Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News Archives

Before you renew your lease or consider signing a new one, you might like to consider buying a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania. There are dozens of reasons why homeownership is the better option over renting and as your local real estate experts, we've included a few of them for you below!

It's less expensive
While you may be intimidated by homeownership, you will be glad to know it is much less expensive than renting! According to a new report, it is now 37 percent less expensive to buy a home than it is to rent nationwide. If you're ready to take that next step toward buying your own home, your first step is to meet with a lender to get pre-approved and find out how much you can afford!

You can lock in your housing cost
The costs of renting are always rising, but with homeownership, you are able to lock in your housing costs for the next 5, 10, 15, even 30 years, depending on the mortgage you choose! Locking in one of the current interest rates, which are currently hovering around historic lows, allows you to watch your home value rise, but your housing costs stay the same! 

There are tax advantages
When you own your own Delaware or Pennsylvania home, there are certain tax benefits that come along with it. For instance, did you know you can deduct the cost of property taxes and mortgage interest from your annual taxes? It's always best to check with your account to see which advantages apply to you, but owning a home is certainly a way to earn tax savings!

Homeownership is forced savings
Think of owning a home in Southeastern PA or Greater Wilmington DE as a means of "forced savings." What that means is that by simply paying your mortgage each month, you are building equity that you can use at a later date toward renovations, paying down debt, or whatever you choose. When you rent a home, that savings is all funneled to your landlord.

It's the best investment
Homeownership has long been hailed as one of the best investments you can make— better than stocks or gold! What's more, no other investment allows you to live in it! When you purchase a home, not only are you helping to build your wealth with the investment, but this one also allows you a place to live! You can't say the same for gold.

Ready to find a place of your own in the Greater Wilmington DE or Southeastern PA area? Do not hesitate to contact the Kat Geralis Home Team with any questions about buying a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania this year or for a list of available properties! We even offer FREE First-Time Home Buyer Seminars! 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Katina Geralis
DE and PA Real Estate Expert
eXp Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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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
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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
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Did you know the majority of today's homebuyers aren't aware of closing costs? You may find that you have prepared for homeownership with your down payment and even have your first month's mortgage ready in your bank account, but this very important set of costs is commonly overlooked. 

As your local real estate experts in Greater Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA, the Kat Geralis Home Team has included a few key notes on closing costs below so you are better equipped to make the biggest, most important purchase of your life!

What Are They?

Closing costs are recurring and non-recurring fees connected to both your lender and other parties in the sale—for instance, an attorney, inspector and title company—and are to be paid upfront at the closing table. Unless you have financed them ahead of time or worked your offer to arrange for the seller to pick up the tab, unfortunately there is no way around these costs.

Closing costs typically include:

• Homeowners insurance
• Title insurance
• Loan origination
• Home inspection
• Appraisal
• Document prep
• Property line survey
• Title search and recording
• Loan underwriting
• Wire transfer

How Much Will They Cost?

Closing costs tend to range between two and five percent of the total purchase price of the home. 

How Can You Prepare?

It is true that you may not know how much you will owe in closing costs until you find a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania and meet with a lender, but you can still gather a general idea based on your price range alone. Is your budget for a new home around $150,000? You can expect to pay between $3,000 and $7,500 in closing costs.

Once you've met with your lender in Wilmington, Newark, Chester County or Delaware County, you can estimate how much you will owe in closing costs given your loan product, loan amount and the interest rate you are offered. You can use a mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payment and how that will fluctuate depending on if you've decided to finance the closing costs into it. 

Buying a home for the first time in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern PA is both an exciting and uncertain time. Let the Kat Geralis Home Team walk you through the process, every step of the way, so you can feel more at ease and enjoy the prospect of finding your dream home!

Give us a call today for more information about buying a home or available properties in the area! We even offer FREE First-Time Home Buyer Seminars!

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

September is here and it's time to start getting your home ready for the fall season ahead. Say goodbye to summer by putting away garden tools, patio furniture and cleaning the gutters to make way for the falling leaves. 

