CHRISTINA ROUSE, a broker associate for Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal in Providence, was recently named the 2024 Realtor of the Year by the Rhode Island Commercial and Appraisal Board of Realtors. The award highlights her contributions and leadership within the local real estate industry. Rouse has been a RICABOR member since 2014 and was named a Providence Business News 40 Under Forty honoree in 2018.
What does being named Realtor of the Year by RICABOR mean to you? I have seen this accolade awarded to my mentors, and being named among them is an incredible feeling and honor. This award goes beyond production; it recognizes individuals who give back to the Realtor community through knowledge-sharing, volunteerism and upholding a standard of quality and trustworthy brokerage. Being acknowledged for my contributions to the community is humbling, and I am truly grateful.
Given how hot the real estate market is in Rhode Island and with prices at record levels, how have you managed to work with clients to get the best possible deals?The heat is dependent on which market you are working in, and a local, experienced broker knows which markets and industries are feeling the pressure of the interest rates and construction costs, and which ones are making concessions to fill gaps. Our firm exclusively handles commercial real estate brokerage, and our appraisal division focuses primarily on commercial, with private residential work such as estates taking the remainder. We have agents with more than 40 years of experience in the Rhode Island real estate market, and a lifetime of connections. … Take all that market knowledge and pair it with the relationships we have built through the years with the business owners and other professionals in the industry, and it makes it easy to find the right deals for our clients’ business.
What is Commercial Day RI and how is it beneficial for commercial Realtors? Commercial Day launched in 2022, thanks to a grant from national and allocated funds from RICABOR. There was a clear gap in the market for local commercial real estate activity updates. We hosted more than 100 members of the commercial real estate community in downtown Providence for a day of market updates, vendor showcases and continuing education credits. Being new to the industry or having been involved for 40 years, attendees walked away with valuable insights and actionable agendas.
You are involved with several nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Why is giving back to the community so meaningful for you? I grew up with the “campground rule” – leave things better than you found them. For me, that translates into public service. After moving to Rhode Island post-college, I sought out friends who spent their free time giving back to the community. Through them, I discovered even more opportunities to contribute. There are so many incredible people tirelessly working to improve our communities, and they need our support to create the impact Rhode Islanders deserve.
