Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News Archives

The real estate markets in Delaware and Pennsylvania are showing signs of pent-up demand as both states get back to business.

Home buyers in particular are raring to go! 2020 online home viewing activity has been "hot" in Northeast Delaware and Southeast Pennsylvania, according to national data aggregators.

This is great news for home sellers, but it signals a highly-competitive market for home buyers! During the past few years, the supply of homes for sale in DE and PA has been well behind the level of demand. Last year, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro saw listings decline 26.3% from the prior year. Home prices in the Philadelphia metro surged as a result. 

Today, home buyers are eager to take advantage of historically-low mortgage interest rates, just as homeowners are still feeling out the market. To be successful, DE and PA home buyers need to do five things:

1. Have their home financing in order, with a pre-approval letter in hand. We can refer you to excellent mortgage lenders in the area!

2. Work with a real estate professional who can supply new listings promptly.

3. Know their priorities in a home and stay focused during the search. 

4. Be willing to cast their net a little wider, and consider different neighborhoods.

5. Be patient, and stay in the market!

As your Delaware and Pennsylvania real estate experts, the Kat Geralis Home Team is happy to help you with your home buying journey! Contact us today!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Homes for Sale
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The pandemic has changed the way Delaware and Pennsylvania real estate is being handled, but home buyers and home sellers can still prepare for the market! The first thing to keep in mind is that "essential business" definitions and restrictions vary by state.

Currently, Delaware real estate agents are permitted to work from home, but realty offices are not open to the public.

We can, however, perform in-person home showings for Delaware residents looking at Delaware homes. We can do necessary activities to complete transactions that were started before COVID-19 orders were enacted. We can also take new Delaware listings and market them for sale!

There are restrictions concerning working with out-of-state buyers. If you do not currently reside in Delaware, you can only view a Delaware home through a virtual tour or other online method. There are also restrictions for how home appraisals, home inspections and closings can be performed.

In short, real estate transactions in Delaware are carrying on, though the method of doing business has been adjusted. Restrictions are currently scheduled to stay in place until May 15, 2020, or until the State of Delaware declares them lifted. Contact us for more information!

In Pennsylvania, real estate has not been deemed an "essential business," and as such, only home sales that went under contact before March 18 could be completed. As of May 8, the Governor of Pennsylvania relaxed restrictions on 24 counties in the state, but this largely affects the northwest and north-central regions. Guidelines for real estate operations are an evolving topic. 

Home buyers and home sellers in Delaware and Pennsylvania should contact us for current information about their options! We can help you prepare for the market, and depending on the business rules for your area, we can help you get started with your real estate plans. 

Contact the Kat Geralis Home Team today!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
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Looking for family events during the holidays? You don't have to go far to find holiday fun in Wilmington or Newark! Here are a few suggestions for you!

Enjoy a free screening of three cherished, animated holiday classics at the Theatre at Nemours, Saturday December 1st! The show starts at 11:00 a.m. and features A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. While the presentation is free, registering for complimentary tickets is recommended to save your seat. Get there early and enjoy the show!

Don't miss Winterfest in Newark, Friday December 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! This hometown holiday tradition includes caroling, hot chocolate, carriage rides and a tree lighting ceremony. Rumor has it that Santa himself is going to be there! There will be storytelling in the children's area of Barnes and Nobles.

See the splendor of the 28th Annual Holiday House Tour, Saturday December 8th! 10 Wilmington homes will be artfully decorated for public touring. There will also be displays by 12 talented regional artisans at the museum, with hand-crafted items available for purchase. Tickets required, see the website for details.

There's more going on, but this will get you started! As your professional Wilmington and Newark, DE real estate agent, I'm happy to share community events with you. Wilmington and Newark have a lot to offer and these events are just a small sample.

When you are ready to buy or sell a home, I'll be here to help you! You can trust my professional guidance to make your home buying or selling experience smooth and efficient. For more information about Delaware homes and our wonderful communities, please contact me today!

The University of Delaware employs over 4,000 people, including faculty and hourly staff. Newark, DE benefits by the economic and cultural contributions that the University of Delaware provides to the community.

There is a consistent demand for homes near campus from a wide range of buyers.

The area attracts relocation buyers, retirees, and commuters who are drawn to Newark's college-town charm.

There are several Newark, DE neighborhoods worth your consideration, and I'm going to introduce you to one of them here! If home value and proximity to campus are among your priorities, consider the established neighborhood of Arbour Park.

Bordered by the Delaware Turnpike, Elkton Road and falling just shy of the Christiana Parkway, Arbour Park is a short distance away from the University of Delaware Stadium, the David M. Nelson Athletic Complex, and the Allen Biotechnology Lab.

