Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News Archives

When you are ready to buy or sell a home in the Greater Wilmington Delaware area, you want to work with the best. That's why I am happy to share that I've been ranked the Top Keller Williams agent in Delaware!

Choosing from over thousands of real estate agents, Real Trends takes into account both transactions and sales volume when compiling their list. Given these factors for this year's Best Real Estate Agents in America, I was ranked 3rd Best Agent in the State of Delaware and the Top Ranked Keller Williams Agent! 

So, don't work with just any agent in the Wilmington, DE area this year, work with the best. A real estate agent can accomplish so much on your behalf, whether you're buying a new home or selling your current property in Wilmington or Newark, so don't go it alone. It's always best to leave it up to the pros in order to have a smooth and less stressful real estate journey.

Below are just a few of the things a great Realtor can do for you:

• Negotiate with all parties involved— the appraiser, inspection company, title company, other agents
• Help you net up to $41K more than if you decided to forgo working with an agent
• Work as your buyer's agent for a new construction purchase
• Find you the best deal
• Use your homebuyer wish list to find your dream home 
• Create a strategy to attract homebuyers to your property
• Pique homebuyer interest online, where they first begin their home search
• Assist with relocation
• Help you find the perfect place to retire

The KG Home Team offers all of these services and more— our experience in the Greater Wilmington area is unparalleled and available to assist you in achieving your Delaware real estate goals. 

Contact us today!

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With mortgage rates this low, waiting to buy a home in Wilmington, DE no longer makes sense. In fact, did you know that buying a home is 38% less expensive than renting? It's true! Nationally, rates would have to rise to 10.6% for renting to be cheaper than buying and rates haven't been that high since 1989!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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Are you looking for a new place to call home? Consider Wilmington, Delaware! 

Located conveniently between New York City and Washington, DC, Wilmington has become a hub of culture and commerce given its low cost of living, low property taxes and ZERO sales tax! Not only is Wilmington one of the best places to live if you hate paying taxes, but it's also been ranked the 6th Most Tax-friendly State for Retirement.

The Kat Geralis Home Team with Keller Williams can get you moving this year, whether you're looking for new construction homes, investment properties, 55+ communities, or are preparing to buy your very first home. 

Last year, Keller Williams helped over 2,000 families move to a new home in Delaware and we'd be happy to help you do the same. Relocating to the area? Our team is well-versed in all things Wilmington!

Ranked the #1 Keller Williams agent in Delaware in 2013 and chosen as one of America's Best Real Estate Agents by Real Trends, I know the in's and out's of the community as well as the local market. My team of talented professionals is what drives our success and together, we have more than 50 years of combined experience to assist with your buying or selling a home in Greater Wilmington. 

Our services are a cut above when it comes to the real estate market— we are prepared to help both buyers and sellers with the following:

• New construction 
• 55+ communities
• Builder trade-in
• First-time homebuyers
• Relocation
• Short sales
• Foreclosures
• Investors
• Global Property Specialists

If you have questions about relocating to Wilmington, where to retire, or simply buying or selling a home in Delaware this year, don't hesitate to reach out! We can provide recommendations on everything from neighborhoods to local events to mortgage lenders. 

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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The blues are coming back to the Wilmington waterfront! The Riverfront Blues Festival is set to return to Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park next weekend. 

According to Delaware Today Magazine, the 3-day music festival weekend planned for this August 1 through the 3rd is the "rockin'est weekend of the year!" Rain or shine, the event is held outdoors on two stages and features some of the best blues musicians around. 

In the past, the Riverfront Blues Festival has included free harmonica lessons and free sessions with guitarist Gary Cogdell, as well as a free children's craft tent and refreshing misting tent available in the park to cool attendees during those dog days of summer. This year's event is expected to be just as successful, with the talents of treasured blues musicians Marcia Ball, James Harman and Tommy Castro gracing the Blues Festival's stages. 

Wilmington residents and visitors alike can also expect to find the following musicians on this year's Blues Festival main stage:

Friday, August 1: 
5 PM— Popa Chubby
6:45 PM— Southern Hospitality featuring the Damon Fowler Band & Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots
8:30 PM— Tommy Castro & the Painkillers

Saturday, August 2:
Noon— Jimmy Pritchard Big Band
1:30 PM— Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
3:15 PM— Carolyn Wonderland
5 PM— Paul Oscher
​6:45 PM— Kinsey Report
8:30 PM— James Harman's Bamboo Porch Revue

Sunday, August 3:
12:30 PM— Jarekus Singleton
2:30 PM— Wayne Baker Brooks Band
4:30 PM— Marcia Ball

Single day passes for the event range from $25 (online)/$35 at the gate on Friday and $30 (online)/$35 at the gate on Saturday and Sunday. Three-day Riverfront Blues Festival weekend passes can be purchased online for $75.

The Kat Geralis Home Team is happy to provide recommendations for enjoying the Wilmington and Newark, DE area, from local events to Wilmington real estate resources. If you're ready to call this great community home and relocate to Delaware, contact us today!

