Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News Archives

The holidays have officially begun in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania! You may still be making your way through Thanksgiving leftovers, but it's time to shift your focus to the holiday season ahead. Decking the halls, shopping for gifts, trimming the tree and stringing lights will all likely be on your agenda over the next few weeks, but so will the following Delaware and Pennsylvania events!

As your local real estate experts in Chester County, Delaware County PA, Newark and Wilmington DE, the Kat Geralis Home Team is happy to share the following holiday events coming up in the area:

Broadway Christmas Wonderland November 25-27, 2016; The Playhouse on Rodney Square, Wilmington DE. Hailed as one of the most enchanting Christmas shows ever, you won't want to miss this holiday performance!

A Brandywine Christmas November 25-January 8, 2017; Brandywine River Museum of Art, Chadds Ford PA. There is so much to see in this museum holiday display! From nearly 2,000 feet of train tracks to antique dolls to locally made ornaments and decorations, decorated trees and more!

A Longwood Christmas November 24-January 8, 2017; Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square PA. Here you will find stunning fountain-inspired displays in the Longwood Conservatory, in addition to holiday magic outside!

Holiday Art Market November 22-December 31, 2016; Newark Arts Alliance, Newark DE. Locally made artisans showcase their wares in this holiday market— great for gift shopping!

Holidays at Hagley November 25-January 1, 2017; Hagley Museum, Wilmington DE. Visit this local jewel of Wilmington, featuring Eleutherian Mills, the original du Pont family home decorated just for the holidays! This year's theme is "A Child's Delight."

Old Fashioned Christmas at Bellevue Mansion November 25-27, 2016, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18; Bellevue Hall, Wilmington DE. Bring your camera as holiday snapshot opportunities abound! Go back in time as you view the holiday decorated mansion, visit with Santa, listen to the storyteller, and marvel over the custom train display.

Riverfront Ice Skating November 25-February 28, 2017; Riverfront Wilmington, Wilmington DE. This family-friendly attraction is open in Wilmington all holiday season long!

Yuletide at Winterthur November 19-January 8, 2017; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Wilmington DE. Come see the home of Henry Francis du Pont dressed up for the holidays! There will be special exhibits, wine and jazz evenings and more!

Santa Claus Express November 26-December 18, 2016; Wilmington & Western Railroad's Greenbank Station, Wilmington DE. Santa will be on board this train to greet everyone, pose for pictures and give the kids a special treat!

Do not hesitate to reach out to the Kat Geralis Home Team with any questions about buying or selling a home or for more information about the current real estate market!

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Can you believe fall is just around the corner? September has just begun and before we know it, the leaves will fall and we'll be heading out to pick pumpkins, gather apples, enjoy a hay ride, build a scarecrow and other fall fun themed activities! But if you are looking for something on a larger scale, you don't need to venture much farther than Greater Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA!

The Kat Geralis Home Team has included a few fall events coming up in the area, so be sure to mark your calendars!

109th Arden Fair and Antique Market
September 3, 2016; 10 AM to 6 PM
Arden Gild Hall

Over 120 vendors with handmade arts and crafts, in addition to food vendors, a book fair, plant sale, activities and rides for the kids, dancing, live music and more! Admission is free to the fairgrounds and Shady Grove, however there is a small admission to the Antiques Market.

Odessa Brewfest
September 10, 2016
Historic Odessa Foundation

Sample the best regional and national craft beers, along with local wine, spirits, food, music and more— for a good cause! All proceeds will benefit the Historic Odessa Foundation to ensure the revitalization and preservation of the community for future generations. 

Red, White and Brew Run
September 9-11, 2016
Main Street, Phoenixville PA

Join in this 3-day festival with races in a variety of distances and courses, not to mention, great food and fun! There will be live music, running expos, the Main Street Mile race, 5K run and half marathon! Admission to the festival for non-runners is $10. 

Mushroom Festival
September 10-11, 2016
Kennett Square, PA

Celebrate Kennett Square's number one cash crop—and the Mushroom Capital of the World—with this thirty-year-old festival featuring over 200 vendors, culinary events, kids activities, exhibits and more!

​Harvest Moon Festival
September 10-11, 2016; 10 AM to 6 PM
Coatesville, PA

The Harvest Moon Festival in Chester County PA is a great time to explore a wide range of artists, creators, activities and even workshops! Dive head first into nature with this outdoor festival featuring local food, music and art!

Chaddsford Winery Harvest Fest
September 17-18, 2016; 11 AM to 7 PM Saturday and 11 AM to 6 PM Sunday
Chaddsford Winery

What better way to celebrate fall than with this festival with tastings, food, tours, live music and more? Free guided tours allow you to sample fresh pressed grapes, wine tastings are paired with hard cider donuts, and local food trucks are on site to satisfy your cravings!

