Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News Archives

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
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This time of year is quite popular for Delaware and Pennsylvania residents to make a move! If you've been wondering what the current real estate market is behaving like in New Castle County, you can count on the Kat Geralis Home Team to keep you updated with the latest statistics!

For the second quarter of 2016, there were 2,476 homes for sale— an 11 percent decrease in inventory from this time last year and a trend we're seeing around the country. However, both the median sales price (+0.5%) and the number of home sales (+5.4%) have increased from this time in 2015!

But while the median sales price has increased in New Castle County, the average sales price for the second quarter is down 1.2 percent to $242,066. But home sellers need not worry too much about lower inventory as the percentage of the original price received does come in at 95.2%— the same for this time last year!

As you can see from the graphics above, inventory is indeed trending lower—with the second quarter posting a drop from 2015 to a 4.6 months supply—but home sales are still succeeding! Buyers are still present in the New Castle County real estate market and with mortgage rates still at historic lows, now is still a great time to move on to your dream home! Just remember, these updated statistics are a brief snapshot of levels in the local real estate market, so do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions you have!

Our top-ranked team is here to help with all of your real estate goals this year, from finding your dream home in Greater Wilmington, Chester County or Delaware County PA to selling your current home and moving on!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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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
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Summer is almost over, but that doesn't mean your chances of selling your Wilmington or Pennsylvania home are also dwindling. This summer has created the perfect environment for home sellers to find success and even, top dollar! So if you've been thinking about selling and the idea of waiting for fall crossed your mind, the Kat Geralis Home Team has provided five reasons why you will want to make it happen now!

There is high demand
With lower inventory, the ball is in the seller's court in Delaware and Pennsylvania! Buyer demand remains high, with buyers ready, motivated and financially able to purchase a home this summer. Listing your home now will allow you to take advantage of the demand in the real estate market.

The process will move quickly
Home sales have been on the rise— in fact, Fannie Mae recently announced that they expect home sales to outpace 2007 levels by late summer! Selling your Greater Wilmington, Chester County or Delaware County PA home now will allow you to avoid longer closing times caused by banks bogged down with loan applications. 

You have less competition
As I mentioned above, the real estate market is experiencing lower inventory than there has been in past months and for home sellers, that means less competition! But this won't last for long— many homeowners have been unable to sell in past years due to negative equity and are now ready to make a move. Soon these homes will make their way to the market and the number of choices for buyers will increase. Don't wait for more inventory to arrive before you list!

Now is the time to move up
Do you need a larger home with more space? There will not be a better time to move up in Delaware or Pennsylvania! Both mortgage rates and home prices are increasing and simply waiting to buy the same home a year from now will cost you significantly more than if you made the move today. Just remember, CoreLogic expects prices to appreciate by 5.3 percent over the next year. 

You're ready to go
If your current home just isn't cutting it anymore in terms of space or features or location, it's time to take advantage of what the real estate market has for you! 

Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today for more information about homes for sale in Chester County, Delaware County PA or Greater Wilmington DE. We're here to help!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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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
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The time is here yet again! Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA will soon celebrate Independence Day on July 4 and there are dozens of fun-filled events and fireworks planned for the community! The KG Home Team has included a sampling below so you can look forward to kicking off your long, holiday weekend the right way!

Town of Elsmere Independence Day Celebration, July 2, 2016; Fairgrounds Park in Wilmington DE, Dusk. Join the Town of Elsmere for their annual Fourth of July celebration! The free fireworks show begins at dusk.

Wilmington Blue Rocks vs. Winston-Salem Dash, July 2, 2016; Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in Wilmington DE, 7 PM. It doesn't get much more American than baseball, hot dogs, and patriotic music! This special game will also honor local heroes!

Freedom Fest, July 2, 2016; Nottingham County Park in Nottingham PA, 6 PM to 11 PM. Plan to enjoy an Independence Day weekend concert, food vendors, kids activities, as well as fireworks at dusk. Cost is $10 to attend.

Summer Spectacular at Longwood, Through September 5, 2016; Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA, 9 AM to 6 PM. Visit Longwood during all of its summer splendor, including aquatic plants from all over the world, cool shady groves, and miles of trails in the Meadow Garden.

4th of July Fireworks, July 4, 2016; University of Delaware Athletics in Newark DE, 6 PM to 10:30 PM. This free local Fourth of July event will include fun, games, fireworks and more!

Phoenixville Independence Day Fireworks, July 4, 2016; Friendship Field in Phoenixville PA, Dusk.

Tredyffrin Township Annual 4th of July Celebration, July 4, 2016; Wilson Farm Park in Chesterbrook PA, 7 PM. Music begins at 7 PM in Wilson Farm Park, continuing on through 9:15 PM, with fireworks at dusk. Free to attend.

