plantings.


• Walkway lighting: Many potential buyers will drive by several times if they like a property. Make your home look great at night too with walkway lighting and accent lighting in gardens.

Remember a buyer will assume there is a beautiful interior if the exterior looks great.

Sell Your Home GREEN!

It’s a challenging market out there for sellers! But the good news is that they can make their home stand out from the pack by doing a little “green” remodeling. Here are some basic easy tips for sellers to attract that crucial buyer, while saving the planet!
Don't Wait to Insulate Upgrading your insulation to a higher R-value can lower energy costs substantially.
Lower the Flow Your old shower head probably delivers a lot more water than you really need. Reduce that to 2.5 gallons a minute or less with today's standard shower head – it can make a difference in your water bill. For even greater savings, replace your old toilets with today's standard low flush models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
Reduce the Runoff Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems can lower your water bills by delivering water directly where you need it. By reducing or eliminating runoff, you also reduce the burden of fertilizers and pesticides on our lakes, streams, and oceans and still have a gorgeous garden or lawn.

Keep Your Cool Ceiling fans can make you feel cooler while reducing air conditioning costs by as much as 40% in summer. In winter, they can save up to 10% in heating costs by circulating warm air from the ceiling to the floor where you can enjoy it.

Try Branching Out For an all-around environmental boost, plant a tree. When properly sited, trees and other landscaping can save up to 30% in home cooling and heating costs. They also help cool your community and make your Smart Choice home even more enjoyable.

Look for the Energy Star Label Replace your old, inefficient appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances and save energy and money.

Something Bugging You? Stay in control by starting with nature's own methods to beat the bugs. Attract birds with birdhouses, feeders, and natural backyard wildlife habitats to help reduce pests. Bug lights, screening, citronella candles, and insecticidal soaps are other less-toxic alternatives.

Clear the Air Upgrading and properly maintaining your home air filters is easy and helps improve indoor air quality. Vented range hoods and room exhaust fans also help remove smoke, moisture, airborne bacteria, and other indoor air pollutants.

Make Your Own Mulch Composting is the smart way to dispose of leaves, yard clippings, selected food scraps, and other organic wastes. Instead of burdening landfills, you'll produce rich nutrients to fertilize your garden the natural way. And it's free. Make it a habit to recycle your glass, cans, cardboard, and newspapers, too.
The benefits are very attractive for a buyer…it will cost less to operate, saves the environment, provide a healthier home that will last longer and it will be quieter and safer. Buyers will have the ability to obtain an energy discount, ie. electric bill and financial tax incentives – state and federal tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Charmed, I'm Sure

Charming Newport Cottage, that is Charmed.

Every home has a story to tell, and some have stories dreams are made of! This charming Newport Cottage has had its share of wonderful families over the years, and for the last two owners dreams have come true. Perhaps there is a lucky charm on this cottage. First 'wish come true' came to the couple with the arrival of a beautiful baby boy, after hoping for years to start a family. The next owner was charmed by a wonderful relationship and proposal of marriage. This property is now under contract and will soon go to a new family. We wish the new owners every success, with good tidings to their every request.

What You Get for...$7 Million

What You Get for... $7 Million

This week the popular NY Times online feature "Property Values" includes a Lila Delman Real Estate listing in Middletown, RI.

Sometimes it's $400,000, sometimes it's $15,000,000...but it's always interesting to compare your area of the country with others and the properties featured in this column are always unique in some way.

The Lila Delman Real Estate listing that's featured in this article is the Kennel Cottage at Gray Craig. Once a home for the original estate owner's prized Pekineses, now a beautifully renovated home on over 8 acres. The home is a dream, but the grounds are one of the great surprises left here on Aquidneck Island. With commanding views of Little Compton and beyond from a cistern at the highest point, to a 30,000 sq ft walled fruit orchard with a magnificent Italianate tea house, one must think that when Gray Craig was divided, the Kennel Cottage got some of the choicest and most private areas of the estate's landscape. Check out the tour and come back as more photos will be added as the flowers bloom.