Oktoberfest
September 24, 2016; 6 PM
Sacred Heart School, Oxford PA

This true Oktoberfest will include authentic German food, a German band and dancers, beer, games and even a Brewer's Contest for home brewers! 

Do not hesitate to contact the Kat Geralis Home Team with any questions about buying or selling a home this fall! We're here to help!

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

Buying a home in Greater Wilmington, Chester County and Delaware County PA can be both an exciting and overwhelming process. In fact, it's easy for buyers to get so caught up in the commotion of finding the perfect property, applying for a mortgage and securing a loan that they forget to ask their real estate agent important questions.

As your local real estate experts in Delaware and Pennsylvania, the Kat Geralis Home Team has provided five essential questions to ask your agent before buying a home— a few you may be inclined to overlook in all of the home buying hustle!

Has the home had any upgrades, major renovations or additions?
If the sellers of a home in Wilmington, Newark or the surrounding areas have made any major changes, you will want to know what they did and how much it cost them. Why? This gives you a sense of how much money they have invested into the property and how much they intend to get out of it in the sale. And before you begin to stress about having to match what they spent on the upgrades, keep in mind that return on investment varies by which renovation or upgrade was made.

What is the home's history?
Before you purchase a home, you will want to research its sales history. Find out the last time the home sold and how much it sold for in order to get an idea of what the sellers may expect a buyer to pay. However, it's also key to remember that home values are based on comparable properties and the current market which could be quite different depending on the last time the property was for sale.

How old are the major features?
Home features like the roof, furnace, A/C, plumbing and electrical are all crucial to research prior to signing on the dotted line for a home. These can all be quite costly to fix should any problems arise, so you will want to know their age and if they've been repaired or replaced recently.

What are the property taxes?
The property taxes of a home in Greater Wilmington DE, Chester County and Delaware County PA can make a big impact on your mortgage payment— so budget accordingly! Take into account what the sellers paid, but also remember that these are based on the value of the home which could be affected by your ultimate purchase price.

How much are the monthly maintenance fees?
If you're looking into buying a townhouse, condominium or single-family home in a homeowners association, take the time to research their monthly fees. You can also ask the sellers in advance what the average utility bills look like in order to factor them into your budget.

Wondering what else you're forgetting to ask when house-hunting in Delaware and Pennsylvania? Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call! We will ensure all of your questions are met and you are prepared with all of the necessary information to avoid any later hiccups in the homebuying process.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

No matter where you live—Greater Wilmington, Chester County or Delaware County PA—summer is often a busy time to move to a new home. The weather is ideal, mortgage rates are still low, the kids are out of school and you can settle into your new property before the fall season starts. 

However, with moving also comes waves of excitement and nerves that can cause you to forget a few things along the way (more than just an extra box or two!). You can count on the Kat Geralis Home Team to make sure your moving process is as stress-free as possible— take the following five steps into consideration as you plan out your move to a new home in Wilmington or Newark DE or Southeastern PA this summer:

Clean the carpets
You never know what kind of dust, dirt or pet dander has accumulated in your new home's carpets over the years, so take the time to clean them thoroughly. You can rent a steam cleaner and do the work yourself or hire a professional and pay around $50 per room. It's worth it to know you're starting fresh in your new space!

Change locks and label keys
Can you imagine how many people have been given a key to your home over the years? Friends and neighbors are just a few! You will want to change the locks as quickly as you can once you've moved into your new home— either installing the new bolts yourself relatively inexpensively or hiring a locksmith who will charge you labor per lock. 

Clean out your cabinets
Depending on how long the previous homeowner lived in the house, you may find residue from cleaning products, food, and even evidence of critters. You will want to do this prior to putting any of your belongings in the cabinets as if there is an animal that has taken up residence in your home, you'll want to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

Find the main water shut-off
Should you ever go out of town for a long period of time or need to turn off the water due to a leak or repair of any kind, you'll need to know where your main water shut-off valve is. If your home inspector hasn't already pointed it out and labeled it for you, take the time to do so yourself and avoid the headache later.

Find the circuit breakers
During a power outage or in the case of replacing light fixtures or bulbs, you will need to flip the circuit breakers to specific rooms and outlets. Find your circuit breakers as soon as possible once you have the keys to your new home and make sure each breaker works properly. Have a partner stand in various areas of your home while you flip the labeled breakers to double check that is indeed the room they belong to— if not, re-label them for future reference.

