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Why the Current Real Estate Climate is Perfect for Wilmington Investors!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

by Katina Geralis

The current real estate climate is, for lack of a better word, difficult. Despite record-low interest and mortgage rates, strict lending standards and higher down payments have made it much more challenging for people to buy a home. It’s no surprise, then, that July saw a major slump in existing home sales. In fact, most industry experts and analysts knew that there would be a mild recovery in sales for August, but they were shocked to see just how big of a jump there was: between July and August, there was nearly a 19% rise in existing home sales.

Many industry analysts feel that this is explained by one key factor in the current real estate market: investors. In the month of August alone, investors accounted for 22% of purchase activity. As an investor, there are several reasons you should purchase REO and foreclosure properties in order to bolster your income. As your Wilmington real estate agent, I consider it part of my job to guide Delaware’s investors in the right direction by showing them some of the best bank-owned and foreclosure properties on the Wilmington real estate market. Here are a few reasons distressed properties are desirable for investors:

The price is right. The low cost of REO and foreclosure properties make them attractive investment options. You can obtain property without breaking the bank, with the goal of seeing a sizeable return on investment. The key is to find a distressed home with potential and see what you can do with it from the get-go. The more potential you see, the easier it will be for you to profit from your investment.

Renovations greatly boost home value. Many distressed properties haven’t been maintained, aren’t up to code, or have a variety of maintenance issues. As an investor, you have the power to address these issues right away. You can make the appropriate fixes to the property, as well as give it the upgrades that will make it attractive to a potential homebuyer. The more upgraded and maintained the property, the easier it will be to sell that home for a profit. It will take investment and hard work, but the return you get will be worthwhile.

The current market climate is perfect for investors. With the influx of foreclosures in the national real estate market, it’s not just dilapidated or run-down properties that are getting foreclosed-on. In the current market, all types of homes are going through foreclosure. You can obtain a really beautiful piece of property for a low price and sell it for a sizable profit. Take advantage of the options of distressed properties available on the Wilmington real estate market! It’s a prime time to be an investor; you just need to look for the right properties to invest in.

As a well-rounded Wilmington real estate agent, I don’t just work with Delaware’s home buyers and sellers. I also work with local investors to help them find the right distressed property to maximize their profit in Wilmington, DE. If you want to see some distressed properties on the Wilmington real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d love to help you find your next big investment.

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
NextRE Team
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me

Eight Tips For a Successful Wilmington Home Search!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

by Katina Geralis

It’s a buyer’s market, and the current climate of Wilmington Delaware real estate suggests that if you’ve been thinking about buying a home in the area, now is a hot time to do so. With home prices and interest rates at record lows, now is probably the ideal time to start your Wilmington home search. That way, you can take advantage of the current, low costs and find the home that really suits you best. It’s time to start house-hunting.

With all of that being said, buying a Wilmington, DE home is far from easy. Especially if it’s your first time around the block, you can get slammed with extra feeds, stressful transactions, and sticky negotiations if you don’t have the right professional looking out for your best interests.

As a Wilmington Delaware real estate agent, I make it my responsibility to help first-time homebuyers navigate the local market by both providing quality advice and making their transaction as smooth and seamless as possible.

When you first start your Wilmington home search, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a home and make some costly errors. Follow these eight quick tips, however, and you’ll be in your brand new Wilmington, DE home in no time!

1. Research the neighborhood. It’s an old, but true, mantra: Location, Location, Location! If you don’t take the time to research a neighborhood you’re interested in, you could be in for some serious buyer’s remorse after purchase. Remember, you might find the dream home, but if it’s in a neighborhood that doesn’t suit your needs, you’ll never be fully happy. Take the time to do some research, and you’ll be much more satisfied after signing the papers.

2. Look at several houses before you buy. We’ve all heard of love at first sight, but if you use that during your home search, you could be stuck with a home that needs costly repairs or that doesn’t really fit your needs. Take the time to look and you could find a home better than you even dreamed possible. Just keep an objective eye out on every property!

3. Get a professional inspection. Even if a property is pre-inspected, it can be hard to trust that a seller is disclosing everything wrong with the house, or that the repairs they did make were done thoroughly. Investing in a professional inspection can ease your mind and insure that you’ve covered all your bases, which will make move-in day much less stressful.

4. Go after what you need, not what you want. You might love that cozy, two-bedroom home with a lot of fancy upgrades, but if your family is growing, is it really what you need? Keep your future plans in mind when you’re buying a house. If you focus on what you need instead of what you want, chances are you’ll be more satisfied with the house down the line, and you’ll be in the property for a longer time. It will create a more worthwhile investment.

5. Buying a home at auction? Never overbid. Due to the high number of foreclosures sweeping the nation, many of you may be interested in buying a home at auction. This could be a great idea, but you have to be careful not to overbid. Do your research before attending the auction and stick to the price you know is right. Many auctioneers try and push the home way over market price during auction, so don’t get sucked into that game. Know your limit and stick to it.

6. Never buy a home based on décor. Sure, that house you looked at might have nice decorations, but how will it look with your furnishings in it? Take a step back and imagine your belongings in the house. If that changes your opinion of the property, then it’s probably not the best home for you.

7. Be careful when you read real estate ads. Ad copy is meant to make a house sound amazing and grand. Their phraseology is meant to “talk up” the property. “Cozy” is probably code for small. “As-is” means you might have a lot of work to do. Learn how to read between the lines, so you can avoid wasting time by going to see houses that you’ll want nothing to do with.

8. Don’t buy the most expensive home on the block. Sure, it’s great to keep up with the community you live in, but if you surpass them, you’ll never get the same return on investment. If you buy the priciest property, you’ll find that when you put it back on the market, you won’t get what you put into the home. Try and avoid this by finding a home that is within the average price range of your community.

Buying a home is complicated, but if you stick to these eight tips when you begin your Wilmington home search, you’ll find that your satisfaction after purchase will be high. As your Wilmington real estate expert, it’s my job to educate you on the best home buying tactics for amazing results. If you’re thinking about moving to the Wilmington, DE community, or would like to see some of the homes available on the Wilmington real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d love to help you find your dream home.

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
NextRE Team
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me