Real Estate Information Archive

Congratulations! You’ve survived the process of leaving one home and finding another and the onus of packing everything up and then unpacking the same boxes.  You’ve found a new bank and a new doctor; you’ve investigated trash pick-up times, licensing requirements, and car registration; and your mail is being forwarded on a regular basis.  So far so good, but now that you’re somewhat settled in your home, it’s time to become familiar with your new environment.

The following tips are designed to help you become part of your new community and re-create the sense of belonging you had in your previous location.

• Go online to learn about the new area and what it has to offer. Look at the city or chamber of commerce website. Research religious facilities, cultural opportunities, parks and outdoor activities, and so much more!
   
• Acquire a regional map and drive around. Explore shortcuts and pinpoint the location of shopping malls, medical services, libraries, the post office, city offices, etc.
   
• Talk to neighbors. Ask advice about home maintenance companies, babysitters, doctors, or the civic league or homeowners’ organization association.
   
• Take a walking tour of your neighborhood. Introduce yourself to and initiate conversations with neighbors who are outside. Compliment their yard or ask directions, for starters.
   
• Attend garage/yard sales in the vicinity of your home. Shoppers at these events are generally friendly and gregarious, so talk to them.
   
• Read the local newspaper to discover places of interest and happenings in the area. Look for clubs or group meetings that focus on your interests--art, gardening, books, sports, crafts, e.g.
   
• Join a recreation center or gym. Attend classes there or work out with a group that you know will share your interests.
   
• Volunteer. Check with a church or synagogue, a hospital, library, or school near you. Volunteering is a terrific way to meet people and to make you feel an integral part of the community.
   
• Give a house warming party and invite all your neighbors. Such an occasion is a good reason to finish unpacking and decorating your new home and a wonderful way to make friends..

Before long you will become familiar with your new environment and be comfortable there. Best of all, you will “belong” once again! 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

Photo credit: istock

New Castle County DE new listings declined 5.95% in February 2016 with 601 homes for sale compared to 639 in February 2015. The average sales price rose 2.11% in February to $223,952 from $219,325 in February 2015.

Information courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.

You may or may not have small children living in your home but even if you don’t you might have a family member or a friend who does, so tips on how to childproof your home may be advantageous to you.  There are several ways in which you can make your home child friendly so that you don’t have to worry about any little ones getting hurt or any of your stuff destroyed. 

• The first and most important tip to make your home childproof is to cover your electrical outlets.  For some reason electrical outlets are very interesting to little hands and fingers.  The best way to keep the kids from exploring your electrical outlets is to buy covers for them.  Make sure to get the electrical outlets that are not that hard for you to pull out so that you don’t constantly have to try so hard to remove them when you want to use an outlet. 
• This may sound silly but get on your hands and knees and travel around your home looking for things that might be dangerous.  You may find that you see much more clearly by getting down to a child’s level when it comes to childproofing your home.  Fix any issues you deem to be hazardous to kids while you are in this position.
• Put glass items and valuables up high out of reach of children.  This will not only help keep children safe in your home but it will also keep your valuables from getting broken.
• If you have anything sharp such as a fireplace with edges made from stone or brick you may want to buy covers for those edges to use when you will have small children around.  If you have little ones who live in your home you may want to keep these areas covered at all times. 
• If you have a swimming pool, always make sure that someone is outside watching the children if they want to play in the back yard.  Even if you have the pool surrounded by a fence you need to make sure the kids are looked after if they are anywhere near a pool. 

Hopefully some of these ideas for childproofing your home will be helpful to you and will prevent an accident from happening.  Once you feel as if your home is childproof then you will no longer have to worry about little ones getting hurt and you can enjoy your new or existing home. 

Courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins!

Although the economy has improved some over the last few years, it doesn’t seem to be getting a whole lot better for most Americans.  A good way to save money is to downsize your home.  This is especially a good idea if you have already raised your family and you and your husband are left paying a mortgage on a home that is too large for you.  Let’s take a look at how downsizing your home will help you to save a bit of money, to live more comfortably as well as some easy ways that you can downsize.

