Border-Market Insights Hub
Strategic, analytical analysis on Rhode Island and Massachusetts property taxes, train transit corridors, housing stocks, and closing laws written directly by real estate operator David Peterson.
The Best Time to Sell a House in Rhode Island (2026)
When is the best time to sell a house in Rhode Island? Generally spring, but the nuances matter. A local agent breaks down the seasonal patterns for RI and SE MA.
Buying a Coastal or Waterfront Home in Rhode Island: Flood Insurance and More (2026)
What to know before buying coastal or waterfront in RI: flood zones, NFIP vs private flood insurance, elevation certificates, wind coverage, and upkeep.
Do You Need a Real Estate Agent to Buy a House in Rhode Island?
No, Rhode Island does not require you to use an agent. Here is what a buyer's agent actually does, how that differs from an attorney, and when hiring one is worth it.
What to Expect From a Home Inspection in Rhode Island (2026)
A Rhode Island agent's honest guide to home inspections in 2026: what they cost, what inspectors check, common local issues, and how to act on the report.
Home Staging in Rhode Island: How to Sell Faster for More (2026)
A Rhode Island agent and marketer on why staging works: buyers shop online first, and small prep drives outsized returns.
Buying a Multi-Family in Rhode Island: The House-Hacking Guide (2026)
How to house-hack a 2-4 unit in Rhode Island: triple-decker math, owner-occupied financing, inspections, and the best towns to buy in.
Real Estate Commission in Rhode Island: How Much and Who Pays in 2026
How much is real estate commission in Rhode Island in 2026, who pays it now after the NAR settlement, and why every rate is negotiable.
Real Estate Contingencies Explained: A Rhode Island Guide (2026)
A plain-English guide to inspection, financing, appraisal, title, and sale-of-home contingencies in Rhode Island, and the real risk of waiving them.
Renting vs Buying in Rhode Island: The Honest 2026 Math
A fair, agent-written breakdown of renting vs buying in RI for 2026: real costs, a worked example, the breakeven horizon, and who should do which.
Rhode Island Real Estate Terms: A Plain-English Glossary (2026)
A plain-English glossary of Rhode Island real estate terms for buyers and sellers, from escrow and P&S agreements to conveyance tax and mill rates.
What Is Earnest Money? A Rhode Island Home Buyer's Guide (2026)
Earnest money explained for RI buyers: what it is, how much (typically 1-2%), who holds it, how contingencies protect it, and when you get it back.
What Is Escrow in Real Estate? A Rhode Island Guide (2026)
Escrow explained in plain English by a RI and Southeastern MA agent: the deposit held during a purchase and the mortgage escrow account for taxes and insurance.
The Best School Districts in Rhode Island for Families (2026)
A Rhode Island agent's honest take on the top-regarded school districts, how school quality moves home prices, and how to research a district the right way.
Is Newport, RI a Good Place to Live? An Honest 2026 Guide
A real estate agent's honest look at living in Newport, RI in 2026: prices, seasonality, neighborhoods, commutes, and who it actually fits.
Living in Attleboro, MA: The Border-Town Value Play (2026)
A Rhode Island and Massachusetts agent's honest 2026 guide to living in Attleboro, MA: commuter rail value, taxes, schools, and who it suits.
Living in Barrington, RI: Schools, Homes, and Cost (2026)
An honest look at living in Barrington, RI: top-rated schools, safety, home prices, the East Bay Bike Path, and the short Providence commute.
Living in Bristol, RI: Historic Waterfront Living (2026 Guide)
An honest, numbers-driven guide to living in Bristol, RI. Waterfront charm, historic downtown, who it suits, and 2026 market realities from a local agent.
Living in Cranston, RI: An Honest Local Guide (2026)
Living in Cranston, RI in 2026: an honest local guide to Western vs Eastern Cranston, home prices, taxes, schools, and who the city actually suits.
Living in Cumberland, RI: A Local Guide for Families (2026)
An honest local guide to living in Cumberland, RI in 2026: who it suits, neighborhoods, commutes, schools, and what your money buys.
Living in East Greenwich, RI: The Upscale Suburb Guide (2026)
An honest, numbers-driven guide to living in East Greenwich, RI: top schools, historic Main Street, Greenwich Bay, price tiers, and who it suits.
Living in Fall River, MA: Affordable Waterfront Value (2026)
An honest look at living in Fall River, MA in 2026: affordable SE Mass waterfront prices, South Coast Rail, multifamily stock, and who the city really suits.
