January 29, 2010
Now is the time for home owners contemplating a spring sale to spruce up their properties in anticipation of what Mike Larson of Weiss Research calls a potentially vibrant home-selling season. “If you have been beating your head against a wall, this is going to feel a lot better,” he says. Here are 10 cheap ways to make a property more attractive to shoppers:
1) Improve first impressions. Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that buyers see first.
2) Clean up the landscaping. Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.
3) Paint the interior. A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.
4) Refurbish the floors. Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.
5) Take care of the big problems. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.
6) Buy warranties. Putting appliances under warranty gives homebuyers a secure feeling.
7) Improve energy efficiency. New windows or improved insulation tells a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.
8) Replace light fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.
9) Buy a stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.
10) Tidy up the bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking, and replace stained sinks.
From Realtor.Com 1/29/2010
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Advice for Home Buyers, Advice for Home Sellers | Tagged: Advice for Home Sellers, Selling Your Home | 
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
January 19, 2010
The Home Buyers Tax Credit is not just for buyers who have never owned a home before. ANYONE who owns a home now could be qualified. This is EXTREMELY good news for the many retirees who are moving to Delaware, yet some of my clients are confused or unaware of the current home buyer’s tax credit. They think that it is STILL just for people who haven’t owned a home in the last 3 years. This is just not true!
The latest version of the tax rebate program provides for up to a $6,500 tax credit for REPEAT buyers – meaning anyone who has owned a home and lived in it for 5 of the last 8 years and is selling that home and buying another home (with a contact in place by April 30th of this year) will benefit!
So if you own a home and are thinking about moving up or downsizing or just moving someplace else – now’s the time! Inventory is still plentiful, interest rates are still low (but may be going up soon – my next post will cover this!) and you get an extra $6500 savings to spend however you want!
Here’s a link to the National Association of Realtors article that explains the Homebuyers Tax Credit in detail.
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
December 6, 2009
Linda Quigley was my settlement coordinator for the last 14 years and she retired at the end of November. Linda asked me not to make a fuss over her retirement but that’s not how things are done around here! So in spite of her protestations, I hosted a very small gathering at my house to send her off with a full belly and a champagne toast. After our toast she made a short speech saying that she was glad I had ignored her request and she was happy to see everyone who made it. We had had also had company and an office goodbye party before this night so this was really the only opportunity for those who knew Linda from outside the office to say goodbye. I will miss her in the office but we will stay in touch.
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
November 25, 2009
According to the Kiplinger Report there are some great deals to be had in commercial real estate as some hard-pressed owners are being forced to sell at fire-sale prices.
According to the Kiplinger, the bottom for commercial properties won’t come until the middle of 2010 but if you wait until then you might lose out. They also advise not to skimp on due diligence.
This ”fire sale” opportunity in commercial property (and even some resort residential properties with rental income) is currently going on in the Sussex County, Delaware market as well and even includes some properties with decent income. Call me if you’d like to know more. (302) 645-6664.
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
November 17, 2009
Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour (self-guided), on Friday November 27th and Saturday November 28th, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 19 artists’ studios throughout Southeastern Sussex County will be open and artists will demonstrate or display their crafts. Tour includes a raffle with a work donated by each artist with a value of more than $5,000. Raffle tickets are available for $10; $25 for three tickets. All proceeds to benefit the art departments at local schools. For more details and to get your free downloadable map to the studioes, visit www.artstudiotour.com.
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
November 17, 2009
Epworth United UM Church is hosting a free thanksgiving Day diner at 1 PM at the churfch on Holland Glade Road, just North of Rehoboth Beach, DE. Call 302-227-7743, ext 125 and leave them your name and how many people you will be bringing.
Long Neck United Methodist Church will also be hosting a free thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 pm at the church on Long Neck Road, east of Millsboro, DE. For details call 302-947-9221.
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
November 8, 2009
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
AND ALSO expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
The bill would extend the present $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers through April 30, 2010. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit through April 30, provided they have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as principal residence for five consecutive years in the past eight years.
If potential home buyers have a binding contract on or before April 30th, they will have until July 1 to close the transaction.
Income limits for eligible home buyers are expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. The purchase price of the home cannot exceed $800,000. To help guard against fraud, buyers are required to attach documentation of purchase to their tax return.
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
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Posted by Lee Ann Wilkinson