Ready to sell your current home and move to a new property in the area? We'd love to hear from you!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty

Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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Summer is the time to get outdoors, explore your Delaware community, slow down and visit the attractions— everything Wilmington and Newark have to offer. From spending a weekend on the Riverfront to catching a baseball game, this season will be filled with great events and something for the whole family to enjoy. This Father's Day weekend is no exception! Dad will love to catch a baseball game or take in an exhibit at the local museum, so mark these on your calendar. Below are 4 must-see events to attend with Dad this Father's Day:

Just for Dad 
Friday, June 13, 2014 through Sunday, June 15
10 AM to 3 PM
Delaware Children's Museum
Wilmington, DE

Admission to this Father's Day event is free (with general admission), held at the Delaware Children's Museum this Friday through Sunday. This is a great opportunity for kids to bring Dad out for a day of fun and create a special, one-of-a-kind Father's Day card for him. A chance to celebrate Dad and bonus, enjoy the rest of the museum this weekend!

Retro*Active Performance Art from 1964-1987
Saturday, June 14, 2014; 10 AM to 4 PM
Delaware Art Museum
Wilmington, DE

Performance art was made popular in the mid 1960's and has grown over the past few decades to include music, theater, technology, dance and most importantly, audience participation. This is an interactive event that goes hand-in-hand with the Museum's "Performance Now" showing. This historical view of performance art will be available nearly all day Saturday and involves artists like Chris Burden, Dan Graham, Joan Jonas, Paul McCarthy, Yoko Ono, and Carolee Schneemann to really showcase the movement.

Little Shop of Horrors
Friday, June 13, 2014; 8 PM to 10 PM
Wilmington Drama League
Wilmington, DE

Kick off Father's Day weekend early with a performance of Little Shop of Horrors by the Wilmington Drama League. The showing includes three musical female narrators, star-crossed lovers, and a crazy florist for one fun-filled evening. Little Shop of Horrors put on by this great local group is just the entertainment you need to segue into a relaxing weekend.

Blue Rocks vs. Carolina Mudcats
Saturday, June 14, 2014; 7:05 PM to 9:05 PM
Frawley Stadium
Wilmington, DE

What better way to spend a Dad-dedicated weekend than at a baseball game? And the local Wilmington Blue Rocks at that. Saturday is part of the "Dog Days of Summer" series, so you can bring your pup along too! Not to mention the first 1,000 fans will snag a dog-themed giveaway prize from Concord Pet Food and Purina. Baseball, pets and a night under the lights— Dad will love it!

The Kat Geralis Home Team is always here to help you learn more about the Wilmington and Newark areas, from recommendations to local happenings to buying and selling homes. Questions? We'd be happy to hear from you!
 

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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The home search is only the beginning, it's also the most important aspect of your Wilmington real estate journey. It all starts with getting a feel for price ranges and what's available in your desired neighborhoods of Newark and Wilmington, then moving on to what you like and desire in a home and finally, touring those homes to find your best fit. With these home search tips, you'll be well on your way to finding a new home this summer. First-time homebuyer? No problem! We even offer FREE first-time buyer seminars to help!

Make a Homebuyer Wishlist
One of your first tasks as a homebuyer in the Wilmington and Newark area should be to sit down and make a wish list. Establish priorities for available homes— do you want a certain number of bedrooms, but would settle for less if the home had a finished basement? Things like this all add up in the bigger picture of the Wilmington real estate market. Credit.com suggests to "make a list of the ten most important criteria for a new home. Then divide your list items equally under two categories: "top priority" and "nice to have." After you've made this list, take it with you as you search for homes. Delaware homebuyers can oftentimes get distracted when house-hunting and it's helpful to refer back to the list.

Start Your Search, Two Places
Keeping your homebuyer wish list in mind, you can start searching for properties, narrowing down by price range. Homebuyers should start their home search online, but also in person as homebuying is an emotional process that requires buyers to experience a property for themselves. Once you've made a list of available homes that interest you, then go with your Realtor to view the property up close and personal. Refer back to your homebuyer wish list and take notes while you're inside the homes. You can then go back to see what you did and did not like about each property.

Consult Your Realtor
No matter what stage of the homebuying process you're in, it's always helpful to have a real estate agent on your side. Remember, they've done this before, numerous times. If you have questions, consider your Realtor your communication hub and sounding board— every question or concern can go through them. While you may have started your home search online, know that your real estate agent has an "in" per se, their finger on the pulse of the real estate market in your community. They're a great resource for finding Wilmington, Newark homes that may have just come on the market or will be going up for sale soon. And as always, "if you discover a listing you like, you can pass it along for your agent to evaluate," adds Credit.com. "It's important to develop this partnership!"