• One easy way to downsize is to look for a home that has a small garage or even no garage at all.  If you and your spouse are living in the home alone and your children are grown it is likely that you don’t have a bunch of stuff to store in a garage.  Buying a home without a garage is a great way to get more house for your money and to downsize your payment. 
• Finding a home without a lot of land is another way to downsize and to save big.  You can find a lot of cute houses on the market these days that don’t have a ton of land with them.  It is also good to find a home without a lot of land if you are older and don’t have the stamina you once had to do all the yard work that is involved with a house with a lot of land attached. 
• Buying a home that is one story is also a good way to downsize and to save when it comes to buying a new home.  Buying a home without stairs is good for when you get older as well because you won’t want to or may not be able to climb them once you get up in years. 
• Realize that you don’t have to give up on the home of your dreams when you downsize.  There are plenty of adorable houses on the market that won’t break your bank account that are 1500 square feet or less.  Don’t let society dictate to you that you need a large house in order to fit in.  There are plenty of upsides to downsizing to a smaller home!

Once you set your mind in the right direction and you realize that you don’t need to have a huge house and that it’s no longer important to “keep up with the Jones’’ you will be well on your way to saving a lot of money.

Courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins!

Soon, all things pumpkin spice will be here, including the home visitors that bring them. In preparation of the door bell ringing, create a little spice of your own with some seasonal curb appeal. You don’t have to limit yourself to pumpkins and hay bales — below are tips and projects for sprucing up your home’s view from the curb this season.

Front door, first impressions

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Give your door a fresh face with a coat of paint in a bold fall color to draw the eye to this focal point of your home.

Another project is to replace the door entirely. Consider options with decorative glass accents, and stunning sidelights (windows on either side of the door) to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy. Plus, as temperatures start to drop, Energy Star -qualified entry doors will help maintain your home’s energy efficiency.

Accessorize with new hardware

Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes that compliment light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers for a polished, cohesive look. You’ll be delightfully surprised what a difference new hardware can make in creating an updated look to your home.

Refresh exterior body and trim colors

For a dramatic change, repaint your home’s exterior. It’s bold and can make your home stand out from other homes on the block. Not up for the bold change? To make an impact with a smaller change, add new trim colors. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home’s primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.

Create points of interest with plants

You don’t have to stop enjoying beautiful plants and flowers simply because summer is over. Add pops of color by arranging pots filled with hearty fall flowers like mums, sedum or asters around your front door, or on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest.

Accent with lighting

As summer light fades into shorter, darker days, add exterior accent lighting to the front of your home. Illuminate a walking path with ground-insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or to shine on your updated front door. Install matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to provide well-lit entrances that are stylish and inviting to neighbors and guests.

Courtesy of New Castle DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.

Kitchen cabinets can be painted (if they are wood and in decent shape). Many times the cabinets themselves can be reused; it’s just the doors and drawer fronts that are tired. If they are too far gone to paint, or you just don’t want to do it, new doors and drawer fronts (refacing) can be found at the Taylor Cabinet Door Company (www.taylorcabinetdoor.com 800.852.7087). Don’t forget to get the new soft close hinges to replace the old ones. You can then install doors and fronts or hire a contractor to do the job. Taylor says it usually runs about $15 an item to get installed. For example, a good sized kitchen with 30 doors, 16 drawer fronts, and 4 false doors in painted maple (with accompanying hinges) will cost (uninstalled) around $3,800, another $300 if you want a glazed finish. There are also plenty of different woods and panel styles available. Plan on about a month, however, to receive your new custom fronts.

Cabinet door and drawer hardware – just surf the internet. There is a lot of cool stuff out there. Even Home Depot, Lowes, and IKEA have big selections.