There is a lot to remember when it comes to moving into a new home in Greater Wilmington, Chester County or Delaware County PA, but with the Kat Geralis Home Team on your side, you can rest easy! Give us a call today for more information on available homes in the area, selling your current property or purchasing a new home!

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

For those gearing up to buy a home in Greater Wilmington or Southeastern Pennsylvania, the down payment may be the one factor that's slowing down your momentum. However, the days of 20 percent down or no deal are gone! Homebuyers today can purchase a home with as little as 3 to 5 percent down— cutting down on the time it will take to save.

But if you're still worried about how you can possibly save enough to buy your dream home in Wilmington or Newark, Chester County or Delaware County PA, the KG Home Team has provided a few ideas! Consider the following four ways you can save for a down payment this year:

Cut out your daily coffee trip
Do you make a trip to the coffee shop every day before work? Or do you rely on a coffee pick-me-up in the afternoons? Simply cutting out this seemingly inexpensive habit can have a big impact on your down payment savings. With the average price of a latte around $3.50 and paying for coffee every work day, you are spending almost $1,000 a year!

Why not take the amount you would spend and open a down payment savings? At the end of the year, you could be well on your way to purchasing a home!

Cut out your gym membership
While you're saving for a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania, you might like to consider cutting out your expensive gym membership. There are always ways you can keep up on your fitness outside of the gym as you're preparing to become a homeowner! For example, with the average cost of a gym membership around $50 per month, you could save around $600 toward your next home!

Cut your cable package
One of the priciest monthly expenses you may have is your cable package. The average monthly cable bill can total $100, which means you could be spending close to $1,200 alone on TV! Think of what that amount could add to your down payment savings!

Cut your daily lunch expense
If every day around lunch time has you heading to a nearby restaurant or take-out spot with co-workers, you might want to think twice. Spending an average of $11 per day on lunch, 5 days per week, adds up to $2,860 per year! 

Adding each of these together, you could have a down payment quicker than you thought and be ready to purchase a home as early as next year or even the next few months! Do not hesitate to give the ​KG Home Team a call with any questions you have about buying a home in the Wilmington or Newark areas, Chester County or Delaware County PA!

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

While we are all eagerly awaiting the start of summer in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania, now is the time to finally consider moving up to your dream home. The current market conditions have created the perfect environment for DE and PA buyers to make a move, especially as they are not expected to last for the rest of the year.

If you've been thinking about buying a larger home this year, here are three reasons to consider moving up now instead of waiting:

Prices will continue to rise
You may have noticed around Wilmington, Newark, Chester County and Delaware County that home prices are on the rise— and they are not expected to slow down any time soon. According to a new report, home values are predicted to appreciate by 5.3 percent just one year from now. If you have a home to sell in Delaware or Pennsylvania, now is the time to list or you could risk pricing yourself out of your potential dream home.

Mortgage rates are at historic lows
To the benefit of DE and PA buyers, mortgage rates—now hovering below 4 percent—have not been this low in years. It is important to keep in mind that any rise in rates will have an impact on your future mortgage payment and therefore, it is better to act while they are still at historic lows. In fact, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the National Association of Realtors and Mortgage Bankers Association are predicting a rate hike over the next year, so don't wait!

Inventory is low, but traffic is high
Housing inventory is much lower than it has been in the past, but that does not mean there is any shortage of buyers in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Buyer demand is said to be at its highest peak in years, with the number of home sales in March (sold in under 30 days) higher than any month since last July. Listing your home now to move up to your dream home could allow you to sell quickly and settle into your new property before you know it.

The KG Home Team is consistently ranked one of the top Realtors in the state and we are here to put our experience to work for you! Contact us today to discuss selling your current home and available properties in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Homebuyers in today's real estate market may have fewer properties to choose from than they have in the past, but they do have two important choices— existing home or new construction. Existing, as you may have guessed, are lived-in homes while new construction offers the option to be the first owner, occupant and at times, choose your own fixtures and features.

New construction homes are growing increasingly more appealing to buyers in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania, but many do not know the first place to start. As your local real estate expert in Wilmington and Newark DE, Chester County and Delaware County PA, I am sharing three things to keep in mind if you're considering a brand-new home this year:

1. New construction homes are not always listed
Finding homes for sale in Delaware and Pennsylvania can be done easily online, but know that new construction properties are not always listed in the MLS. If you are interested in a new home, it is best to work with your real estate agent to gather all possible options that may not be present via a home search.

2. Builders do not have an attachment to the properties
A home seller in an existing property often has lived there for many years and has dozens of memories tied to the place. As a result, you may find that the home price is too high or other questions or issues come up when working with the owner, simply because they are not ready to let it go or are having a hard time doing so. 

