Fall is a great time to become a homeowner in Delaware and Pennsylvania! Not only is a new season just beginning, but you have the opportunity to secure a low interest rate and settle into a home before the cold weather arrives.
But what if you’re currently a renter in Delaware or Pennsylvania? Don’t worry! The Kat Geralis Home Team has provided a few ways below that you can prepare to take advantage of this exciting time in the local real estate market.
Research all of the costs
There are more costs involved with owning a home than just your monthly mortgage payment. For first time buyers, this may come as a surprise, but with the proper amount of research, you will be able to determine exactly how much you can afford in a home. Costs like property taxes, homeowners insurance, private mortgage insurance (PMI), homeowners association fees and yearly upkeep should all be considered while you begin to search for homes in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The costs of renting vs.k ...

While the summer may be coming to a close, this time of year also tends to bring its fair share of stormy weather. Certain parts of the country have recently experienced bouts of bad weather and therefore, it’s prime time to prepare your home in Delaware and Pennsylvania for any that may be coming our way.
Take this weekend to check off the following on your storm prep to-do list. With these tips, you can both secure your home and avoid any surprises that can come from Mother Nature as we head into fall.
Emergency plan. Draft an “emergency plan” with any notes or procedures your family should follow in case of inclement weather. Designate a room in which everyone should meet during a storm.
Make repairs. Secure all broken or loose fence posts, reattach gutters or shutters. The last thing you want is for strong winds to blow these into your home or cause damage to your vehicles.
Secure landscaping. Broken or loose tree limbs should be hauled away now before the stok ...

If you're a homeowner in Delaware or Pennsylvania and thinking of moving on this year, you may be wondering the best time to list your home. Should you list yet this summer or wait until fall rolls around? Should you take your time to make updates and list toward the end of the year? Well, the answer is don't wait! There is still time to list your home this summer and score top dollar. 
That's right, summer is an ideal time to list your home in Delaware and Pennsylvania for numerous reasons— and I've listed a few of them below!
Demand is back
Buyer demand has remained relatively strong over the past few months and doesn't seem to be winding down! Listing your home in Delaware or Pennsylvania now will allow you to be seen by the buyers that are now ready and financially able to make a move on a new home!
Things will move along quickly
While we may be heading into August, believe it or not, the market is still HOT this season! By late summer, the number of buyers in the mk ...

As we’ve mentioned in past blog posts, there are many “hidden costs” of buying a home in Delaware and Pennsylvania and that goes for moving too! It is so secret that the moving process can be overwhelming. After all, you’re on your way to settle into your dream home. It’s both exciting and new and as a result, it can be easy to overlook a few key items like fees along the way.
If you’re moving to a new home in Delaware or Pennsylvania this summer, it is important to keep an eye out for these extra fees that could pop up when changing homes. Even little things like disposing of packing materials can add up in charges.
Packing and Unpacking
If you don’t take the time to carefully package each item or piece of furniture, you could risk damaging them in your move. However, some new homeowners just do not have the time to dedicate to this task. It’s understandable, but know that it can cost you!
Some moving companies will pack for you and k ...

Fall is coming fast! Compared to summer, the upcoming season can still be a busy time for homebuying in Delaware and Pennsylvania and with more sellers confident in listing their homes, it's important to keep the real estate rules of the road in mind. Below are just a few real estate rules to remember, like using an experienced real estate agent, that should help you in your home search or sale this year:
Don't Make an Offer Without Pre-ApprovalKnow what you can afford. This all starts with a pre-approval, meaning a lender has vetted your credit and financials and is willing to continue with the mortgage process. A pre-approval letter will tell the real estate agent and home seller how much you can afford in a home and the confidence that you are able to follow through on the purchase.
Use a Real Estate AgentAs this is the biggest purchase you will likely ever make, you'll want to have someone on your side who has been there before. As your trusted, experienc ...