As your local real estate experts in Wilmington DE and Southeastern PA, the Kat Geralis Home Team has listed five home improvement tasks to complete around your home this month:

Clean up siding
During the summer months, the siding on your home can easily become mildewed and damaged. Check for cracks in the siding that may need repaired and take the time to pressure wash away any dirt and grime that may have accumulated over the last few months. You will want to have any issues fixed before the cold arrives!

Check windows and doors
The seals around windows and doors become increasingly important during the fall and winter as they can let warm air escape and cold air enter. Check these seals in your Wilmington DE area home and if you spot a place where air can escape, you can apply a new bead of caulk or weatherstripping depending on its location.

Clean the chimney
If you have a fireplace in your Southeastern PA home, now is the time to have it swept for use in the fall and winter. The build up of soot can make you more prone to a chimney fire, so it's best to let the pros tackle this job.

Have HVAC inspected
When you go to reach for the thermostat this fall, you will want to know everything is in working order. Call your local technician to have your HVAC system inspected now and take care to change out your furnace filter. There is often a long waiting list to have systems inspected when the weather turns cold, so avoid this obstacle and cross it off your list now!

Clean and store yard equipment
It's time to put away the gardening tools, patio furniture, garden hose, and the like. While you may use them a few more times in the coming weeks, you can at least clean them now to ensure they will not rust or become damaged once in storage. Clear a space in the garage or shed to store all of your yard equipment and outdoor furniture and once you've decided to call it for the season, you'll know exactly where they go!

Ready to make a move this fall? Contact the Kat Geralis Home Team today for more information about selling your home and finding your next dream property in Greater Wilmington, Chester County and Delaware County PA!

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

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
Visit My Website
Contact Me
Find me on Facebook

It is no secret that mortgage rates won't be this low forever and as a result, many Greater Wilmington DE homeowners are thinking about refinancing. Refinancing can indeed save you thousands if you strike while rates are low, however, this is one real estate topic that comes packaged with dozens of myths.

Below are three common refinancing myths that end up holding Southeastern Pennsylvania homeowners back from saving money on their loan:

1. You're Too Late to Refinance
If hearing about rising rates has caused you to hit pause on your decision to refinance, think again! You most definitely have not missed your chance to save on your mortgage. As long as your lender confirms that refinancing will indeed lower your monthly payment and you are on the same page with the costs associated with the refinance, now is still a great time to make it happen!

2. You Won't Qualify
Even if you are trying to improve your credit or have recently switched jobs, you may still be able to qualify for a refinance. Don't let this hold you back from inquiring! The best course of action is to meet with a local lender to discuss your options and your eligibility as many requirements are beginning to loosen again and you could be surprised!

3. You'll Have to Reset the Term to 30 Years
If a refinance could be favorable for you, but you've already paid off decades of your home loan, don't jump right into thinking the term will be reset to the 30 year mark. Perhaps the best move during your refinancing is not the standard 30-year loan, but a shorter term ARM (adjustable rate mortgage). Consider your future plans and the time you plan to live in your current home as a shorter loan could still allow you to save and when the higher rate sets in, you may be ready to sell and move on!

Questions about the local real estate market, selling your home, or recommendations for lenders in the Wilmington DE, Newark DE, or Southeastern PA area? Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today!

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

As a buyer in Delaware or Southeastern Pennsylvania, it is essential to consider all costs association with your new home. Everything from maintenance to renovation, repairs and closing costs should be factored in to ensure that you do not have any surprises or worries down the road. But if you're purchasing a new construction home in the Greater Wilmington area, it's also important to be aware of the costs you'll have after the closing.

Below are four costs you will have after the purchase of your new construction home in Greater Wilmington, Chester County or Delaware County PA: 

Utilities
Yes, all homeowners will have utilities to factor into their budget, but if you're moving up to a larger home, you will need to research how much more yours will cost. If you're relocating to Delaware or Pennsylvania, you may also have a deposit or set-up fee for installing new services like cable or bringing in new equipment that may have already been in place in an existing home.

Window Coverings
Remember that when you purchase a new construction home, you are the first owner! There are no window coverings to work into your offer. You will want to take measurements of the windows and note how many when adding up your costs. Plus, it's key to start early as lead time for receiving new window coverings could take longer than expected, leaving you with no privacy upon move-in!

Appliances
With some builders, you will be able to work an appliance package into the overall purchase price of the property. However, that is not always the case! After you've inquired with the builder about what is and is not included in the price, it's time to sit down and decide all of the appliances you will need and how much they will run you. You will want these in place on your move-in date!

Landscaping
You've probably been dreaming about the interior of your new Delaware or Southeastern PA home and as a result, the exterior has not even crossed your mind. Landscaping outside of your new construction home may look pristine, but is the backyard on the same level? Make sure you know if the landscaping will be finished by the builder or if that is an additional cost for you. What's more, if you will live in a homeowners' association, note if there is a timeline to have landscaping completed. 

Does a new construction home feel like the best fit for you this year? Give the Kat Geralis Home Team  a call today for more information about available properties or how you can get started on your home buying journey!

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

In a previous blog post, we discussed how important the home inspection can be to the process of buying a home in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Now it's time to move on to the next step on your journey to becoming a homeowner— negotiating repairs! What many buyers don't understand is that negotiating can be done long before you even get to the closing table to sign the contract and it's important that you consider the following ways to come away with the best possible deal.

Below are three ways you can negotiate repairs after the home inspection in Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania:

Ask for a credit for work needed
If you put yourself in the seller's shoes for a moment, you will quickly recognize that they are ready to move on and likely do not want to do any repair work on their home prior to leaving. You can ask for a credit when you close to complete the necessary projects yourself. After all, you will probably give much more attention to the work as the new owner than someone exiting the property would.

Think ahead
Regardless if you plan to renovate the kitchen after you move-in, the repairs the space may need are still up for negotiation! For instance, the floor tile may need replacing, but if you have an overhaul on the books, you don't really mind. No matter— you can always ask the seller for a credit to fix any problems in the home as they will help to offset your total closing costs.

Don't go overboard
Keep in mind that the home inspection could come back perfect and in that case, there is nothing to negotiate. If you insist on negotiating repairs anyway, in an attempt to make back what you didn't get in the initial price negotiations, you could risk turning off the seller and them moving on to the next buyer. Listen to your real estate agent about places you can negotiate, but don't go so far where you risk canceling the deal.

The homebuying process can seem overwhelming, but remember that your Kat Geralis Home Team agent is here to negotiate on your behalf and work for you! Give us a call today with any questions you may have about buying a home this year.

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

Spring has sprung and as you read this, dozens of Greater Wilmington and Southeastern Pennsylvania residents are contemplating buying a new home. In fact, spring is the time of year when the real estate market begins to really heat up and buyers descend upon local homes for sale! However, if you're a first-time buyer this year or are feeling overwhelmed by the process, don't worry! It may be best to break it down into simple steps, so you too can take advantage of this exciting time.

You can count on the Kat Geralis Home Team to clarify any questions you have about buying a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania and simplify the path to homeownership. Below are five steps to get you started as a homebuyer: 

1. Find an agent
Your first step on the path to homeownership should be finding an expert you can both trust and feel comfortable with. This is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your life, so don't be too quick to choose just anyone.

2. Find a lender
One of the initial steps to buying a home is getting pre-approved for a mortgage and ultimately, applying for the loan. If you do not already have a lender in mind, your real estate agent is a wealth of resources! Ask them for a recommendation in order to find out how much home you can afford.

3. Groom your credit score
Start as early as you can on your buyer preparations as your credit score may need some time to clean up. Avoid taking out any additional lines of credit, be careful not to make late payments, and if possible, pay down your high interests debts first.

4. Make a wish list
Knowing what you need in a new home is key! However, be sure you can distinguish this from what you want. You may need to make compromises in your home search according to your budget, so know what you are willing to let go and what you absolutely have to have to fit your lifestyle.

5. Search for properties
Once you've met with a lender and have been pre-approved, you will know how much you can afford in a new home. Stay within those parameters to avoid falling in love with a home out of your budget, but now you can begin to search for your dream home!

Don't know where to start, but want to buy a home in Greater Wilmington or Southeastern Pennsylvania? Give the Kat Geralis Home Team a call today! We've helped numerous buyers become homeowners and we are happy to help you do the same.

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