Residential Properties Ltd., Still Leading The Market

This Patch article is sponsored by Residential Properties Ltd.

Residential Properties Ltd. is Rhode Island’s largest and most successful independent real estate company with over 260 agents and nine offices locations — including Barrington, Cumberland, East Greenwich, Little Compton, Narragansett, Newport, Providence, the West Side of Providence and Westport, Mass. For over a decade straight, RPL has ranked No.1 in Rhode Island for overall sales volume.

In addition, Residential Properties Ltd. consistently earns national recognition as one of the top real estate companies in the country. Recently, RPL was included on the 2021 Real Trends Top 500 and the RIS Media Top 500 Power Broker Rankings — two prestigious lists of the largest and most successful residential real estate brokerages in the entire nation.

As one of the few firms with a full service in-house marketing department, RPL produces professional photography, video tours, virtual 3D walkthroughs and independent property websites to differentiate its listings, improve exposure and increase property inquiries. The company’s award-winning website has been ranked as one of the top 25 real estate sites in the entire country. Designed to be fully responsive for today’s mobile market, the site offers a plethora of tools to assist clients in finding the perfect home, including advanced search options, community information, property alerts and relocation advice.

Most importantly, our offices are filled with knowledgeable agents who will strive to provide a positive, satisfying and professional experience, whether you’re buying your first house, selling a property or moving into your dream home.

Patch had a chance to talk with Sally Lapides, President and CEO of Residential Properties Ltd.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town, or how long has your organization been around in the community?

Lapides: Residential Properties Ltd. is proud to have recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary!

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Lapides: After college, my original intention was to go to graduate school in art history. I dreamed of being a curator or museum director. I was working in a gallery and loved the art world. But three months after getting the gallery job, the owner decided to move his business to Washington, D.C. Since I had nine months left on my lease, my mother, who was an extraordinary real estate professional, suggested I go into the real estate business and rent apartments to all my friends until I left for graduate school. I loved the business and sold 24 houses over the next eight months and decided I had found my calling!

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?

Lapides: Providing homeownership opportunities to everyone.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Lapides: The market crashes in the early 80’s and early 90's hit everyone in Rhode Island. The housing markets came to a screeching halt like a crowbar in a speeding bike. People were losing jobs and their houses to foreclosure, and they were the most challenging times in the real estate business.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Lapides: Advising the management and agents in the company. I used to be the youngest person at the table and now I am the wise counsel. I love problem solving and thinking outside the box on advertising and marketing.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Lapides: We have extraordinary agents, we have nine offices, eight of which are in Rhode Island and one of which is in Westport, Mass. We have fabulous marketing, video, photography and staging. Our management does not sell and compete with their agents. We are independent and are affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a world-wide network of the best independent brokerages and we offer more support to our agents than any firm.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Lapides: Work hard, be the smartest you can be in your field and value and nourish the relationships you have.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about? If so, what details can you share and what makes it so exciting?

Lapides: We are excited to have opened three new offices during the pandemic. Newport, Little Compton and Westport. We have recently moved into fabulous new office space in Westport and will be in our new space in Newport before June. Growth in new territories is incredibly exciting.