Living in Warwick, RI: Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)
An honest, numbers-driven look at living in Warwick, RI: neighborhoods, home prices, taxes, commute, schools, and who it fits.
Moving to Rhode Island: The Complete 2026 Relocation Checklist
A real estate agent's honest, ordered checklist for moving to Rhode Island in 2026: towns, budget, DMV, utilities, schools, taxes, and settling in.
The Rhode Island Housing Market in 2026: An Honest Read
A candid, numbers-minded look at the RI housing market through 2026 for buyers and sellers, plus the Southeastern Mass border dynamic.
The Best Towns Near Providence for Families (2026 Local Guide)
A local agent's honest guide to the best family towns near Providence, RI, with price tiers, tradeoffs, and school and commute notes.
Closing Costs in Rhode Island: How Much and Who Pays? (2026)
A plain-English 2026 guide to Rhode Island closing costs: buyer ranges, seller costs, the conveyance tax, a sample deal, and ways to pay less.
The Real Cost of Living in Rhode Island (2026): An Honest Breakdown
A straight, numbers-first look at what it really costs to live in Rhode Island in 2026: housing, property tax, heating, sales and income tax, and how it compares to Greater Boston.
First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Rhode Island (2026): What Actually Helps
A plain-English guide to Rhode Island first-time buyer programs, down payment help, FHA/VA/USDA loans, and the steps that actually move the needle.
How Much House Can You Afford in Rhode Island? (2026 Math)
A real-numbers look at how much house you can afford in RI in 2026, including taxes, insurance, PMI, and the 28/36 rule from a dual-licensed agent.
Is Providence, RI a Good Place to Live? A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Guide
An honest, numbers-driven look at whether Providence, Rhode Island is a good place to live, broken down neighborhood by neighborhood.
Is Rhode Island a Good Place to Live? An Agent's Honest 2026 Guide
Is Rhode Island a good place to live in 2026? An honest agent's breakdown of the pros, cons, taxes, and best towns for families and retirees.
Living in Pawtucket, RI: An Honest Local Guide (2026)
An honest local's guide to living in Pawtucket, RI in 2026: neighborhoods, prices, the new commuter rail, schools, and who it actually suits.
Is Rhode Island a Good Place to Retire? An Agent's 2026 Guide
A dual-licensed RI and MA agent's honest, numbers-driven look at retiring in Rhode Island: taxes, towns, healthcare, and downsizing in 2026.
Rhode Island Property Taxes by Town: The Mill Rate Guide (2026)
How Rhode Island property taxes work town by town in 2026, how to read mill rates, and how to estimate your real annual bill before you buy.
Rhode Island Taxes Explained: Income, Sales, Property & Social Security (2026)
A plain-English guide to Rhode Island taxes for people moving or buying here: income, 7% sales, property by town, and Social Security.
Selling Your House By Owner (FSBO) in Rhode Island: The Honest Math
Can you sell your house FSBO in Rhode Island? Yes. Here is the honest step-by-step, what you save, and the real risks, from a licensed RI agent.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in Rhode Island? A Real Estate View (2026)
A real estate agent's honest take on whether solar pays off in RI, and how owned vs leased panels change your home sale.
Southeastern Massachusetts vs Rhode Island: Where Should You Buy? (2026)
A dual-licensed RI and MA agent breaks down taxes, prices, schools, and closings across the border towns to help you decide where to buy in 2026.
Moving from Massachusetts to Rhode Island: Taxes, Costs, and What Nobody Tells You
An honest, numbers-driven guide to crossing the border. Discover the true tax implications, hidden costs, and real-world differences between living in MA vs. RI.
Pawtucket vs Attleboro: Where Your Money Goes Further in 2026
Two border towns, two different states, one shared border. We break down the real estate, transit, schools, and cost of living of Pawtucket vs. Attleboro.
Should You Sell Your Rhode Island Home Right Now? The Honest Math
Thinking about capitalizing on historic home prices in RI? Here is a raw, analytical look at interest rates, low inventory, and the real cost of trading your mortgage.
What Zillow Gets Wrong About Your Home's Value (From Someone Who Runs the Real Numbers)
The 'Zestimate' is a fun party trick, but a terrible financial tool. Learn how automated valuation algorithms fail in older, highly nuanced New England markets.
First-Time Buyer in RI or MA: The Complete Order of Operations
Avoid the critical mistakes that tank purchase offers. Learn the exact, step-by-step sequence of buying your first home in the New England market.