Arbour Park is only minutes away from downtown Newark and the Christiana Mall. Commuters have access to Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Jersey. There are also large public parks in the neighborhood, such as Iron Hill Park and Rittenhouse Park.

What about the homes? Glad you asked! Homes in this area of Newark have a variety of age and construction, but are generally well-maintained. Median home prices are running right around $292,000.

To find out more about Newark, DE and the Arbour Park neighborhood, contact me! Being UD alumni myself, I am very familiar with this area. As your Newark and Wilmington real estate professional, I will help you find the best home in the right price range.

Ready to look at Delaware homes for sale, or just have a few questions? Contact me for neighborhood price trends, recent sales, and expert guidance in today's fast-changing real estate market.

After going through a foreclosure, short sale or personal bankruptcy, you may doubt your ability to qualify for another mortgage in the future. After all, getting a mortgage is more difficult than it used to be, even for those who never experienced one of these circumstances. If you've had a foreclosure, will you ever be able to buy another home in Delaware?

In a word - yes! The housing market decline affected an unprecedented number of homeowners. It simply doesn't make sense for mortgage lenders to bar people forever. In cases where the foreclosure, short sale or personal bankruptcy was beyond your control, it's only fair to earn consideration after a reasonable period of time. The Wall Street Journal recently published examples of loan types and waiting periods, which I'm sharing here!

In the case of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be eligible for a new FHA mortgage in 1 to 2 years, after the bankruptcy has been completed. After the bankruptcy, you'll  need to show good credit and a strong work history, and have funds for a down payment. FHA loans usually require as little as 3.5% down, though a lender may ask you for more to strengthen your loan application.

If you once had an FHA-backed mortgage, but experienced a foreclosure or short sale, you will need to wait at least 3 years before being eligible for another FHA loan. It's important to show good credit and work history after such events, and have enough money down to qualify.

If you had a mortgage backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, and experienced a short sale or foreclosure, you may be waiting up to 7 years before you are found eligible for another such loan. Because so many new mortgages are currently packaged  for sale to these entities on the secondary mortgage market, you can expect some hurdles no matter what type of mortgage you had before.

Will there be questions, extra paperwork and larger down payments required? Possibly. The most important thing to remember is that you can recover from a foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy and buy a home again. You just need to stabilize your income, set aside some money, and pay your bills on time, consistently. From there it's a matter of letting time heal the credit wounds.

As your professional Wilmington and Newark, DE real estate agent, I can refer you to reputable lenders who can examine your situation and prepare you for future homeownership. And when you're ready to look at homes for sale in Wilmington or Newark, my professional guidance will help you find the right home within your budget!

Because I have experience in short sales and foreclosures, I always take the time to counsel my clients and keep their best interests at heart. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Wilmington or Newark, I'll be here to help you! Please contact me today!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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A recent survey by Redfin examined home seller moods in 20 metros, including Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD. The survey targeted homeowners who would like to sell their home, but have not entered the market.

Here are a few insights from the would-be home sellers:

• 80% believe home prices will be higher in 1 or 2 years.
• 13% believe now is a good time to sell a home.
• 49% are concerned about today's economy.
• 32% intend to list their home for more than the market suggests.

However, 61% of the respondents believe that now is a good time to buy a home!

This is where a bit of logic has to be realized; you can't expect to get top dollar for your home next year, while paying today's prices on your next home. You must also consider the escalating scale of closing costs, commissions and taxes, along with possible changes to mortgage interest rates and economic conditions.

Trying to time the market is not a valid strategy for selling your home. Nor will you get top dollar by pricing your home above the market. Tactics like these tend to backfire!

If you are a homeowner in Wilmington or Newark, when should you sell your home?

• When you need to sell. This could be due to a personal hardship, life event, or circumstance.
• When you want to sell. Reasons like wanting a larger home, moving closer to family, or a new job.

It isn't wrong to make a profit on the sale of your home; but it's wise to make sure your expectations are based on market facts, not speculation. Also, your reasons for selling will direct your sense of urgency and therefore your marketing strategies. This is where I come in!

As your professional Wilmington and Newark, DE real estate agent, I understand that selling your home is a personal decision. This is why I provide professional guidance with compassion, so that you can make intelligent, informed choices about your next move!

It all starts with a simple phone call. Let me know your home selling goals, and I'll tell you how I can help. From there, we do a comparative market analysis and talk about numbers. Any decision to sell, or stay, is yours to make.

Remember too, my experience in short sales and foreclosures can help you if you are struggling with your mortgage. It's never too early to talk to me, so please contact me today with any questions you may have!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
Find me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter