Kat Geralis Home Team Wilmington DE Real Estate News

Let’s face it: times are difficult for many Wilmington, DE homeowners right now. There are millions of homes in foreclosure in the United States and the number is only continuing to grow. Unfortunately, foreclosure is a very real possibility for those who are unable to stay on top of their mortgage payments. However, if you recognize the seriousness of the situation early on, there are alternatives that are less damaging both emotionally and financially. When possible, a short sale is a much better alternative and I always make sure to discuss this with Wilmington, DE homeowners who come to me for advice.

While I do my absolute best to guide Wilmington, DE homeowners towards a short sale when they’re in distress, foreclosure does happen and the emotional and financial consequences extend beyond the foreclosure process itself.  As your Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I want to share some of the situations you can expect to encounter and provide solutions for dealing with them as responsibly as possible.

1. Finding a new home right away

Probably the most pressing and unsettling obstacle to deal with after foreclosure is where you’re going to live. The good news is even with a low credit score, renting is an option if you have the cash to put down a deposit. As soon as you think foreclosure is a possibility, make plans to either stay with a family member or friend, or look into the “cash for keys” program in which you receive a check for voluntarily vacating your home.

2. Buying another home in the future

If your Wilmington, DE home was foreclosed on, the minimum amount of time until you can obtain a new mortgage is five years. However, foreclosed owners do have the opportunity to prove that the foreclosure was out of their control due to job loss, and potentially get this time period reduced to three years. Your best option for the shortest amount of time between mortgages is to go with a federally insured FHA loan.

3. The emotional toll

While the above issues are logistical, it’s important to note that a period of emotional distress and grieving will occur and shouldn’t be discounted. It’s never emotionally easy to leave your Wilmington, DE home and neighborhood, let alone be in a situation where your financial record will take a hit, too. The silver lining is that because foreclosure is so common in today’s economy, potential employers and even your new neighbors will generally be sympathetic. There isn’t as much of a stigma as there used to be.

As your Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I will always provide you with alternatives to foreclosure. As a short sale expert, I take pride in helping Wilmington, DE homeowners navigate the ins and outs of the short sale process, decreasing stress and saving them time and money. As long as you are proactive and seek the advice of a Wilmington, DE real estate expert at first signs of distress, foreclosure can be sidestepped. If you think you might be in danger of foreclosure, please contact me so we can discuss your options!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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Most likely, you’ve heard time and again that there are far more benefits to buying a Wilmington, DE home than to renting a property. As rental rates continue to rise all across the United States, this holds true now more than ever in today’s buyer’s market. Recently, I came across a CNN Money article that lists the highest rental increase over the past 12 months as nearly 13% in Sarasota, FL. On top of already sky-high rental rates, the cost of renting is becoming unrealistic for many in Wilmington, DE and across the U.S.

Overall, asking prices for homes have decreased .7% while rental rates have increased on average 5%. Why the skyrocketing rental rates? It’s no secret that many here in Wilmington, DE and across the country are having trouble staying on top of their mortgage payments. Going through the process of a short sale or foreclosure leaves renting as the only option for so many people that there is a rising demand for a limited supply of rental units.

While I realize that buying simply isn’t an option for some, those who are in the market to buy a home in Wilmington, DE are at a great advantage. Trulia reported that home prices have continued to drop over the past 12 months and with rental prices expected to keep increasing, it’s never looked better to consider homeownership. We’re also looking at extremely low mortgage rates which makes it even easier to justify buying a home in Wilmington, DE rather than sinking money into a rental each month. CNN Money’s most recent report shows a 30-year fixed mortgage at 3.86% down from 3.90% last week.

To put this in better perspective, here’s an example using real numbers. As of the end of last week, the average list price in Wilmington, DE was $230,021 and as I mentioned before the 30-year mortgage rate is at 3.86%. Additionally, the average rental rate in Wilmington, DE is about $1,050 according to data by rentbits. Using a tool The New York Times provides, we are able to calculate how much money a Wilmington, DE homeowner will save over a renter and how long it will take to start benefiting. With 20% down, the average mortgage would be nearly $200 less per month than the average rent payment. Check out this tool and try it for yourself with your current monthly rent and the prices of some Wilmington, DE homes you have in mind.

