Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News Archives

When it comes to winter weather, the shorter days and colder temperatures may make for cozy evenings, but inside your home, it can make your Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA spaces feel darker and smaller than necessary. However, there are dozens of ways to bring more light into your home and help it feel just as cheery as in the spring.

Below are five ways to brighten up your Delaware or Pennsylvania home in the winter:

Take off the screens
Did you know you can let in 30 percent more light when you remove the screens from your windows? If your windows are still sporting them, store them until spring and let the sunshine pour in your home! But don't let them go far— you'll want to put them back in a few months to avoid running your cooling system too much. 

Trim back landscaping
Outside your home, overgrown landscaping and trees can quickly take up prized window space. Set aside a few hours to trim back any hedges, shrubs, or trees that could be blocking light from streaming inside your DE or PA home.

Replace light bulbs
Dim light bulbs can tend to cast a yellow hue over your indoor spaces, creating the illusion of smaller, darker spaces. Replace your older bulbs with energy-efficient models and opt for the cool white tone or blue white tone to help your home feel brighter and more open.

Refresh the paint
If you have rich, deep colors on your walls, the winter weather and shorter daylight hours will do no favors for the spaces. Consider refreshing the paint and choosing a lighter, more neutral tone like beiges, grays, or white to create a more airy feel.

Clean your windows
You may not have thought of this one, simple tip, but dirty windows can easily darken a home. It is only necessary to clean the glass outside of your home once per year, but inside, you should clean windows at least once a month to avoid blocking any light. 

Ready to move on to a new Delaware or Pennsylvania home in 2018? Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today for more information about available properties, selling your home, and your home value!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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Tis the season to sell your Delaware or Pennsylvania home! In my last blog post, I shared Staging Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays and while it can indeed be a great move to list this time of year, you'll want to make sure you are following what NOT to do during the holidays as well.

Below are five things not to do during the holidays if you plan to sell your Wilmington, Newark, or Southeastern PA home:

Do Not: Put up damaging decorations
It's exciting to deck the halls and turn your home into a magical winter wonderland, but if you can, avoid doing so with damaging decorations. Anything that can leave marks or holes on your walls, scuff the floors, rip the carpet, even leave scratches on the ceiling should be avoided. These are easy to spot as a homebuyer and they will take note when the arrive to view your home.

Do Not: Go into holiday debt
As you're buying gifts this holiday season, pay close attention to your budget and your wallet. When the time comes to move into a new home and take on a new mortgage, lenders will not want to see a mountain of debt that you acquired during the holidays. Keep your future mortgage approval in mind as you shop and avoid racking up those credit card bills.

Do Not: Display large gifts
If you plan to give (or receive!) any large gifts this holiday season, it's best to keep them in storage until after your home sells— or at least when buyers may be present. These large gifts can take up valuable space in your home that make the property feel smaller and more cluttered. Keep clear paths and try to create the illusion of an open, airy space if possible.

Do Not: Buy a new pet
Everyone wants a new pet for the holidays, but when you take into account playful paws that can do damage to your home, as well as potty-training, it may be best to wait until you arrive in your new home. As a Delaware or Pennsylvania home seller, you could just be creating more work for yourself in having to cover up stains, odors, and clean up hair to impress buyers. 

Do Not: Buy for your current home
Home-related gifts are great options for the holidays, but be sure not to buy for your current home. Big ticket items like furniture or appliances should be purchased with your new home in mind, or you could wind up with something you may have to sell or replace when the time comes to move. 

Ready to sell your Delaware or Pennsylvania home and move on for the new year? Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today! You can also download our FREE e-Guide!

Happy holidays!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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Selling your Delaware or Pennsylvania home during the holidays can be a lucrative move— if you pay close attention to important factors like pricing and of course, staging. Staging your property is one of the many elements that can help you to sell both quickly and for top dollar and as a seller in today's market, it is certainly something you won't want to skip over!  

As your local real estate experts in the Greater Wilmington and Southeastern PA area, we have included a few tips below for selling and staging your home during the holidays— so be sure to read before you begin to deck the halls!

