Residential Properties Ltd., Rhode Island’s leading real estate company, announces the opening of a new office at 33 Meetinghouse Lane in Little Compton, following the recent acquisition of Shethar Real Estate. The office will launch with a total of eight expert real estate professionals to serve the local area, featuring several new additions to the Residential Properties family, including Broker Associate Rhonda Marvell, Sales Associate Jain Cern, and Sales Associate Patricia Fontaine.
Since opening its first office in 1981, Residential Properties Ltd. has become the state’s largest and most successful independent real estate brokerage. With over 270 agents and a total of nine office locations, RPL became the first and only Rhode Island brokerage to ever top $1 billion in sales during 2020 and was included on the 2021 REAL Trends list of the top 500 most successful real estate companies in the nation.
Rhonda Marvell was the Principal Broker and owner of Shethar Real Estate and has specialized in waterfront and historic homes since 1979. She has lived and worked in Little Compton for more than 40 years, bringing with her a treasure trove of local knowledge and expertise. Her list of board memberships includes the National Association of Realtors®, the Rhode Island Association of Realtors®, and the Newport County Board of Realtors®.
“We are pleased and thrilled to announce the opening of our ninth office in Little Compton and to welcome Rhonda Marvell and her associate Jain Cern of Shethar Real Estate to Residential Properties,” RPL President & CEO Sally Lapides said. “I raised my two sons every summer in Little Compton and have been a resident of this magical town for 37 years. I am grateful for this opportunity. Despite the pandemic, last year was a special one for RPL, as we became the first residential brokerage in Rhode Island to hit $1 billion in sales. We are continuing to grow and expand, opening offices in Westport, Newport, and now in Little Compton. Residential Properties is proud to serve all of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts.”
Broker Manager Ian Barnacle, who currently manages RPL’s Barrington and Westport offices, will take on the role of managing this newest location. “Our office in Little Compton will work together with our Westport location to provide complete coverage of the South Coast and to better serve our clients and communities,” Barnacle noted. “We are very excited to welcome the Shethar Real Estate team to the Residential Properties family.”
To learn more, we sat down with Rhonda for an interview discussing RPL, Shethar Real Estate, and this exciting addition to the company.
What about RPL felt like a good fit for you and Shethar Real Estate?
“Sally’s attention to detail and individual focus is exactly what a small-town community needs. She and her executive team help provide a personalized experience, rather than the corporate feel that so many other companies have.”
What were your thoughts about RPL prior to joining the company?
“I have known Sally for many years and feel that she has been a successful person in Rhode Island real estate. She has kept her hand on the pulse of the changing market and met its demands consistently.”
Why is now the right time for you and your company to make this move?
“I wanted to be part of an organization with the tools and systems in place to connect with today’s buyer, who is more internet savvy and prefers to begin searching online. Also, the Relocation Department and their international clientele provide a broader reach that adds challenge and excitement to the work we do. RPL has stood out in showing that businesses can be brought into the state and has helped employees relocating to Rhode Island with confidence and ease.”
What does RPL provide that makes it such a desirable company to work for?
“It’s the confidence that I have in Sally ‒ that she has developed an organization that is stable and able to reach so many aspects of the business, as I’ve noted with the Relocation Department. They are on the ball. The assistance that you receive with any issue is second to none.”
Can you tell us about the 33 Meeting House Lane office and why it is a great location for both agents and clients?
“It’s on the main drag and people are either on their way to the general store or on their way back. Also, the gas station next door draws many people due to their ice cream trolley and frequent ‘antique’ sales!”
How do you inspire your team? / What inspires you?
“I always tell my agents to share and promote this beautiful area with others. The motivation is the love of this rare and gorgeous landscape that you see every day. It is different from other places because you have a busy season and then a slower time where you get to enjoy the quietness and the calm of the ocean.”
What are you most looking forward to by joining RPL?
“I am looking forward to rejuvenating my love for real estate and sharing this vibrant real estate market.”
Meet RPL’s Little Compton Sales Associates!
Jain Cern, Sales Associate
Jain joins RPL from Shethar Real Estate, where she has consistently been the top producer. Licensed in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, she has been an integral part of the Little Compton community all her life, originally as a summer resident and now on a year-round basis. Jain is a member of the following real estate boards: the Newport County Board of Realtors®, Rhode Island Multiple Listing Service, and the Massachusetts Public Information Network Multiple Listing Service.
Patricia Fontaine, Sales Associate
Patricia is a native of Little Compton familiar with even its smallest areas. She has spent the last decade developing a range of skills and expertise pertinent to the home-buying experience. Her over three years as a property manager has made her a swift multitasker, taking care of day-to-day operations for multiple properties as well as leading their marketing and social media. Patricia’s previous two years at another Rhode Island real estate company gave her the focus and skill to compete in a changing market.
Rhonda Marvell, Broker Associate
As the former Principal Broker and Owner of Shethar Real Estate, Rhonda has lived and worked in Little Compton for more than 40 years and brings with her a wealth of local knowledge and expertise. She is a licensed broker in both MA and RI and has specialized in waterfront and historic homes since 1979.
Joining these new additions to the Residential Properties family at the new Little Compton office will be Manager Ian Barnacle and current RPL Sales Associates Stephanie Markoff Cohen, Victor Pereira, Rebecca Rubin, and Michelle Shevlin.