As your Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I feel it’s my responsibility to provide you with the most up-to-date market statistics. I hope the information I provide and the tools I show you help your home buying or home selling process go smoothly and successfully. If you need any assistance selling your Wilmington, DE home, are considering a short sale, or would like to see some homes for sale in the area, please feel free to contact me. I’m well versed in the Wilmington, DE real estate market and would love to help you through your real estate transaction.

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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As we move deeper into the Spring season in the Wilmington, DE real estate market, things are really getting busy with buyers on the prowl for a great deal on a new home. I know, when you’re a seller, the last thing you want to hear about is the buyer’s market. This is especially the case if you are in a position where you need to sell your Wilmington, DE home quickly to avoid foreclosure.

In the past I have explained the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure, but to refresh your memory, a Wilmington, DE short sale occurs when a lender agrees to let a homeowner sell their property for less than what is owed on the home, forgiving all other amounts owed after the transaction is complete. Feel free to look back on my previous blog entry for more details as to how a Wilmington, DE short sale works.

While neither is desirable, a short sale is the preferred route when you’re in a situation where you are facing the possibility of losing your home. You will sidestep the major damage to your credit a foreclosure causes, you’ll avoid the humiliation and frustration associated with the foreclosure process, not to mention a load of stress will be taken off of your shoulders. In this type of situation, the guidance of a real estate agent experienced in Wilmington, DE foreclosures and short sales is invaluable.

Selling your home quickly can be stressful, so I wanted to provide you with some negotiating tips to get the best possible result even with the situation isn’t ideal.

1. Keep quiet about your reasons for selling

When you’re approached with the “Why are you selling?” question, be vague about the fact that you’re in a hurry to sell. If other agents and their buyers know you’re in a pinch and need to achieve a sale quickly, you’re giving them an advantage. A simple, “Its just time” or “Moving closer to family” are good responses that will keep you in the clear.

2. Head straight to the lender

If you speak to the bank and let them know you’re actively trying to sell your Wilmington, DE home, there’s a good possibility that they’ll lower your mortgage payment. The lender just wants its money, and the quickest way for them to get it is through a traditional sale.

3. Have Plan B up your sleeve

This ties in with my first tip - you don’t want a potential buyer to know that you’re distressed. Make it known that you have other options, like putting your home on the market for rent, so that the buyer doesn’t know they have you under their thumb. The fact that you have other options and offers makes your Wilmington, DE home more desirable.

As your Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I understand how stressful it is to have financial troubles and be faced with the possibility of a short sale or foreclosure. The important thing to realize is that by putting your property on the market now, you’re being proactive about the situation and will end up with the best possible result. If I can be of assistance in any way, please contact me! I 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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Tuesday marked the first day of spring, and with the change in season comes an increase in real estate activity. More people begin to think about buying or selling their home in time for summer, and as a Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I can honestly say that I get incredibly busy during this time of year. This spring has seen a different trend, however. Despite the longtime buyers market that we have been in over the past year, recent activity has suggested that we are in a temporary sellers market. Conditions are improving for sellers and ideal for buyers at the moment, so if you’re thinking about entering the Wilmington, DE real estate market, now would be the time to do so.

There are a number of economic factors that have contributed to the recent upswing in home buyer activity over the past few months, but here are a few that stand out strongly in my mind:

•    A mild winter. Warmer temperatures and ideal weather during the dreaded winter months have been incentive for buyers to leave their homes and begin their search for the perfect Wilmington, DE home earlier than they would have in past years. Whether you’re looking for a single family home or distressed property, the weather has been anything but a deterrent from pursuing your property.
•    Sellers are getting smarter. Despite all of the statistics and market conditions that have been proving price points are lower than average, sellers are now starting to realize that in order to attract buyers, they need to price their homes reasonably. The asking price needs to fit market conditions. Since more sellers have come to this realization, more homes are being priced correctly from the get-go. As a result, buyers are starting to make offers on these properties.
•    An improving economy creates a sense of urgency with buyers. Home prices are gradually starting to go back up, and so are mortgage insurance premiums and the number of jobs. These are all signs that the housing market is about to improve, and when that happens, home prices will begin to rise again. Buyers want to take advantage of the market while the conditions are still ideal for them, so they will likely want to buy a home sooner rather than later.
•     Consumers are a bit better informed than in the past. With housing woes taking over the headlines over the past year or so, consumers have taken an active interest in getting more educated about the nature of the housing market before making the decision to enter a transaction. This includes seeking the advice of real estate agents and mortgage professionals. Since consumers have become more knowledgeable about housing conditions, many buyers are now realizing that the market is fantastic for them at the moment, and they are acting accordingly.