The KG Home Team is here to help at every stage of your homebuying journey in the Wilmington, DE area. Contact us today to get started and go over homes that may meet your wish list— summer is shaping up to be an exciting time in the market, so don't delay!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
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Tax time has come and gone once again, but it will be back next year! If you're one of those people who hate paying taxes, you'll want to pay attention to the cities that offer the best "effective tax rate," or lowest amount taken for property taxes, sales tax, excise tax, and income tax. But before you pack your bags, consider this: Wilmington, Delaware is one of those cities! For those who despise paying taxes, here are just a few reasons Wilmington is the place for you:

Effective Tax Rate
Like I mentioned above, the effective tax rate is important to pay attention to for homeowners in a given city. And Delaware tops the list for most effective tax rate as this number for all of its citizens is under six percent! While it may be the second smallest state in the U.S., Delaware has no sales tax and boasts a relatively low cost of living for its residents.

Lots to Offer, Low Taxes
Wilmington could be characterized as one of those cities with the most bang for your buck. The largest city in the state, it has all of the charm of a small town and a deep history, offering residents quaint parks and gardens, but also all of the perks of a big city. Wilmington is rich in culture with attractions like the Playhouse, Grand Opera House, and Delaware Theater Company as well as many music festivals during the warmer months. What's more, the city offers all of this without the burden of a heavy tax rate.

Low Cost of Living
The low cost of living, compared to the state and U.S. as a whole, may be what drives many to build businesses and homes in Wilmington. For instance, "the median household income from 2008 to 2012 was $39,761," which is quite a bit lower than the state's $60,119," reported Credit Card Insider. "The nation's median income was $53,046, higher than Wilmington but lower than Delaware."

​Low Cost of Housing
Wilmington also has a low cost of housing— "the median value of owner-occupied housing was $179,300, which was lower than Delaware's $241,100 and the United States' median home value of $181,400," Credit Card Insider added.

Wilmington is a great place to live and its low taxes allow both residents and budding businesses to grow and succeed. Ready to call Wilmington your home too? Whether you're relocating or simply ready for a change, contact us today and we'll fill you in on the area's real estate market, plus how you can succeed in buying a home!

You can also learn more about the buying process at our FREE First Time Homebuyer Seminars! 

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
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Have you been dreaming of buying a home in Wilmington or Newark this year? Come visit us at the Homebuying Fair in Wilmington tomorrow! We'd love to chat about potential properties for sale in the local real estate market, financing your new home purchase, and answer any questions if you're a first-time homebuyer in the Wilmington area. Details on the Homebuyer Fair below:

2014 Homebuyer Fair
Saturday, April 5, 2014
8 AM to 4 PM
Chase Center on the Riverfront
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

There is no cost to attend this local real estate event and you can even enter to win prizes! The 2014 Homebuyer Fair is a great industry resource for those planning to buy Wilmington real estate this year, especially as it will feature many industry exhibitors and service providers. 

You can also expect:

• A live broadcast by TOM-FM throughout the day
• Refreshments served
• Free parking
• Door prizes
• Credit to earn towards your HUD Homebuyer Education Certificate requirements

Come on out to visit the Homebuyer Fair and chat with the Kat Geralis Home Team at Keller Williams. There will be seminars held throughout the day, presenting valuable information on finding your next home in the Wilmington area, options for financing and downpayment assistance, home inspections and so much more.

If you're ready to buy a home, we hope to see you there! Walk-ins are welcome.

We're here to help you with your homeowner goals! You can also learn more about the buying process at our FREE First Time Homebuyer Seminars! 

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

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.

When the subject of relocating for retirement comes up, most people assume the top choices are sunshine states in the far South and West. But if you do your homework, you'll find that one the top states for retirement is the "First State" - Delaware!

In fact, we have an excellent selection of Active Adult home listings on the market in Newark and Wilmington. New developments are under construction, and there's a wide range of prices and amenities for just about any budget.

Why do so many seniors and retirees choose Delaware? Here's a quick rundown that I put together from Kiplinger's recent article, along with local data:

1. There is no State or local sales tax.

2. State income tax rates are modest; highest rate is 6.75% on annual incomes over $60,000.

3. Social Security benefits are not taxed.

4. Taxpayers 60 and older can exclude $12,500 of investment and qualified pension income.

5. Homeowners 65 and older can get a credit equal to half of the school property taxes, up to $500.

6. The DE property tax rate is significantly lower than MD, NJ, PA, NY, and VA.

7. Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New York City are within an hour or two's drive; accessible without being too close to the congestion.

8. The University of Delaware offers a Higher Education for Senior Citizens program. Citizens 60 years of age or older, who are formal degree candidates, may attend classes for credit tuition free.

9. There's ample history to explore in Delaware - we've been making history since 1787!

10. Recreational opportunities abound, with ample beaches, parks, wildlife areas, golf courses, performing arts venues, dining, shopping, gaming, and more!

Don't just take my word for it - visit Delaware for yourself! If you are considering relocation, the communities of Wilmington and Newark have much to offer, and I would be happy to show them to you. You can also explore our beautiful homes for sale and compare the broader market to the unique advantages of a 55+ residential community.

As your professional Wilmington and Newark, DE real estate agent, I have the local expertise and dedication to service that will make your relocation experience a smooth transition. You can trust my professional guidance to help you find the right home within your budget, and respond to your needs!

For more information about Delaware homes and our wonderful communities, please contact me today!