Wednesday, May 31, 2023 / by Alex O'Brien
The real estate market is a dynamic space, constantly shifting between buyer’s and seller’s markets. As your local real estate experts in Delaware and Pennsylvania, you can count on The Kat Geralis Home Team to walk you through what it means to be in a seller’s market and the implications it has for both buyers and sellers. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone involved in real estate transactions and we are happy to help!
What Is a Seller’s Market?
A seller’s market occurs when the demand for homes exceeds the supply, giving sellers the upper hand in negotiations. In such a market, the competition among buyers is fierce, resulting in multiple offers and often driving up prices. Inventory is typically low, with homes selling quickly and often above asking price. This situation puts sellers in a favorable position to negotiate terms and conditions that are more advantageous to them.
Rising Home Prices
One of the defining characteristics of k ...
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delaware real estate, delaware area homes, delaware real estate market, pennsylvania real estate, delaware homeowners, delaware home sellers, home seller tips, home value
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 / by Alex O'Brien
With inflation raising the costs of goods and services, you may be looking for ways to bring down expenses around your Delaware or Pennsylvania home. One of those ways is introducing energy efficient upgrades and changes to lower your energy costs and make smarter choices for the environment.
There are many simple and inexpensive ways to increase your DE or PA home’s energy efficiency. Here are some tips to get you started:
Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting
One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is to switch to LED light bulbs. They use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer.
Seal air leaks
Air leaks around doors and windows can cause drafts, making your heating and cooling systems work harder. Use weather stripping and caulking to seal any gaps and cracks around your doors and windows.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home based on yk ...
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delaware real estate, delaware area homes, delaware real estate market, pennsylvania real estate, delaware homeowners, delaware home sellers, home seller tips, home improvement, home value
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 / by Alex O'Brien
Selling your home in Delaware or Pennsylvania is a major decision with many moving parts. From preparing the property for sale to choosing the listing price to accepting the best offer and finally, reaching the closing table— it is essential to work with your real estate agent to ensure you stay on top of it all! If not, you may find yourself facing obstacles like a lower than expected home value. But lucky for you, that can be avoided!
Below are five factors that can bring down your home value. Keep these in mind in order to keep your home sale process in Delaware or Pennsylvania running as smoothly as possible:
Poor location
While you may not be able to move your property to another location prior to listing, if it is in a less than ideal location, know that it may not rank as highly as you’d like. There is a reason that the phrase “location, location, location” is so common in real estate and it does have a big impact on your value!
Your neighbors
Your yk ...
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delaware real estate, delaware area homes, delaware real estate market, pennsylvania real estate, delaware homeowners, delaware home sellers, home seller tips, new construction, new construction delaware, new construction pennsylvania, home value, home improvement
Thursday, March 23, 2023 / by Alex O'Brien
With mortgage rates rising and home prices following suit, many Delaware and Pennsylvania residents have begun the process of listing their properties to take advantage of this exciting time in the market. But one common disconnect between homeowners and their agents is the price at which they believe they should list the property.
The price homeowners have in mind is oftentimes not realistic for the local market and takes into account a variety of factors including their emotional ties to the home. Finding a comfortable price for you can be a major obstacle when selling your home and you may need to compromise— just take a look at these common reasons homeowners overprice their homes in Delaware and Pennsylvania:
You think your decor is the best
Naturally, your home in DE or PA will represent your unique tastes and style, but keep in mind that it may not do the same for other buyers. Your knick-knacks, bright colors on the walls and large furniture items can get in the k ...
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delaware real estate, delaware area homes, delaware real estate market, pennsylvania real estate, delaware homeowners, delaware home sellers, home seller tips
Thursday, March 9, 2023 / by Alex O'Brien
While you may be watching mortgage rates rise (the average 30-year fixed rate currently hovering around 7 percent) and the number of homes to choose from on the lower end, there is one important concept to consider— buying a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania is still a better investment than renting.
We know that buying a home can feel like a major obstacle for many first-timers in Delaware and Pennsylvania, but passing on the opportunity this year could create an even bigger hurdle later as rents will only continue to rise and the days of the 3 percent mortgage rate may be long behind us.
Below are three reasons why homeownership still makes more sense than renting in DE and PA:
Homeownership Builds Wealth
Homeownership allows area residents to start building equity and long-term wealth. It is a way to provide stability for households and a means of reinvesting wealth, into your own pocket. If you continue to rent, tossing more money out the window each year,k ...
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delaware real estate, delaware area homes, delaware real estate market, pennsylvania real estate, delaware homeowners, delaware home sellers, home seller tips, homebuyer tips, homebuyers, homebuying tips, new construction, new construction delaware, new construction pennsylvania