Existing and potential homeowners are looking at real estate from all angles as the U.S. economy and local housing markets continue their recovery. For many, there is strong appeal in buying brand-new homes as myriad builder incentives and low interest rates create significant value. Today’s new homes boast exciting floor plans and designs tailored for specific lifestyles — complete with a huge array of features…
The spring market is here with a good number of buyers and low inventory. Buyers realize that home prices are still low, but the historically low mortgage rates may not last beyond this year. A good home in a solid location with a realistic listing price will attract multiple buyers and offers. Home buyers can make their offers stand out from the rest through one…
You may love your home, but that doesn’t mean that everyone coming through the door will feel the same way. What may be “charming” to the seller may seem off-putting to a prospective buyer. Many sellers attempt to stage their home themselves and, in doing so, create mistakes that can actually sidetrack the sale of their homes. Your home may be decorated is a manner…
It’s been another crazy season of weather with snow, rain and wind storms damaging houses throughout the Brandywine Valley. All home sellers should take a close look at their property for storm damage and make necessary repairs. After any powerful storm, it’s a smart idea to check your roof for any damage and ensure there are no missing shingles and no cracks around any skylights.…
While the warmer months are generally regarded as the time for home sellers to get their property ready for sale, marketing the home in winter and early spring is just as important. Homebuyers are out looking for homes 12 months a year in the Chadds Ford area and there’s no reason to drop the ball on sprucing up a home January through March. Here are…
One of the great debates in real estate concerns the prospect of keeping a house on the market during the holiday season. Some argue that the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is busy enough without the worry of buying a home, while others like the prospects since active buyers are generally more serious about settling on a home. A downside for the seller…
There’s a scene in “The Princess Bride” where the villainous Vizzini offers his adversary an invisible, odorless and tasteless poison. While his description is meant to conjure laughs, he could have just as easily been talking about radon gas. You can’t see, smell or taste radon, yet exposure to the gas can make you sick. In fact, the Surgeon General’s office has warned that radon…
The U.S. Green Business Council recently reported that single-family homes are responsible for approximately 20 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. By living in a green home, people can help reduce the causes of climate change. Studies show that more homebuyers are looking to purchase homes that have eco-friendly features. “We put out a homebuyer and seller survey annually and studies show people are…
When people enter your home they usually look down before up, so that first step is vital for attracting a homebuyer and making a great first impression. This is one reason why more people are installing hardwood floors in their homes. Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that will beautify the interior design of your home. Residential…
Mortgage lenders dissect the entire credit history of a potential client with strict attention to income, credit, collateral and assets. Of the four, assets are perhaps the least discussed yet may be the most important in securing credit and buying a home. Simply put, assets include the amount of money needed for the down payment, in addition to closing costs, pre-paid costs such as insurance…
Residential real estate in the Brandywine Valley is gaining stability in concert with the recovering U.S. economy. Consumers are drawn to the attractive buyers’ markets with historically low interest rates and lower home prices. They are returning to the market to move up, trade down, improve location and otherwise enhance their share of the American Dream. When it comes to home buying, the ideal situation…