2019 vs. 2024: Houses are harder to find and even harder to afford
The median list price of homes for sale nationwide has increased 37.5% compared to May 2019, five years ago.
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Comedian Matt Rife is the latest star to call Rhode Island home.
During a podcast interview on Thursday, the actor said he purchased a property in the Ocean State about three months ago.
In an interview with comedians H. Foley and Kevin Ryan on their podcast “Are You Garbage?” Rife said he initially didn’t consider buying a home in Rhode Island – “it wasn’t even in the top 10 states I looked at,” he said – but eventually found a property that fit his needs.
Here’s what we know about Rife’s new home.
Why Matt Rife chose Rhode Island as his new home
In a podcast interview on Thursday, comedian and actor Matt Rife said he bought an estate in Rhode Island with 80 acres of land and two four-bedroom houses.
“I wanted justice in the state,” he joked in response to the moderator’s statement that 80 acres was “most of Rhode Island.”
The 28-year-old said he chose the Ocean State because of its affordable travel options, among other things.
Rife also said he was looking for a home in an area with a good comedy scene. He said Providence’s Comedy Connection and the area’s proximity to Boston met that requirement.
“I probably got all of this for the price of a two-bedroom apartment with no yard in LA,” Rife said.
Matt Rife’s Rhode Island home: What we know
Comedian Matt Rife said his new home in Rhode Island is currently under construction, so he has only spent about six days at the property so far.
He said the house had a beautiful view and he planned to build a recording studio on the property.
“I look forward to waking up and seeing the sun shining through my window. The view I have on a sunny day is just breathtaking,” Rife said.
While Rife didn’t reveal exactly where he moved, he did say his new home is about 20 minutes from the Conjuring House in Burrillville, where Rife has filmed at the Conjuring House before.
Magic House: The real house from “The Conjuring” is in Rhode Island – but here’s the true story
State land records suggest Rife’s new home could be in North Smithfield. An 85-acre property in the city was sold in April to an LLC that lists Rife’s manager, Christina Shams, as the manager, state business records show.
The four-bedroom home features a solarium, game room, wine cellar and main floor master suite, as well as a pool with a cabana. The home also has horse stables, and in previous interviews, Rife has talked about how his mother always wanted horses.
Who is Matt Rife?
Matt Rife is a comedian and actor.
In 2023, his comedy special “Natural Selection” aired on Netflix. He also appeared on MTV’s Wild ‘n Out.
Rife is originally from Ohio but lives primarily in Los Angeles.
Which celebrities own a house in Rhode Island?
Comedian Matt Rife isn’t the only celebrity who lives in Rhode Island – as it turns out, many famous people own a home in the Ocean State.
RI Celebrities: Some of them you know, others you don’t. 10 Celebrities with Houses in Rhode Island
Arguably the most famous Rhode Island homeowner is Taylor Swift, who in 2020 released the song “The Last Great American Dynasty” about the mansion she has owned in Westerly since 2013.
Other big names include fellow comedians Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien.
