Thinking of Selling?
To sell your Delaware home, you'll need more than yard signs and advertisements. You need a full time professional agent who will work as your Trusted Advisor, Skilled Negotiator and Expert Facilitator. I can help you sell your home more quickly and easily by:
- As a Accredit Home Staging Professional, I can help you prepare your home for marketing in the best light, to attract the right buyers and the sales professionals who work with these buyers.
- Targeting the market where the most likely buyers will be.
- Qualifying calls from people who may be more curious than serious about buying.
- Showing your home to the best prospects.
- Accessing an established local network and ERA Relocation Services.
- Skillfully representing you during the offer process.
- Doing the necessary paperwork and legwork in a timely manner.
- Guiding you through settlement and beyond.
Six Critical Elements of a Sale of Delaware real estate
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Asking Price- This is the number one factor in the sale of your home. The actual market value is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. I will assist you in determining the most appropriate sales price. My customized sales and marketing plan will then expose your home to a large segment of potential buyers.
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Property Location- The second most important factor in the buyer's mind is location. The proximity to area amenities and schools is typically a concern. In addition, street traffic, proximity to expressways and public transportation are considerations.
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Property Condition - Buyers consider the structural and mechanical integrity of your home as well as the upkeep and cosmetic appeal. Neutral decor, including floor and wall coverings, appliances and fixtures, offers the broadest appeal to potential buyers. Staging a home involves a professional inspecting all aspects of a home and making it ready to sell. Contact me for more info.
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Market Conditions- Interest rates, competition from other properties, the economy and consumer confidence all influence the sale of your home and are beyond your control. The best response to these conditions is expert marketing and pricing strategy.
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Contract Terms- The terms of the sale can make or break a contract. For instance, house sale contingencies, closing dates and exclusions of accessories or fixtures should always be handled clearly up front in order to avoid any confusion that could affect the sale.
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Marketing- When marketing and advertising are done correctly, your home will sell more quickly and command a higher price. However, every property is unique and the marketing plan should be designed to target those buyers most likely to want your home. Special attention should be paid to the most popular sources buyers use to find the homes they purchase.
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Why use a Realtor to help when buying or selling Delaware real estate!
All real estate agents are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.
But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:
1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.
2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, mold asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.
7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTORS® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
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Delaware Cities and Counties Map
Delaware is comprised of 3 counties (see simplified map below) i.e. New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. The overall state population is about 783,000 with about 68% living in New Castle, 20 % in Kent, and 12% in sussex counties respectfully. In general Delaware's lifestyle is casual and includes business, agriculture, and beach resorts.
Delaware’s cost of living is about 10% lower than the national average and 15% to 20% more less nearby cities of Philadelphia or Baltimore. Home prices are considerably than the national average and surrounding metropolitan areas. As depicted in the map, Delaware is composed of three counties with terrains ranging from highly in the north to coastal plains in the south.
New Castle County- The northernmost county contains much of Delaware's banking and technology industries. Many large and small corporate offices are there due to favorable tax and other benefits provided by Delaware. There are major medical facilities there with one teaching hospital (Christiana Medical Center). The county's largest town is Wilmington population 72,000. more Wilmington info. New Castle (pop. 5200) is the county seat and has much to offer. In this charming town on the Delaware River, you can visit more than three centuries of American history. New Castle is a living town where history matters. Lose yourself for an afternoon, a weekend or longer in the first capital of the First State, where the alleys echo and the cobblestones ring with the determined footsteps of generations past more New Castle info .
Kent County- The central county's largest's town is Dover. Dover was founded in 1683 by William Penn. In 1717 and is the second largest city in delaware.
Sussex County- The southern most county ic comprised of rural, beach resort, and retail outlets. It is the mainstay of Delaware agriculture producing large quantities of grain and is a leading poultry producer.
The county is diverse in both its riches and its lifestyles. It is home to numerous seaside resorts, small towns, industry, and agriculture. Along the beach, tourism is strong. more Sussex info
Delaware towns Information
Selected townhighlights are given below.
Middletown- Middletown was incorporated on February 12, 1861. It was an early crossroads town, about half-way on the old cart road that extends across the peninsula between Appoquinimink Creek in Odessa and Bohemia Landing on the eastern branch of the Bohemia River in Maryland; thus the name, “Middletown.” It has a moderate climate, with an average monthly temperature range of 32*F (January) to 76*F (July) with four distinct seasons. Rainfall average 45inches per year, and snowfall avg. of 10 inches.
Middletown has a population of around 6,000 and represents one of the fastest growing and healthiest areas in the state. It has several new schools, plenty of shopping choices, and generally a good example of contemporary Delaware living. For more Middletown info see the following links: Middletown Official Web site Middletown Chamber of Commerce Middletown did you know
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Smyrna- Smyrna, incorporated in 1806, straddles New Castle and Kent Counties in Delaware. Current population is around 8,000 and has lots of personality, shopping, medical, and community amenities. It’s near enough to the business and technological industries in the greater Wilmington area to allow easy commute and far enough away to exhibit lower real estate taxes and prices.
The Old Town Hall was built between 1869 and 1879. The first floor housed the Town Office, the Smyrna Library, and the Police Station including the jail. In 1887, an addition was completed to add the Fire Department. The Smyrna Opera House was located on the second floor, and the third floor was used as a meeting room for various local lodges. Tragically, in 1948, a devastating fire broke out on Christmas Night destroying the bell tower, the entire third floor, and the balcony. Although the first floor occupants continued in the building, its usefulness was drastically curtailed.
The Town of Smyrna has over 490 buildings on the federal historic register and the most technologically up-to-date schools, making ours, one of the best school districts in the state. Smyrna?s small town, family-orientated atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to live, work, and pursue many diverse recreational opportunities. According to early history, Smyrna was first settled prior to the American Revolution on the southern bank of Duck Creek near the fork of Green?s Branch. Smyrna has been very successful in academics, the arts and athletics.
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Dover- Dover is located near the center of the Delaware, and is approximately 90 miles south of Philadelphia and 90 miles east of Washington, D.C. Dover with a population of 34,000, is also the state capital. It is the second largest city in Delaware. Dover is also one of the fast-growing areas in Delaware, due in large part to the relatively low cost of living. Apart from the state and county governments,
Dover is home to light industries such as the Playtex Corporation, General Mills and Procter & Gamble all have light manufacturing facilities in Dover. The Playtex Corporation, came to Dover in 1937 and was the first major non-agricultural industry in the City. ILC Dover, in nearby Frederica, is the producer of fabrics for military and aerospace uses, along with being the primary contractor for production of the Apollo and Skylab spacesuits, as well as the spacesuit assembly for the Space Shuttle's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). Also, Dover Air Force Base is located within the southeast corporate limits of the city. The base houses two airlift wings and provides much local business and employment.
Two weekends a year, NASCAR races are held at Dover International Speedway, attracting over 100,000 spectators and visitors and temporarily making Dover the state's largest city. These races, and in recent years adjacent slot machine gambling, contribute millions of dollars to Dover's economy.
Milford - has a population of 7200 is located conveniently between the Delaware ocean/bay beaches and Dover. The city was incorporated February 5, 1807.In the 1770s, a ship building industry was already flourishing on the Mispillion River. Shipbuilding continued to be the major industry of Milford through World War I, bringing considerable prosperity to the town. The high point came in 1917 when the four-masted, 174-foot (53 m) long Albert F. Paul was launched from the William G. Abbott shipyard. At one point six shipyards were operating in the downtown area. During much of the twentieth century Milford served primarily as the commercial center for much of southern Delaware's large agricultural community.