Match your decorations to the style of your home
Keep your home's decor consistent during this time of year to create a cohesive vibe for homebuyers. For instance, if you have a more traditional home, keep the decor simple, classic, and elegant. If you have a more modern home, bring in modern decor and stick to a minimalist color palette. 

Try not to be too personal
The holidays do evoke nostalgia, as well as family memories you may have made in your home, but it's important to not be too personal when it comes to decor. You can still deck the halls with your favorite ornaments, lights, and the like, but try to save the "Baby's First Christmas" photos and "World's Best Mom" items for the next holiday in your new home. Remember that buyers want to be able to envision themselves in the home, so it's best to create a neutral space without overly personal decor. 

Skip the lawn ornaments
You may love your inflatable Frosty that sits on your front lawn, but today's buyers are easily turned off by loud, garish holiday decor. After all, they may not be able to focus on the exterior of the home itself if they are distracted by glittering reindeer, life-size snow globes, and flashing lights. Pass on the lawn ornaments this year and keep it simple with white lights.

Keep holiday cards organized
Stringing up your holiday cards in a garland-style across your kitchen is a fun holiday pastime, but not when you're selling your home. Keep holiday cards organized by storing them in a drawer or in a basket if you're trying to impress buyers.

Light a fire
Selling your home during the holidays can be a smart move as this tends to be a highly emotional time of year. Buyers are looking for a home where they can begin their own holiday traditions, host gatherings, or watch their family making memories— create a cozy feeling by lighting a fire if you have a fireplace or making sure the property is warm when they come in from the cold.

Ready to move on to begin the new year in a new Delaware or Pennsylvania home? Contact the Kat Geralis Home Team today for more information about next steps and finding your home value! 

Happy holidays!

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 you decide to sell your home in Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania, you begin to dream about how much profit you can make and moving to your next location. However, there is one figure you'll need to determine before you can make those dreams a reality— your home value.

It is not uncommon for homeowners to over-estimate how much their property might be worth, so as your local real estate experts, the Kat Geralis Home Team has put together a few tips that can help you determine just that.

Comparable properties
One of the first places to look to help find your home value is a list of comparable properties in the area. Look at homes that have a similar square footage to yours or those with the same types of features. Even if you think your home is better than the one down the street, you'll need to consider if it has a larger footprint, updates that yours doesn't have, or more bathrooms as these can add significant value. 

Home improvements
Have you made any recent improvements to your Chester County or Delaware County home? They could make a big impact on your home value— or not add as much as you thought. Know that there are some updates that don't add as much value as others at resale so it is always wise to consider ROI (return on investment) prior to completing projects. If you are unsure if a certain update will boost your value, you are welcome to consult your real estate agent!

Location
There is a reason "location, location, location" is a real estate mantra. Factors in your area like the schools, proximity to entertainment, parks, commute times, neighbors, and of course, a sense of community can all either help or hinder your home value. 

Age of the home
Your home's condition and the age of the property can also influence how much it may be worth. Oftentimes, homes deemed "historic" and newer properties tend to be worth more than others. The aforementioned factors do play a big role in finding your home's worth, but typically as homes age, their value lessens.

There are many ways for you to determine the value of your Greater Wilmington or Southeastern Pennsylvania home and it is helpful to have an idea of what you might be working with prior to listing the property. Remember, it's best to put on your home seller hat and set aside your emotional ties to the property to find a realistic price.

Curious about your Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania home value? Contact the Kat Geralis Home Team today to find out!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
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As you may have heard by now, the real estate market has much less inventory than it has in past years. We even shared in our last market stats post that inventory for Q2 of 2017 was standing around a 3.9 months supply— a 21 percent decrease from the previous year. But does that mean you should shy away from listing your Wilmington DE or Southeastern PA home this fall? No! 

The real estate market could use your home and if you've been thinking about selling, below are the top tips for a successful sale during this time of year:

Clean up the yard
This time of year, the leaves have started to change and fall and may be cluttering up your yard. Take the time to rake all of the debris currently in your yard to make a nice impression on potential buyers who may drive by or arrive for a showing.