As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I think that it’s important to keep my community informed about current housing conditions. All of the national housing activity suggests that right now, the market is ideal for buyers. With the improving economy and ever-changing conditions, buyers would be smart to act NOW while the market still works to their advantage.

If you need help finding a Wilmington, DE home, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help you navigate through each transaction with ease. I hope to hear from you soon.

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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The reality of the current Wilmington, DE real estate market is that homeowners are struggling to stay afloat. While the economy is getting better, many are still struggling with maintaining a steady income to pay their mortgage each month. As a real estate agent who specializes in Wilmington, DE short sales and foreclosures, it is my responsibility to be aware of this issue and use my knowledge of market conditions to help guide my clients through what can oftentimes be a very difficult, hurtful and stressful time. That’s why, when Wilmington, DE homeowners approach me and express that they are in danger of losing their house, I always take the time to sit down with them and review their options.

Since my primary goal is to help people who are in danger of going through a Wilmington, DE foreclosure know and understand all of their options, it’s important to me that I explain each alternative as thoroughly as possible. The better my clients understand what they can do to avoid foreclosure, the more likely it is that we can find the right alternative and come up with a plan to avoid conflict. One of the most popular alternatives to foreclosures is going through a short sale. A Wilmington, DE short sale occurs when a lender agrees to let a homeowner sell their property for less than what is owed on the home, forgiving all other amounts owed after the transaction is complete.

Short sales are far less damaging to one’s overall credit than foreclosures, which is why they are such an attractive option to many Wilmington, DE homeowners. The process, however, is a bit complex and can take a long time if you’re not diligent and persistent. In the interest of helping all of my clients who are in need of guidance, I thought that I’d outline the short sale process briefly. This will allow those who are in danger of losing their Wilmington, DE home get a better idea of one of the main alternatives to foreclosure.

•    Contact your Wilmington, DE real estate agent and lender to discuss policies, procedures and your options. Consulting with a professional before undergoing the process will help you decide if this is really the right route for you to be taking, which can help you avoid more conflict down the line.
•    Compose a letter to release documentation about the loan and the property. The escrow agency and the buyer will receive this information prior to making an offer.
•    The lender will examine the settlement statement. This document will include the selling price and what is left of the loan balance. Other fees, such as closing costs and commissions, will also be included in the statement.
•    Submit a hardship letter to your lender outlining your current financial problems. You will need to explain why it is that you can’t make mortgage payments. Think of this as a brief letter that you will need to use to build your case. You need to make the reader sympathize and understand why you have experienced hardship and realize that it is impossible for you to continue to stay in the home.
•    Include banking statements, investment portfolios, employment paystubs and other financial documents with your letter to prove that you can under no circumstances make your monthly mortgage payments.
•    The lender will consult with the Wilmington, DE real estate broker to evaluate the house’s structure and compare it with other homes in the area to determine its worth.
•    The lender will then examine the purchase agreement and review the commission amount to determine that the short sale transaction would be beneficial to all parties involved.

Broken down, Wilmington, DE short sales are processes that require patience and a lot of back-and-forth; however they also are a very viable option for many homeowners in today’s economic climate. As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent who specializes in short sales and foreclosures, I’d be remiss if I didn’t review each option and alternative with my clients in detail. It’s the only way to ensure that everyone understands their options and comes up with the best plan possible for their particular situation.

If you have any questions about the Wilmington, DE short sale process, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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I consider it a priority, as a Wilmington, DE real estate agent, to stay on top of emerging trends in the local real estate market. It’s important that I use the latest market news and statistics when communicating with my clients because it helps me better understand the individual needs of every Wilmington, DE real estate transaction. When I have a strong grasp of what is happening in both the local and national real estate market, I know what my clients’ needs are and can provide them the best service possible. In recent years, that meant that I had to help more people successfully complete their Wilmington, DE short sale transaction, and this is still the case in today’s market.

