Real Estate Information Archive

Many seniors plan to live at home for as long as it is physically possible. Unless a major transformation needs to be made, most changes are simple. The following seven modifications are easy DIY jobs everyone in the family can take care of over a weekend:

• Replace all doorknobs with lever-style handles so that those with arthritis or other motor skill problems can open doors easily.
• Install anti-skid treads to ramps and steps to minimize slipping.
• To reduce the danger of falls, area rugs can be secured with non-slip rug padding or double-sided carpet tape.
• If a total bathroom remodel is not affordable, installing grab-bars to the shower, bath, and toilet area walls will offer security for moving around in a slippery bathroom.
• Change faucets in the kitchen and bath to single lever handles or install motion-sensor or touch-activated units for ease of use.
• Outdoor lighting is essential for everyone’s safety, and there are many options for adding low-voltage and solar-powered lights to posts along ramps and atop porch rails, as well as pathway lighting.
• Electrical issues to consider - light switches that can be pressed for turning off and on, electrical outlets placed higher than the standard height and adding more interior lighting.

This handy publication from AARP contains great ideas to assist with setting your loved one up for independent living. Hopefully you and your much-loved senior will look at this stage of life not as a challenge, but rather as a way to keep a distant–but watchful–eye over them while they maintain their sense of independence and quality of life.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins. 

Our resolutions for the new year normally focus on eating healthier, losing weight, kicking dirty habits--the list goes on. Sadly, by the end of February, we find ourselves just trying to remember what our resolutions were, much less sticking to them! Homeownership can be the same way; we start out with good intentions and fall short. While the next seven items are not everything a homeowner needs to keep up with, they are easy to do!

• Keep the yard in tip-top shape year-round with these tips from The Family Handyman.
   
• Resolve to cut the clutter in your house one room per week.
   
• Repair the little things that are not necessarily safety issues: door knobs that are not working, dripping faucets, or squeaky floors. Letting the little things go can cause bigger problems and may cost more later.
   
• Having an energy audit performed on your house can save energy and money. Many power companies offer this service free; check with your provider for more information.
   
• Home security systems are not foolproof against hackers, nor are smart home accessories. Change passwords frequently, and do not reuse passwords. Make it even more difficult to breach by using two-factor authentication.
   
• Get those finances in order! Commit to saving money, not only in the literal sense, but get the best rates on insurance, or consider refinancing your mortgage. NerdWallet has some great tips for building equity in your home.
   
• Print out this free home checklist so that season by season, nothing is overlooked!

Find a good balance between spending time on home maintenance and caring for yourself and your family. Some projects incorporate the whole family, such as a big cleaning job or yard work. As important as it is to keep up your home, it is important to keep up with family.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins. 

A friend or family member has bought their first home, and they realize that there are a few items that would really come in handy for projects, homekeeping, maintenance or yardwork. There may even be a few things they don’t necessarily need, but would be fun to have.  Here are some gifts ideas that go from practical to over-the-top:

Practical Gifts

• Well-stocked tool kit or tool box
• Fire extinguisher
• Long-lasting LED lightbulbs
• Home maintenance diary
• Portable generator
• Drywall repair kit
• Lawnmower
• Garden tools
• Rain barrel
• Picture hanging kit
• Address numbers or display plaque

Smart Home Gadgets

• Video peephole viewer
• Voice controlled home assistant (Amazon echo, Google Home)
• Smart locks
• Learning/smart thermostat
• Climate Manager
• TV streaming stick and video subscription
• Robot vacuum cleaner
• Amazon Prime for a year

Something More Personal

• Meal plan subscription: Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef
• Home magazine subscription
• Pet adoption gift certificate
• Trees to plant
• Personalized welcome mat
• New mailbox
• Personalized keychain

A Little Extravagant

• Digital canvas
• Pest control for a year
• Hands-free paper towel dispenser
• Robot lawn mower
• Voice activated grocery list maker
• Home warranty for a year
• Local interior design consultation
• Drawing, painting or edited photo of new home

Owning a home for the first time can be a bit overwhelming with all of the new costs. The perfect time to give a new homebuyer something they can use, something they want, or something completely unnecessary is now!

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins. 

The best thing about the holidays in December is getting together with family and friends.  Adults and children alike can enjoy most of these activities:

• Cookie swap:  This is a gathering that benefits everyone.  Invite several friends who will choose a cookie recipe to pre-bake, and bring the batch to a central location.  Sample the treats, with cocoa or coffee, and have packaging available so attendees can take home small batches of their favorites.
   
• Ugly Sweater Crafts:  Instead of wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, use it to make a stocking, pillow, or small ornaments.  Have invitees bring one snack or drink each so you won’t have to worry about a lot of food prep. Get inspiration from these ideas from Better Homes and Garden’s website.
   
• Hanukkah Cupcake party:  Each party goer bakes a dozen cupcakes, and brings them unfrosted to the party.  Have frosting, frosting bags and tips, sprinkles and candies available, and everyone gets to dress up their cupcakes themselves.  Swap them out so they can take home a variety.
   