Counter Tops – Granite is still in fashion and prices have fallen, but some of the newer materials are also gaining popularity. Quartz and silestone are less porous and just as heat resistant. Stainless steel is gaining favor. Laminates, tile, and concrete are losing popularity. Corian and wood are once again gaining popularity on the west coast – but not here in Delaware yet. It’s hard to go wrong with a decent granite and an under mounted stainless steel sink. I also really like the hands free kitchen faucets. Shop on the internet and you can find them substantially discounted!

Lighting – It’s time to get rid of the old brass bar lamps. There are a wide range of new fixtures out there that will grace any kitchen.

Appliances – Brushed stainless and nickel are the choice of the moment. Just don’t get ones that show fingerprints or discolor with heat (read reviews on the appliances you are considering). Not all expensive appliances are worth the expense. If practical get a gas cooktop/range. Obviously you need a dishwasher and refrigerator, but forget the trash compactor and maybe the wine cooler (or maybe not, they are kind of cool).

Flooring – Hardwoods and Tiles seem to rule the floor. There are plenty of exotics from which to choose from but don’t go overboard.

Backsplash – Options include tile and, well, tile. I recommend the tile!

Information courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins.

The summer storm season is here and there are things that you may need to do to prepare your home for them.  In this blog post today we will give you a few tips on how to prepare your home for the upcoming storm season. 

• First, fix any damage the past winter has done to your roof.  You may need to replace a few shingles or you may even have to replace the entire roof.  Hire a professional if you don’t know much about how to fix your own roof.  You don’t want storms coming if you have damage to your roof because you may end up with damage on the inside of your house as a result. 
• Check to make sure your gutters are not full of debris and leaves.   During the winter months gutters tend to go un-checked.  If your gutters are full, the first summer storm that comes your way will most likely cause you and anyone who enters your home to get a hat full of rain water.  Take care of things like this before storm season arrives and you will be glad you did. 
• Have a professional come out and check to make sure your trees are secure.  Make sure the professionals cut down all trees that may have issues and get rid of any loose limbs.  You don’t want tree limbs flying through the air during a summer storm. 
• If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working and perhaps even get a battery powered back-up so that your pump will continue to work in the event the power goes out. 
• Have a plan in place for you and your family  in case of a bad storm.  You may live in an area where there aren’t many bad storms but you never know when one may come about. 
• Make sure that your windows are good and secure and that there are no areas in which water can get inside them.  If your windows are older you may consider replacing them. 

Hopefully these tips have given you a head start on getting your home ready for the storm season.  You can never be too prepared. 

Information courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins.

With the summer season upon us, we need to tend to a few maintenance tasks before we can settle down in a hammock without a care in the world.  Keeping in mind the adage, “A stitch in time…”, we need to test the garage door opener, check the air conditioning system, and service the lawn mower to ensure a breakdown-free summer.

• When was the last time you thought about your garage door or its automatic opener?  Like any mechanical system, the door and opener need some periodic, preventative maintenance. If you live in an area of frequent thunderstorms, a tight, well maintained garage door can also help prevent expensive results of a storm-ruptured door. The Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International has a good guide to help you inspect and test your complete garage door system. It's a good idea to make monthly inspection and testing a part of your regular routine.
   
• Sweltering temperatures may be just around the corner, and your best defense is a central air-conditioning system. There are a few things you can do to make sure that it's tuned up and ready to go when the summer heat arrives.  Before you start tinkering with the system, however, it's important to have a basic understanding of: the condenser, the blower unit, and the ductwork of your system.  Visit the DASMA website for a complete explanation and instructions on how to fine tune it.
   
• Many small tasks are involved with getting your lawn mower ready for reliable summer use.

Check, belts, blades, all bolts and fasteners, tires, and wheels. If you have fuel older than 30 days stored in containers, not use it.  Any idea when you last changed the oil?  Drain it and replace it with oil the manufacturer recommends. Consider, too, replacing the sparkplug—if you do, add a couple drops of engine oil into the hole, and then replace the plug. Check your air and fuel filters and replace if they are dirty or clogged.  Follow the recommendations found at LawnCare.com.