Each time a new year begins, I sit down and take the time to review what happened the year before and determine what that could mean for the year to come. As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent, it is how I know what areas of expertise I need to use to best service the needs of the people in my community. Over the past few weeks, I have taken the time to figure out that there are a few changes to come to the Wilmington, DE real estate market. With the intention of preparing you for what is to come, I thought that I’d share a few of the major upcoming trends:

•    Home buyers will make a comeback. Now that jobless claims are decreasing and the condition of the United States economy is slowly improving, more home buyers will be stepping up to the plate this year. Last year, Wilmington, DE real estate consumers lost confidence in the market, which caused sales to go down. Now, some of that confidence has returned, and more people will be willing to make the investment on a home. Once consumer sentiment starts to solidify, more buyers will realize that now really IS the time to buy.
•    Wilmington, DE foreclosures and short sales will likely increase. The robo-signing challenges of late 2010 caused a serious delay in the processing of several foreclosure properties, but now that the situation has been resolved, these proceedings will start back up again. This will cause the value of single-family homes to decrease and will put many homeowners underwater, which will create an increase in Wilmington, DE short sales. This sounds scary, but many lenders are already recognizing this situation and are easing the requirements needed for both refinancing and the short sale process.
•    Home values will continue to go down. With the increase in foreclosures and short sales that are about to enter the market, we will likely see the values of single family homes start to go down. This will be great news for buyers as they embark on their Wilmington, DE home search, however for sellers, this will continue to be a frustrating factor. Since the increase in foreclosures will eat up some of the buyer demand in the market and will impact appraisals, it is likely that more homes will be underwater this year.

Now that you know all about the upcoming trends in the Wilmington, DE real estate market, it’s important to be prepared. Stay smart with your finances and keep your credit scores as high as possible in order to avoid trouble with your mortgage payments. If you feel that you’re already underwater on your Wilmington, DE home, now is not the time to panic. Instead, you should contact your Wilmington, DE real estate agent and discuss your options. You may just qualify for a short sale.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any of your questions or concerns! I’d be happy to help you out in any way that I possibly can. I will make your real estate needs my priority. I hope to hear from you soon!

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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As a real estate agent who specializes in Wilmington, DE foreclosures and short sales, I am sympathetic to the fact that going through the foreclosure process is soul-crushing and heartbreaking for even the strongest of individuals. Losing your home is humiliating, devastating and difficult to recover from. If there is one thing that you need to remember if you’re in danger of losing your Wilmington, DE home, it is this:  you are not alone. Several people are having problems keeping themselves above water in their mortgage payments. You also need to remember that it may not be too late to rectify the problem.

Part of my responsibility as a Wilmington, DE real estate agent is to take on the role as a counselor and guide. When I come across a client who is struggling to make ends meet at home, I take it upon myself to be both a sympathetic ear and a strong resource for information. If I can help any of my clients avoid a Wilmington, DE foreclosure, then I absolutely do everything I can to help. These five tips could help you avoid the landmine commonly known as “foreclosure” and get yourself back on track to being a happy homeowner.

1. Don’t deny. Face the problem head-on. If you’re one of those people who throw all foreboding, bad news-bearing mail in the trash, I have one word for you: stop. Denying your financial issues won’t get you anywhere in resolving them. If you address each piece of mail as it comes, then you can possibly find a solution early-on and avoid the initial stages of the foreclosure process.

2. Contact your lender early-on and explain your situation. This sounds frightening, and it may not get you anywhere, but I ask you this: is there any harm in trying? If you call your lender when you realize that there’s a problem and explain your struggle, there’s a chance that they’ll adjust your monthly payments to be more affordable or come up with a repayment plan for missed payments. There’s something to be said about people who take responsibility for their issues early-on, and that will receive a better response than acting as though the problem doesn’t exist.

3. Study up on your mortgage rights. If you find that you’re struggling to make payments, then dig up the pile of loan documents that you received when you first bought the home. They may contain information about what your lender can do for you, should you fall behind on payments. This is valuable information to have, so don’t neglect to be aware of it. It could help you avoid a messy situation.

4. Consider selling your Wilmington, DE home. I know that this sounds extreme, but think about it. Selling your home is much better, credit-wise, than having it taken away from you. You could also use the money from the sale to pay back mortgage debt and selling costs. If your home takes awhile to sell, then chances are your lender will stop all foreclosure proceedings once the house in on the market, relieving stress.

5. Explore a Wilmington, DE short sale as an option! Although it is still bad for your credit rating, going through a short sale is still a much better option than going through a foreclosure. The term “short sale” refers to the process that takes place when a lender is willing to let a homeowner sell their property for whatever they can get. After closing, the lender takes what money the home was able to sell for, and all other debt is forgiven. While there is still a bit of a financial recovery process after a short sale, it is less damaging than a foreclosure, and you will be able to move on with your life much faster.

