WALT'S WINDOW: FOR EVERYONE FROM BOOMERS TO FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

Let us begin with a quote from the late entrepreneur, Mr. Marshal Field. "Buying real estate is not only the best way, the quickest way, the safest way, but the only way to become wealthy."

Now, let's open Window #67.

CLOSING KING

This week's Closing King is also the largest sale of the year. A condo in Westerly's Ocean House sold for $18.5 million after 150 days on the market.

That was $1.5 under asking and nearly twice its assessed value. Price per square foot? Nearly $4,000.

A North Providence condo on Woodward is The Duke. The one bedroom sold for $135,000.

There are 2,339 active single families, condos, multis and pieces of land. 1,327 are single families and 418 are condos. 180 closed during the week and that was down sharply from the week before. 323 went under contract.

RI RECENT PRICE RISE IN NATION'S TOP 10

Rhode Island home prices rose at the 8th highest pace in the country during the last quarter. The climb here was 7.4 percent.

Leading the way, was Beaumont, Texas with an increase of 11 percent. Number 2 is home to many transplanted New England residents -- Naples, Florida, where prices jumped by 10.5 percent during the quarter.

RI MEDIAN PRICE STILL STEADY

Here's an example of why data can be tricky. Prices were down in May, compared to last year. The Rhode Island Association of Realtors reported the dip was about 2.5%. Then in June, a sharp rise in the sales price, but just for that month.

One part of this equation that remains steady. The median price for a single family is still in the low $500,000 range.

TAYLOR SWIFT TAX ON AUTO-PLAY ON THE CAPE

A Barnstable County official is playing a "cover" of the Taylor Swift tax. Barnstable County Assembly of Delegate member Dan Gessen wants to follow Rhode Island’s lead with a similar levy on Cape Cod.

Gessen is proposing what’s officially known as the “Non-owner-occupied property tax” on high-end homes. The long term goal is to make housing more affordable in that area.

WALT'S PICK IN THE MILLION DOLLAR RANGE

My number one is this range is 67 Love Lane in Warwick. This is a classic colonial with 2,600 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 and a half bathrooms. Plus, a pool and a hot tub.

I love the kitchen and Cowesett is a great part of Warwick.

90 condos and single families from $980,000 to $1.2 million are active, includng 12 new listings. 9 went under contract during the week. 6 closed.

WALT'S PICK IN THE MEDIAN RANGE

27 Hidden Valley Lane is a great way to buy into Lincoln for under $500,000. This colonial with a carport and 1,300 square feet is listed for $495,000.

I love that it's in a culs de sac which makes it seem like the lot is bigger than 10,000 square feet.

There are now 126 active condos and single families between $480,000 and $530,000. 97 are single families. 27 are new listings. 18 in this range closed during the week and 30, including one of mine, went under contract.

SPOTLIGHT ON WARWICK

Warwick offers a well-known mix of coastal Rhode Island living and everyday convenience. With miles of shoreline, marinas, neighborhood beaches, parks, and established neighborhoods, the city has everything from waterfront homes to quiet suburban options.

Its central location is another major draw. The city provides convenient access to Providence, South County, shopping, dining, highways, and T.F. Green Airport, making it an attractive option for commuters, families, downsizers, and anyone who wants to stay connected while enjoying a little more breathing room.

There are 138 active properties in Warwick, our 3rd biggest community with a population of just over 80,000. As you'd expect, the majority are single family homes.

The highest priced active is a single family on Greenwich Bay that's listed for $4.6 million. The lowest are manufactured homes that are around $100,000.

The median sale price for the 102 active single families is $455,000. That's 6% higher than the end of last year, but still significantly lower than the state median price.

The median Days on Market is 22, up by a day from 2026. In fact the Warwick DOM has averaged just under 20 days for the past 6 years. Wow!

This week it was Warwick in the Spotlight, but check the Window archives or reach out to me and I'll send you recent spotlights on Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, Warren, Barrington, North Providence, Johnston, Cumberland, Lincoln, Cranston, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, East Greenwich, Narragansett, Coventry, North Kingstown and South Kingstown.

QUIZ TIME.

Frank Aroche answered the quiz correctly. Rhode Island has 20 percent of the nation's historical landmarks. Think about that for a moment. The smallest state has 2 out of every 10 of the country's landmarks!

Mr. Aroche opted for The American Cancer Society as his charity of choice for the quiz money.

This week we ask, which New England state has more coast line than California?

Send me your answers and let's spend the money on a good cause.

Thank you for reading the 67th Walt's Real Estate Window. Text me at 401-339-0090 when you're ready to buy or sell, and as always your comments and questions are welcome. Have a great week!