• Kids Christmas ornament party:  purchase clear shatterproof ornaments specifically for filling and have artificial snow, small toys, artificial greenery--anything small enough to fit in the ornament-- along with ribbon, craft paints, and stickers, and have them create their own ornament.  Use adult supervision with very small children, or if using adhesives, especially hot glue.
   
• Gingerbread house decorating:  Lucky guests get to make and take their own cookie house!  This can be a simple venture with a gingerbread house kit, or using graham crackers, candies and royal icing, or more advanced with home-baked gingerbread cookies and decorations. This is another fun activity for the children as well as the adults.
   
• Dreidel craft:  Have the kids come over and make dreidels from craft kits or from modeling clay, skewers cut into 2” lengths and blue markers.  There are also many  inexpensive paper kits available on etsy. After the dreidels are finished, have some gelt ready, and host a spin-off tournament with prizes!
   
• Kalah game for Kwanzaa:  This is something kids will enjoy.  Cut the lid off an egg carton, then cut the lid in half.  Tape each half to the end of the bottom of the egg carton to form a tray.  Using 36 pebbles, dry beans, or pasta, play the game of kalah.

For these casual get-togethers, send invitations via email, create an event on social media and invite friends, or use an online website to help--evite can help you design a free e-invitation, and can help you track RSVP’s. Add snacks, a cocoa or coffee bar, and make it merry!

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.   

Many people turn to the “Foreclosures” section of online house hunts or newspaper ads. Sure, the price is a bargain, but there is normally a different process when purchasing a home that is in foreclosure. Consider these tips before heading to the auction or making an offer:

• If the property is on the auction block, the bidder will likely need the full purchase amount in cash. The lender is looking to recoup as much from the defaulted loan as possible, which does not allow time for the financing process.
   
• Most foreclosures have been unoccupied and will be affected by that. The new owner will need to be ready to put in some work and cash to bring it up to code/living conditions.
   
• Some states allow redemption to the homeowner, and HUD defines this as “...a period after [the] home has already been sold at a foreclosure sale when [a homeowner] can still reclaim [their] home.”
   
• Because a foreclosed property is sold “as is,” the buyer will not receive any disclosures, meaning, a home inspection is a must!  Depending on who owns the property will make a difference in how much time the buyer has to complete the inspection. 
   
• On the other hand, if the property is REO (real estate owned), the buyer will be able to go through the home-buying process in the usual way and have time to secure financing for the purchase.
   
• An REO will be sold as-is just like an auctioned property, and all repairs will have to be done by the new owner--there are no repair requests or contingencies granted.
   
• For buyers who are new to the foreclosure-purchase game, going through a bank to buy the property is their best bet versus bidding at an auction.
   
• For distressed properties, it is recommended that the interested party have a title search performed. Buying a foreclosure takes long enough, and this will help remove any roadblocks.

For foreclosure-hunting convenience, realtor.com® has a search page specifically for foreclosures! Municipality offices also publish notices on tax foreclosures, and if the funding is available, pre-foreclosures and short sales are other great property bargains. Remember to contact a Realtor® that is experienced in distressed sales. Their knowledge and expertise can make a drawn-out process go smoothly!

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.   

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.  

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins. 

Most home buyers believe that they must have a 20% down payment before they can even think about purchasing a new home. This is simply not true! While there is nothing wrong with saving towards that amount, there are several programs available to first-time home buyers, as well as repeat buyers. With over 2,000 such programs in the United States, it should not be a problem to find one in your area.

• Down payment assistance (DAP) are available in the form of grants or loans and are most often available through state and federal agencies:
  • Grant: money that is gifted and never has to be repaid
  • Loan: a second mortgage that is paid monthly along with the primary mortgage
  • Deferred loan: a second mortgage with deferred payments that only have to be paid when you move, sell, or refinance
  • Forgivable loan: a second mortgage that is forgiven over a set number of years (often five, but could be up to 15 or 20); repayment is necessary only if you move, sell, or refinance too early
     
• Many lenders offer DAP that is built into the loan program, especially for first-time home buyers.
   
• Government-backed lenders, such as FHA and USDA, require as low as 0-5% down on a home purchase. Check their websites for more information to see if you qualify.
   
• Fannie Mae’s HomeReady Mortgage program offers DAP; see website for qualification and loan information.
   
• Veterans can qualify for a mortgage that requires no down payment. Visit the Veterans Affairs government website to learn more about their mortgage loan program.
   
• Public servants, such as teachers, first responders, and nurses can check out Next Door Programs for information about DAPs.
   
• Not only do some lenders offer DPA, but they also offer loans to cover all or part of the closing costs, which can cost, on average, 2-6% of the purchase price of the home.

Take care when you are searching online for information about DAPs; many commercial websites are set up to appear to be the agency when they are in reality a lender or a website that receives kickbacks from lenders. Look for the contact information in your area or on official government websites so you can speak to someone who has no ulterior motive to assist in borrowing money to purchase a new home.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.