Once you’ve completed these chores, feel free to visit yet another website for more suggestions—simple ones-- on how to maintain your home during the summer months.  So much for hammock time!

Information courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins.

The majority of articles advocating home ownership center around financial benefits—fixed monthly expenses, tax benefits, accruing equity, etc.—and indeed these incentives do propel many people to purchase a home.  According to two recent polls (Gallop and the Allstate / National Journal survey), however, other more intangible factors also motivate the purchase of a piece of real estate.

• Sense of community:  As a homeowner, you’ll be centered in a strong community of like-minded people, which can be a valuable asset for you and your family.  Homeownership brings a sense of pride in both your home and your community.  Various studies suggest that a higher homeownership rate brings lower crime rates, higher property values, better educated children, and ultimately closer communities.  Investing in a home may also mean investing in your family and your community by getting involved.  Once you own a home, you feel more attached to the area in which you live. You're more interested in what happens in your neighborhood, to the roads, schools, and shopping areas.
  
   
• Renewed belief in the American Dream:  Although confidence in that dream has faltered in recent years, the desire to own a home is rebounding, especially among younger buyers and members of diverse ethnic groups.  Pride and family stability are important factors in today’s dream. Your house is the physical manifestation of your years of hard work and financial responsibility. And nothing says “success story” like owning your very own piece of the American dream.
   
• Higher academic achievement of children:  Consistent findings show that homeownership does have a significant positive impact on educational achievement.  Some studies find that homeownership brings residential stability, and it is this stability that raises educational attainment.  Another asserts that while homeownership raises educational outcomes for children, neighborhood stability further enhances the positive outcome.  Additional research has shown that there is an increased chance of success in many areas for the children of homeowners.
   
• Freedom to “do your own thing.”  If you own your house, the home improvement store is your oyster! You can paint, remodel, remove, or restyle just about anything in your home to meet your individual needs and/or reflect your tastes and personality.

Owning a home is certainly a wise investment—in so many ways!

Information courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins.

Most sellers have been advised to be aware of the importance of curb appeal in heightening the interest of potential buyers.  To that end, they keep the lawn mowed and bushes trimmed.  They also adorn the outside entrance way with colorful potted flowers, updated light fixtures and hardware, and a freshly-painted door—all invitations to potential buyers to go inside.

An effective selling strategy, of course, but the invitations and positive impressions need to continue when prospective buyers actually come into your home.  Be it large, small, or cleverly created, the interior entryway to your house serves as the transition from outdoors to indoors and can set the tone and expectations for the rest of the home.

Some tips to creating a welcoming and attractive foyer or hallway include the following:

• Use one piece of size-appropriate furniture to anchor the space (and possibly provide room for storage).  Think desk, chest, bookcase, etagere, bench, or comfortable chair, e.g.  Consider function as well as appearance.
   
• Stress neatness.  Not only does an entryway set the tone of a home, but it can also keep the rest of your home tidy.  Attaching attractive hooks or other hardware to the wall next to the doorway can be an excellent place to hang coats, purses, bags, and keys.  A coat rack and umbrella stand can also be useful items.
   
• Utilize color to introduce the style of your home and/or to make a statement.  Some designers recommend using bright (red) or dark (chocolate brown) hues to mask the dimensions of a small space.  Others favor neutral shades such as grey, ecru, or white to make the furnishings the central focus.  Still others promote the use of yellow to add light or shades of green to bring the outside in.
   
• Be aware of lighting and size proportion.  Include a table lamp or sconces—even a chandelier if the area warrants it.  The addition of a mirror helps to reflect light and expand the space.
   
• Utilize accessories tastefully.   Add a colorful area rug, a favorite painting or poster, and plants, perhaps even a ficus or palm tree if space permits. Display a few pieces from one of your collections.  Include a variety of textures, shapes, and colors in your selections.  Remember that fresh flowers, in addition to pleasantly scenting the foyer, always send a welcoming message.to would-be buyers of your home.

Information courtesy of New Castle County Realtor Tucker Robbins.