Ramp up curb appeal
Curb appeal helps to create cozy, welcoming feelings in Wilmington DE or Newark DE buyers, so start with your front door! Add seasonal mums on either side and consider adding a subtle fall wreath to welcome buyers inside.

Warm up the house
When the weather begins to turn cold, you'll want to make sure that your Delaware or Pennsylvania home is warm for buyers. Turn up the heat to allow for a comfortable temperature inside and consider painting your living room walls a neutral, warm color to appeal to buyers.

Clean the fireplace
If your Southeastern PA home has a fireplace, this time of year is the perfect window to show it off! Gas fireplaces can be lit when buyers arrive, but if your wood-burning fireplace hasn't been cleaned, now is your opportunity to call the professionals and have it ready for the colder months ahead.

Turn on the lights
Buyers today are looking for natural light in properties, but if your home lacks a wealth of windows, you can still create that illusion by turning on all of the lights. Especially as it begins to get darker earlier, make sure all of the lights are on for buyers so the home feels warmer, more open, and of course, friendlier. 

Do not hesitate to contact the Kat Geralis Home Team with any questions about selling your home this fall or which steps you should take to list your home. We're here to help!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
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Now that we’re in the midst of summer, the real estate market has seen a rapid increase in buyer demand! Buyers are out in droves in Greater Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania, ready to find their dream homes, however they are also being met with limited inventory. How do you know what the market is like in your area? You can always count on the Kat Geralis Home Team to keep you updated with how the current real estate market in Wilmington, Newark, Chester County, Delaware County, New Castle County and beyond is behaving. Just take a look at the following statistics!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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With buyer demand soaring and inventory still trending lower, the ball is in the seller's court in the local Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA real estate market. But that doesn't mean you can simply place a "For Sale" sign in your yard and the offers will begin to pour in. There are several mistakes that can actually hold you back from selling your Delaware or Pennsylvania home and as your local experts, we've included them below!

If you plan to sell your Chester County or Delaware County PA home this summer, be sure to avoid the following:

1. Overpricing
In order to attract buyers and prompt them to write an offer, your home needs to be priced well from the beginning. Overpricing can cause buyers to pass over your property entirely, given their search parameters, or wonder why they seem to be getting less in your home than they would in another of a similar price. Always consult with your agent on your listing price before determining the best.

2. Using poor listing photos
Buyers today first begin their home search online and poor listing photos could turn them away before they even make it to the front door. Make sure you have professional photos used in your online listing— they should be crisp, bright, and showcase your home in its best possible condition.

3. Not de-cluttering
When buyers enter your Greater Wilmington home, they should be able to focus on the property itself, not the furniture or knick knacks on display. Take the time to de-clutter before you allow buyers inside, or even before you list, to ensure the best results.

4. Not being flexible
If you do have offers on your home, at least consider a counter offer before rejecting one entirely. Holding firm without being flexible could just cause your home to "sit" on the market longer than it needs to and force buyers to walk away.

The Kat Geralis Home Team has helped numerous sellers earn top dollar for their homes and we can help you do the same! Give us a call today to get started finding your home value and preparing your property for the market.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
Find me on Facebook

If there are two spaces that can help sell your Greater Wilmington home, it is the kitchen and the bathroom. Buyers today are looking for homes that require little updating and if your home fits the bill, you could already be well on your way to home sale success! But how can you be sure your property has what buyers are looking for?

Let's start with the bathroom! Below are four bathroom trends that could risk turning off Delaware and Pennsylvania homebuyers this year:

The all white bathroom
This may have been the trend in past years, but buyers today are shying away from the all white space. White tile, white floors and white paint in the bathroom can be tricky to keep clean, especially with moisture in the room. But you don't need to completely renovate your bathroom to get around this— you can easily paint and bring in color with towels or even swapping out hardware and light fixtures.

Wacky color schemes
While buyers are looking for color in their bathroom, it's essential to not get too carried away. Outlandish color schemes like mustard yellow, bright pink or even purple can be too much. Introduce subtle colors, sticking to soft hues as much as possible.

