Mark Raymond is a sales associate for Residential Properties Ltd. A real estate agent for more than 30 years, he is based in the East Greenwich office and centered around the areas of Warwick and North Kingstown, but his recent sales have included properties in Coventry and Foster.
Raymond spoke to the Providence Business News about the current conditions in real estate.
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PBN: You have been a real estate agent for 33 years, which is a long career. Was there ever a time when you thought about leaving the business, particularly during the recession?
RAYMOND: No, I didn’t. Obviously, everything has cycles, and I knew it was going back up. It did get difficult, but you just grind away.
PBN: How would you describe the current market in Rhode Island?
RAYMOND: It’s an aggressive sellers’ market in Rhode Island. Triggered by a lack of inventory, wonderful interest rates, good consumer confidence as far as housing.
PBN: You recently sold a house in North Kingstown in two days. Is that typical now?
RAYMOND: Depending on locations, everything is about proper pricing. It’s all about pricing it aggressively, and I’m in favor of an aggressive price point because I think you’ll generate more out of it. And possibly achieve a multiple-offer situation.
PBN: Your listings are in which areas?
RAYMOND: I am primarily on the west passage. Warwick is more so my focal point. I grew up there. I worked for RE/MAX Metro for 24 years. That’s where a majority of my market comes into play, through referrals.
PBN: Is Warwick a popular location for people trying to get into the market?
RAYMOND: Yes. No matter what market it is, even in 2009 when we crashed, it was always the market that moved. It is the best bang for the buck for everyone that is offered, overall what the city has to offer, and what you can acquire a good starter home for.
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.