Wilmington's 4th of July Celebration, July 4, 2016; Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington DE, 2 PM. This free event lasts all afternoon long and celebrates our nation's independence along the Christina River! Enjoy live music, food, wine and craft beer, local vendors, activities for the kids, as well as a fireworks show at the end of the night!

Hockessin 4th of July Celebration, July 4, 2016; Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin DE, 3 PM. This day-long celebration begins at 3 PM with a Fourth of July parade down Old Lancaster Pike, complete with floats, music and more. Also back this year is the 2nd Annual Great American Gut Buster Food Devouring Spectacle by 2 Fat Guys American Grill. The fireworks display begins at dusk and can be seen from all over Hockessin. 

30th Firecracker 5K Run/Walk, July 4, 2016; Rockford Park in Wilmington DE, 7:30 AM. Start your holiday off with a 5K Run/Walk beginning in Rockford Park and continuing to Greenville, before finishing back in Rockford Park. 

As always, do not hesitate to reach out to the KG Home Team with any questions about home buying or selling this year in the Greater Wilmington area and Southeastern Pennsylvania!

We hope you have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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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

Can you believe Memorial Day is here? For many in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania, that means the unofficial beginning of summer, gatherings with friends and family, a long weekend of barbecues and beach time! 

But no matter the time of year, Greater Wilmington and Southeastern PA always have a jam-packed calendar of fun events for both residents and visitors alike and as your local real estate experts, we are sharing a few with you below!

Wilmington and Western Railroad 50th Anniversary Weekend. May 28-30, 2016; Wilmington DE. This Memorial Day weekend, the Wilmington and Western Railroad will celebrate its 50th anniversary with double-headed train rides, locomotive dedication, and member's reunion, to name a few!

Riverwalk Mini Golf. Wilmington Riverwalk, Wilmington DE. This 18-hole miniature golf course is now open along Wilmington's Riverfront!

Memorial Day Music Festival. May 28-30, 2016; Chaddsford Winery, Chadds Ford PA. A three-day weekend full of wine, food, music and fun! There will be back-to-back bands and a selection of favorite food trucks on site!

Hagley Honors Our Vets. May 30, 2016; 10 AM to 4 PM; Hagley Museum, Wilmington DE. The Hagley Museum will be offering free admission to all military veterans as well as active military and their families all Memorial Day long.

Wilmington Memorial Day Parade. May 30, 2016; From Red Oak Rd to Franklin St on Delaware Ave; Wilmington DE. The City of Wilmington gathers for a parade to honor and observes our veterans.

Oxford Memorial Day Parade. May 30, 2016; 10 AM. South Street to Cemetery, Oxford PA. 

Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade. May 30, 2016; 9 AM. Downtown Kennett Square PA. This year's annual parade in the Borough of Kennett Square will feature bands, military, local businesses and re-enactors!

Spring Blooms at Longwood Gardens. Through June 3, 2016; Kennett Square PA. Take in the beautiful spring landscape before summer arrives at Longwood Gardens! Here you will find flowering trees, daffodils, over 200,000 tulips— all in bright, spring colors!

Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend! And as always, if you have any questions about buying or selling a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania this year, do not hesitate to contact the KG Home Team!

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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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

Now that spring has arrived, many homeowners and potential homebuyers are wondering if now is the right time to make a move. The KG Home Team is always happy to provide information about the local real estate market, including these updated market statistics for New Castle County Delaware!

For the first quarter of 2016, there were 2,362 homes for sale— a 4.4 percent decrease in inventory from this time last year. And while New Castle County is indeed experiencing the low inventory that can be found throughout much of the country right now, both the sales prices of homes in the area and the number of closed sales are up from 2015! 

The average sales price for the first quarter of 2016 was $230,441—up 2.5 percent from last year—and the number of closed sales totaled 1,230— up 9 percent from last year! Home sellers in New Castle County DE were also reported to have received 93.5 percent of the original price at closing, which is an increase of .4 percent from 2015!

As you can see from the infographics above, buyer demand is high despite the lack of inventory in the local market; the first quarter is showing inventory at a 4.5 months supply, 15.9 percent lower than last year's inventory during the same time.

It is a great time to be a home seller in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern PA, with sales prices and closed sales increasing, in addition to a great time for buyers with mortgage rates still at historic lows! Remember, these updated statistics provide a brief snapshot of levels in the local real estate market, so do not hesitate to contact the KG Home Team with any questions about homes for sale in the area!

Our top-notch agents are here to help with any of your needs this year, from finding your dream home in Delaware or Pennsylvania to selling your current property! 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