Medicine cabinets
This bathroom feature does provide more storage, but it can take up valuable space, especially in small rooms. If you have a medicine cabinet in your Chester County or Delaware County PA home, you might consider replacing it with open shelving or with a simple mirror instead.

Oversized tub
This may make your bathroom feel smaller and buyers will notice. In fact, the desire for bathtubs has been on the decline in recent years, with more buyers preferring a spacious shower. You do not need to remove your tub, but if you're thinking of replacing this feature, be realistic about its size. 

You can count on the Kat Geralis Home Team to walk you through the home sale process, from finding your property value to preparing for showings to negotiating the best offer. Give us a call today for more information! 

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
Find me on Facebook

Excitement runs high when you have an accepted offer on your Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania home, but what comes next could bring you down if not properly prepared for— the home inspection. The inspection could make or break your deal and is a contingency often written into most offers, meaning the buyer could walk away if the results are less than ideal.

Below are just a few of the items that inspectors will be looking for during their time at your Greater Wilmington area property:

1. Structure: Integrity of your foundation, state of windows, doors and frames
2. Grounds: Faulty grading, dilapidated pathways and walks, trees, and any standing water
3. Roof: Defects in shingles, flashing, fascia, gutters, chimney and skylights
4. Interiors: Water damage, insulation, heating vents
5. Kitchen: Venting, sink leaks
6. Bathroom: Toilets flush, showers spray, sinks work

If you're worried about the home inspection, there are also several ways you can prepare to reassure both yourself and DE and PA buyers!

Clean and clean again
Inspectors will appreciate a clean home in Chester County and Delaware County, so take care of every nook and cranny! Make sure all areas that the inspector needs to access are free of obstacles like toys, furniture and decor— including electrical panels and doors to the basement and attic.

Unlock all doors 
You will want the inspector to have complete access to your home, so be sure all gates, doors and even windows are unlocked to let them test with ease. Or if your real estate agent will be accompanying the inspector, you can simply unlock those that do not have a lockbox.

Keep a maintenance log
If you've done any work to your Delaware or Pennsylvania home, keep an orderly log of them in addition to receipts and contracts from any outside laborers. You will want to be able to back up any repairs that have been completed for buyer peace of mind.

Spring is an exciting time for homeowners in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania! Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call for more information about how you can take advantage of the current market! 

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
Find me on Facebook

If you made home improvements to your Delaware or Pennsylvania home in 2016, you are likely eligible for certain tax deductions that can save you immensely on your return. But how do you know what you are able to deduct from your renovation? The Kat Geralis Home Team has included below those tax-deductible home improvements that you are able to claim:

Energy Efficient Upgrades
This credit is geared toward major system upgrades in your Greater Wilmington or Newark home. In order to claim, you need to have purchased a new AC system, furnace, water heater, skylight, windows, home insulation or energy-efficient roof for your home in 2016. Also, keep in mind there is a lifetime cap of $500 on this credit, so if you've already hit the limit, you cannot claim any more.

Energy Generating Upgrades
As a homeowner, you are able to claim up to 30 percent of the costs of solar panels, solar water heaters, fuel cells, wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps for a tax credit. This credit is good through 2019 and does not have a cap like its energy efficiency counterpart mentioned above.

Upgrades That Add Value
Most renovations made in your Southeastern Pennsylvania or Delaware home are eligible for a tax credit. For instance, if you built an addition, renovated a bathroom or kitchen, replaced your roof, added a deck or replaced any windows or doors, you can deduct those costs, so save your receipts! Remember, the upgrades need to add value to your home, so repairs don't count!

Interest from Home Improvement Loans
Just as you can deduct the interest of your mortgage payments, you can deduct the interest from a home improvement loan or HELOC if the money is used to renovate your home. Any home improvements are eligible for the credit and you can deduct up to $100,000 in interest.

Renovating is a great way to boost value in time to sell your Chester County or Delaware County home this year. Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today for more information about selling your home, your home value or available properties in the Greater Wilmington area.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
Visit My Website
Contact Me
Find me on Facebook