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5 Delaware and Pennsylvania Real Estate Reality TV Myths

Thursday, December 20, 2018
by Katina Geralis

Now that it's winter in Delaware and Pennsylvania, we're all staying indoors a little more and perhaps you're even watching a few real estate reality TV shows— we've all seen a few by now! As these shows grow in popularity, it's important to keep in mind that not everything you see on your screen is actually reality. Much of what takes place is staged and filmed in a much shorter timeline and as your local real estate experts in DE and PA, we've included a much needed reality check for you below!

Myth: Buyers only choose from 3 homes
In nearly every reality TV show based on homebuyers, there are typically three homes toured before the buyer makes a decision and chooses one. While there may be a small percentage of buyers that truly buy one of the first few homes they see in Delaware and Pennsylvania, remember that the average homebuyers tours at least 10 homes during their search, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Myth: The show takes place in real time
It may seem unrealistic that the homebuyers can go through the entire buying process, from search to closing, within a 30-minute time slot and that's because, it is. Real estate reality shows often follow buyers who are farther along in the process and have already chosen a home to buy, in an attempt to speed up the process for viewers.

Myth: These homes are still for sale
As mentioned above, real estate reality shows are often filmed months in advance of their air date. So  if you've spotted a home that you love on your favorite show, keep in mind that unfortunately many of the homes shown are already sold and off the market. The properties are staged for TV for the "home search" phase.

Myth: Your home will sell at the open house
Many times homeowners on TV will hold an open house and then choose from the dozens of offers that result from the traffic. Please remember that just as many homes sell from regular showings and if you hold one, your property may not hook a buyer from the first open house. This is just a small piece of the puzzle when marketing Delaware and Pennsylvania homes.

Myth: Removing a wall is easy
Every homeowner today wants an open concept floor plan and thus, real estate reality shows typically show demo teams knocking down walls to make it happen. In reality, removing walls may not always been in your budget or even possible for your specific home. If the wall is load-bearing, there is much more structural work that comes into play and that can be more costly than you think!

Don't get too caught up in real estate reality TV myths if you're a new homebuyer in Delaware or Pennsylvania! It's always wise to consult the pros first! Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today for more information about next steps in the buying process or for a list of available homes.

We even offer FREE First-Time Homebuyer Seminars!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Homes for Sale
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5 Things Not to Overlook When Buying a Delaware or Pennsylvania Home

Thursday, July 6, 2017
by Katina Geralis

When shopping for a home in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania, you likely have a long list of must-haves to check off of your list. Examining everything from the number of bedrooms to the yard size becomes a priority and it is easy to overlook other important features like the resale value or even your commute time. 

As your local real estate experts in Wilmington DE and Newark DE, the Kat Geralis Home Team has included five things you will not want to overlook as you prepare to buy a home this year:

Resale value
Even though you're looking at homes for right now, it's important to look ahead for the purposes of resale value. If there is a feature of the house that doesn't bother you, but may bother another homeowner, you will want to decide if you're willing to fix it (and the costs) or if it will potentially affect your resale. 

Neighborhood at night
You may love the neighborhood a certain property in Greater Wilmington DE is in, but what about what the area looks like in the morning or at night? What is the noise like once everyone is home from work and school? Is there more traffic noise at a specific time you will need to consider? If you're interested in a home, visit at all hours of the day to get a good idea of what you'd be buying into.

Commute time
Buying a home in a new location of Chester County or Delaware County PA means the distance to your workplace may be longer. Before you jump into the mortgage application process and commit to a new property, factor in how long it will take you to get to work each day.

Bedrooms to bathrooms
The number of bedrooms in a new home in Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania is likely one of the first things you check for, but you'll also want to look into the number of bathrooms. Many bedrooms and one single bathroom could be problematic for families— or if you host guests often, you may want a powder bath available to keep your own bathroom private.

Room to grow
As I mentioned above with resale value, homebuyers should always be thinking one step ahead. Consider how much space a potential home has for your growing family or if you may need more storage in the future. The last thing you want to overlook is a lack of space and find you have to move sooner than you had hoped.

Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today for more information about homes for sale in Greater Wilmington Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
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When to Adjust Your Greater Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA Home Search

Thursday, October 13, 2016
by Katina Geralis

It is not uncommon for first-time homebuyers, or even seasoned Delaware and Pennsylvania buyers, to become frustrated in their home search. Perhaps you're having a hard time finding exactly what you want in a property or are finding that you're missing out on properties that hit the market and are quickly sold. What is a buyer to do? Adjust your search!

The Kat Geralis Home Team has helped numerous buyers through their search and ultimately land upon their dream home in Wilmington, Newark, Chester County and Delaware County PA. Below are five ways in which you may need to adjust your home search if you start to find the process challenging.

Reconsider the neighborhood
If you've been looking in the same neighborhood for some time, but are not having luck finding the perfect home in your price range, it's unlikely that it will pop up in the near future. Or if it does, you may face serious competition among other buyers. It may be worth expanding your home search to other select neighborhoods to see if an ideal property is available. 

Reconsider doing work to the home
Many buyers today are looking for turn-key homes that require minimal work. However, it may be the case that your price range does not allow for a newly-renovated home. Be open to looking at homes that require a little TLC. You may find that a fresh coat of paint, new flooring or even new appliances can make a world of difference. 

Reconsider your timeline
With low mortgage rates, buyers may be feeling pressure to move up their home purchasing timeline. But don't be too quick to make a move on a home you aren't completely in love with or one that doesn't exactly meet your needs. If you don't feel like things are going well in your search, it may be worth saving for another year and then buying. 

Get creative with financing
Oftentimes it's the down payment that is holding Wilmington DE buyers back from their ideal home or target price point. Consider getting creative with the financing options available to you— perhaps down payment assistance, special loan services from your lender or even gifted funds from a family member. If you find the perfect home, but are just a small percentage of a down payment away, it is worth exploring.

Discuss compromise
Throughout the homebuying process, it is common for couples to disagree on what they want in a home. One person may want a large yard, while the other finds an updated kitchen a necessity. If you are unable to find a home that meets both of your requirements, you may want to have a conversation and discuss what you are willing to compromise on in order to find the best fit.

If you feel your home search is not leading you to your dream home in Delaware or Pennsylvania, do not hesitate to contact the Kat Geralis Home Team! We are here to help you find the best property for your wants and needs!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
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