As someone who also calls the off-Broadway neighborhood home, I’ve always believed it offers some of the best value and quality of life on Aquidneck Island. This week’s Home of the Week, 20 Mumford Avenue, is a wonderful example of why.
Back in February of 2021, a good friend of mine purchased the property. At the time, the home was just 636 square feet, a charming cottage that was the perfect fit for a young man looking to put down roots in Newport. He loved the location, the manageable size, and the opportunity to own a home in a neighborhood that was just close enough, and just far enough away from downtown Newport.
But as we know, life has a way of changing quickly.
Three years later, the family’s needs had grown, and so did the house. In 2024, the home underwent a thoughtful expansion that added a second level and transformed the original footprint into a beautifully finished two-bedroom, two-bath residence. Rather than simply adding square footage, the project was carefully curated to create spaces that felt bright, comfortable, and timeless. Vaulted ceilings in both bedrooms, hardwood floors throughout, a spacious primary suite with walk-in closet, and high-efficiency systems make the home feel far larger than its original size.
Today, nearly every major component of the home has been updated, including the roof, windows, siding, mechanical systems, and high-efficiency mini-split cooling.
Working remotely, my seller transformed the detached garage into a fully finished, heated and cooled flex space, creating the perfect home office with the added potential to introduce plumbing in the future for a true accessory dwelling unit. Whether used as a work-from-home retreat, fitness studio, creative space, or comfortable guest overflow, this versatile addition allows the property to adapt as you see fit.
Outside, the fully fenced yard, rear deck, outdoor shower, storage shed, and off-street parking for multiple vehicles create the kind of low-maintenance lifestyle buyers are increasingly searching for.
This is truly a move-in-ready home. And that’s really what makes this home so appealing. Right now there are 6 single family homes on the market available for sale in Newport that are priced under $1,000,000… 3 of them require major renovation needs. 2 of them don’t have any off-street parking.
From 20 Mumford Avenue, you can walk to some of Newport’s favorite coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, and neighborhood bars. Grab breakfast at Empire Tea & Coffee, meet friends for dinner along Broadway, or spend an evening downtown without ever having to move your car. The bridge and Navy Base are minutes away, making commutes on and off Aquidneck Island surprisingly easy. It’s a neighborhood where neighbors know each other, children ride bikes, and evening walks are part of the routine. In a city known for its tourism and second homes, the off-Broadway area remains one of Newport’s true residential neighborhoods, a safe and welcoming place where people put down roots.
Nice homes in Newport under $1 million are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Buyers continue to place a premium on quality and convenience, and fewer people are interested in taking on major renovations after closing. That’s what makes 20 Mumford Avenue so compelling. There is no waiting for contractors, no costly projects looming, and no compromise between character and modern amenities.
Simply drop your bags and enjoy the summer.
As often happens, life has evolved once again for this growing family, creating an opportunity for the next owners to write their own chapter at this address. What began as a 636-square-foot cottage became a great home for one family during a meaningful stage of life, and now it stands ready to welcome the next.
Listed for $850,000, 20 Mumford Avenue represents a thoughtfully renovated home in one of the city’s most convenient neighborhoods, offering a lifestyle that is every bit as valuable as the property itself. Join us at the Open Houses this weekend, Saturday and Sunday 1-2:30.
For more information or to schedule a private showing, contact Tyler Bernadyn of REMAX Results at 401-241-1851 or TylerB@ResultsWithREMAX.com.