As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent who specializes in short sales and foreclosures, I do everything I can to ensure that anyone who approaches me and expresses that they are having financial issues avoid the painful foreclosure process. The five tips listed above are only a few of many ways that you can sidestep foreclosure on your Wilmington, DE home. If you have any questions about how you can stay above water in your home, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d love to help you in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!

Katina Geralis
Wilmington, DE Real Estate Expert
Keller Williams Realty
Wilmington Real Estate
Wilmington Homes for Sale
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In a housing market where many are having trouble obtaining the financing that they need for a home, short sales are a desirable option. The trouble is that many people have a view of short sales that is less than favorable. They believe that the property will be in bad condition or that the process to close the sale will take far too long. As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent who specializes in short sales, I think it’s important to say that while these two things can be true on occasion, the majority of short sale transactions can actually go smoothly, and that not all short sale properties are in bad condition.

There are a few tricks of the trade that I have picked up in my many years of working in Wilmington, DE short sales that I thought I’d share with you! If you follow these ten steps closely, you can close your short sale quickly and with little stress involved. Just remember one thing: in every real estate transaction, patience is important, so trust your Wilmington, DE real estate agent to guide you and get the job done.

1. Search for short sales in your area! There are plenty of short sales available in the Wilmington, DE area, so use an online database, courthouse listing or legal ads to locate properties that you may be interested in and let your agents know which ones you would like to look at!

2. Take a look at the property. Pictures and ad copy can be misleading, so it’s incredibly important to see the property for yourself before you decide to purchase a short sale. Is the house in decent condition? Will it need major work, or just a few minor repairs? If you’re in a position where you want to buy the property in order to fix it up and put it back on the market, then a house that needs work won’t be a problem. If you’re looking for something more move-in ready, however, then you may need to move on.

3. Do your research and run the numbers. How profitable will this Wilmington, DE short sale be in the long run? Even if you’re a first-time homebuyer who is looking to live in the home, there is a chance that you may want to put this property on the market one day. Is there potential for its value to go up? What is the property worth now? These are all questions that you should ask yourself before making an offer.

4. Find all liens and mortgages. You need to ask the seller or their agent what liens are on the property and who the primary lien holder is.

5. Figure out your financing. Now it gets a little tricky. You need to figure out how you are going to pay for the property. Are you going to be a cash buyer or ask the existing lender to give you a loan? If you’re a good credit risk, the latter may be a great option, and it will expedite the financing process. In order to close a short sale, you need to move quickly, so this stage is not the time to start shopping around for a mortgage.

6. Contact the lender. Either you or your Wilmington, DE real estate agent needs to contact the loss mitigation department of the existing lender and discuss the situation on the property’s current mortgage. Before doing so, get the existing owners to sign an authorization letter stating that you are allowed to contact the lender to sort this out.

7. Complete the lender’s short sale application, if needed.

8. Assemble the proposal. This is where your Wilmington, DE short sale agent will come in handy! Besides the application and authorization letter, you will need several more documents that the lender will use to review your offer. You need the purchase and sale contract between you and the seller, stating that you agreed on a price. You will also need a letter of hardship proving that the homeowner can’t pay what’s due, a statement of the property’s value, a detailed explanation of all of the costs and liabilities and a settlement statement put together by a closing agent. Have everything lined up before submitting anything to the lender.

9. Negotiate. It’s really not uncommon to go back and forth with the lender. They will likely counteroffer your initial, proposed price. Figure out what your highest limit is beforehand and stick to it. If the lender won’t meet your figure, it may be time to walk away.

10. Seal the deal. Once you’ve reached an agreement that you, the seller and the lender all approve of, then it’s time to close and claim your new piece of property!

The process might seem long and drawn-out, but if you go into your Wilmington, DE short sale transaction prepared, then you will find yourself a property owner sooner rather than later. As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent who specializes in short sales, I feel that it’s important to prepare my clients for the process ahead in order to ensure success in their transaction. Hopefully, by breaking down the process a bit, you will see that these transactions are manageable, provided that you have the right real estate agent to help you through it.

If you have any questions about Wilmington, DE short sales, don’t hesitate to contact me! I hope to hear from you soon.

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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With a new year comes a fresh look at what will happen in housing! Due to the fact that mortgage rates are set to stay low throughout 2012, many Wilmington, DE homebuyers are thinking that now is the time to start thinking about buying a home. This is an exciting and big step to take, however there is one thing that could potentially stop you from finding the Wilmington, DE home of your dreams, and that is obtaining a mortgage.