With new construction homes, there is no emotional attachment to the property. In fact, your financial situation and negotiations on behalf of your agent are all that the builder (or sales rep) will focus on when selling.

3. Discounts may be available
Your real estate agent will know how—and if— you can negotiate discounts when purchasing a new construction home in Wilmington or Newark DE, Chester County or Delaware County PA. For instance, discounts may be available to buyers that get into contract early on in the sales process or at the end, when upgrade packages can be worked into the deal. 

If you're interested in buying a new construction home this year, the KG Home Team is on your side! We will work on your behalf, with your best interests in mind— unlike buyers who work directly with a builder. Contact us today for more information on available properties and the current real estate market. 

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

Whether you're relocating to the Greater Wilmington area for work or simply ready to move to a new home, there are dozens of factors that help to determine the location of your next home. And as the spring real estate market begins to heat up in Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania, you will want to make sure you cover all of your bases before deciding on a property.

Below are four factors that Wilmington DE, Chester County and Delaware County PA homebuyers will need to look into further before purchasing a home in a given neighborhood:

Crime statistics
In your home search in Greater Wilmington, you may have found a home that looks perfect— but how much do you really know about the area? It's important to research crime statistics before falling in love with a property and lucky for buyers, it's relatively easy to do. Local government websites typically keep a crime database where residents can look into crimes on a specific street or in a specific area. You can also break the crimes down by type so you can determine the seriousness of each. 

School districts
Homebuyers with children will be increasingly concerned about the school district a Delaware or Pennsylvania home falls into. Compare homes across school districts and keep in mind that those in great districts tend to appreciate faster and could help you sell quickly in the future.

Property taxes
Before you decide to purchase a home in Wilmington, you will need to consider all factors surrounding the property, including property taxes. Include down payment, closing costs, and annual property taxes into your budget to get a better idea of how much home you can afford. It is also wise to compare property taxes in different areas to see how they differ and which realistically fit into your price range.

Your credit score
We've mentioned in the past the importance of your credit score when buying a home. For instance, the better the score, the better the loan terms and lower mortgage rate you may be able to secure. As you search for homes in Delaware and Pennsylvania, especially keeping certain neighborhoods in mind, decide if you will need to raise your score to keep your mortgage both affordable and attainable. Sooner is always better when it comes to improving your credit score!

Do you have questions about which neighborhood might be the best fit for you? The KG Home Team has years of expertise in helping Wilmington, Chester County and Delaware County PA buyers find the best home and we are happy to help!

Give us a call today!

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

The official beginning of spring is now just a week away and the weather is gradually getting warmer in Greater Wilmington and the surrounding Brandywine Valley. This is the time of year many Chester County and Delaware County PA area residents begin to think spring and head outside to both enjoy the weather and what the local communities have to offer.

Lucky for us, the Greater Wilmington area has dozens of spring-centered events planned for the coming weeks and as your local real estate experts, we're happy to share a few of them with you!

Spring Wine Festival
March 19-20, 2016; 12 PM to 6 PM
Chaddsford Winery
Chadds Ford, PA

Complimentary treats, live music, food trucks, wine and garden demonstrations are ready to be enjoyed at this festival celebrating the start of spring!

Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood
Through March 27, 2016; 9 AM to 5 PM
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA

With over 5,000 orchids in various arrangements and forms, the Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens is a uniquely spring event! You can find the popular orchid meadow, large orchid baskets, an oncidium waterfall display and this month, the rare sky-blue poppies in bloom!

Newark Annual Egg Hunt
March 19, 2016; 10 AM
White Clay Creek State Park
Newark DE

Newark's annual egg hunt begins at 10 AM this Saturday! The Walking- 2 years old category and 3 and 4 years old category both at 10 AM, 5 and 6 years old category and 7 to 9 years old category at 10:30 AM. Admission is $4 for Delaware vehicles, $8 for out of state.

Easter Bunny Express
March 19-26, 2016; 11 AM to 4 PM
Greenbank Station
Wilmington DE

Come aboard the train for a 1 1/2 hour round-trip ride to Ashland with the Easter Bunny! Trains depart at 12:30 and 2:30 and all kids get a special treat and picture with the Easter Bunny.

Chester County Antiques Show
April 1-3, 2016
The Phelps School
Malvern, PA

The Chester County Antiques Show is now in its 34th year, benefiting the Chester County Historical Society. The show attracts numerous visitors and vendors alike every year to view and display the show's furniture and antique items. This year's theme is Tomfoolery!

If you have questions about moving to Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania this year, do not hesitate to give the KG Home Team a call! Our team has been named a 5 Star Real Estate Agent over and over again and we are here to put our expertise to work for you!

Happy spring!

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