Getting a mortgage loan has been and will continue to be a challenge. The key to getting the financing you need for your Wilmington, DE real estate transaction is to become a savvy borrower. Although financing will likely be a bit challenging, if you approach your lender prepared, you will likely have success in obtaining a loan for your dream home. As a Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I feel that it’s important to help my clients through every phase of the home buying process. These six tips will help you get the financing you need for your future home.

Know your credit backward and forward. The most important step in obtaining a loan is having a good credit score. Have your most recent credit reports ready and on-hand, and if you need to, start taking steps to improve your score now.  If your credit is bad or you need some time to rectify your score, then now may not be the best time to apply for a mortgage loan.

Have your paperwork ready to go. Every lender requires very specific documents for their mortgage application. Don’t wait for your bank to ask you for them! Have all the important paperwork ready to go early and your lender will see how prepared you are.

Have a realistic price point. It’s important to know how much you can afford before approaching your lender. Calculate what you can afford ahead of time, create a budget and leave a little wiggle room for unforeseen expenses. This will help you better estimate your monthly mortgage payments and will help you get the best loan possible for your financial situation.

Don’t settle for the first lender you meet. Shop around for a mortgage. It’s important to get a few different perspectives on what loans you qualify for. Don’t rely solely on interest rates; there are other factors that should go into your decision. Meeting with a few different lenders and brokers will help you pick the best possible combination for your financing needs.

Work in a timely fashion. You could lose out on the house you want or on your loan if you don’t work within an efficient timeframe with your lender. Ask for an estimated closing date and keep following up with your lender until the transaction is closed.

Keep your credit intact…even after approval. Once you get financing, you will be relieved, but it can be taken away if your credit rating doesn’t stay put. Don’t take out new lines of credit, finance a new car or have a slew of late bill payments. Stay on top of your finances.

These are just a few of many ways that you can become a savvy borrower! Obtaining financing for a new Wilmington, DE home can be challenging, but with the right guidance and smart strategies, you can get the mortgage you need to move in. As your Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I think that that it’s important to let you know the best way to deal with any obstacles that could come your way throughout your real estate transaction.

If you have any questions about what homes are available on the Wilmington, DE real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m happy to help you whenever you need me. I hope to hear from you soon!

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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As your Wilmington, DE real estate agent, I’m asked about the outlook for our Wilmington real estate market. One of the reasons it’s hard to pin down is the presence of our shadow inventory. Every time a home comes through the shadow inventory and hits the market, it can negatively affect the values of the homes around it.

What is the shadow inventory? Simply put, it consists of homes with defaulted mortgages that will eventually go through foreclosure and hit the real estate market.

Estimates place about 2 million homes in the national shadow inventory. This number is a moving target, because as homes go through foreclosure and get sold on the market, the shadow inventory goes down. But it can also be increased if more loans turn sour. Or, if loans that were previously brought current via loan modification, fall behind again.

This is why economists look closely at the number of “new defaults” that are reported by lenders. If we want to see the light at the end of the tunnel, loans have to stop going bad. While this is easier said than done, we’ve seen some progress lately. Banks have stepped up their modification and short sale processes to try and prevent foreclosures. Between this, and some improvements in the economy, it’s hoped that the shadow inventory will shrink.

How are we sitting in Wilmington? By current industry estimates, clearing our shadow inventory could take 72 to 120 months. Why so long? The foreclosure process in Delaware isn’t quick. Each foreclosure can take from 200 days, to a year or more, to be completed. It depends on the volumes, court schedule, and whether or not the homeowner is contesting the foreclosure.

On the bright side, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that new defaults in the 3^rd quarter of 2011 were down by 7.99%. This is good news, because combating the shadow inventory is like dealing with a forest fire; half the battle is keeping it from spreading. A lower default rate now, means a smaller shadow inventory later.

My job as your Wilmington, DE real estate agent is to find ways to sell your home no matter what is pressuring the Wilmington real estate market. If you are struggling with your mortgage, or you simply need to sell your home in order to move on to another opportunity, I can help.

My experience in Wilmington, DE short sales and Wilmington, DE foreclosure sales make me uniquely qualified to handle this market. If you need to sell your Wilmington home, or if you have any questions, contact me. I will be here for you.

Wishing you the best for 2012,

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