Skip down to page content. ↓

Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

Dos and Dont's for New Homeowners in New Castle County

Wednesday, January 29, 2020
by Tucker Robbins


The closing date has been set, you are boxing up your belongings and a move is about to happen! It’s an exciting time, but some practical things should be addressed before you move in. Find out what you need to do and what you don’t need to do in your new home. 

 

Do’s 

  • - Paint--doing this before having to work around furniture and boxes makes the job go faster. 

  • - Clean everything, including carpets if you plan on keeping them. 

  • - Add storage to closets or utility rooms. 

  • - If you’re planning on upgrading the floors, do it before you get everything in the house. 

  • - Check the attic to make sure it’s adequately insulated.   

  • - Change the locks!  Every door should get a new lock, including the garage door. 

  • - Clean the ductwork and vents of the heating and cooling system.  If you’d like a deep clean, call a pro who specializes in cleaning HVAC ductwork. 

  • - If there’s a fireplace, have it inspected to be sure it’s safe and that the chimney is clean. 

  • - Find the circuit breaker box, and familiarize yourself with the switches.  If you can’t read the labels, turn each switch off and on to see what areas they control, and label them.  This is also a good time to locate your water main shut-off, so you’ll know where that is. 

 

Do Not’s 

  • - Making major changes too soon isn’t a good idea, unless necessary.  Live in your new home for a while and get a feel for what you love and what you don’t love. Waiting to remodel will allow your finances recover from the down payment and closing costs, as well. 

  • - You need to know everything that your homeowner’s insurance will cover, and what it won’t.  Make an appointment with your insurance agent to go over your information with them. 

  • - Taking a large tree down isn’t a good DIY project; this should be left to a professional, so call an arborist or neighborhood committee member to find out what you need to do if the tree is diseased or is a safety hazard. 

  • - Drilling or nailing into the walls of your new home is better done with a stud finder and make sure there isn’t any old wiring lurking behind the sheetrock.  There should be a setting on the stud finder for electric wires. 

  • - If your home is brand new, maintaining it is key.  But if you live in an older home, don’t neglect a monthly walk-around and make sure everything is okay.  You don’t want a small fix to turn into a major repair. 

  • - Saving money shouldn’t stop once you’ve bought your home!  Do your best to cut corners where you can, and continue the saving habits you got into while stocking away that down payment.   

  • - Throwing away receipts, new appliance user guides and paper work is a mistake.  Keep everything together in a folder labeled “Home Receipts,” so you can find them when you need them. 

  • - Don’t be a stranger!  Meet your neighbors before you move in; once you’re there permanently, it will be easier to invite them over for a casual get-together. 

 

Better Home and Gardens offers an extensive maintenance checklist for everything the new homeowner should know and keep track of. There are many resources for new homeowners available online, and ask your realtor for any ideas they may have to help get your new beginning off to a great start! 


Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Photo credit: AandNMortgage

Add Comment

Protect Yourself Against Internet Schemes

Wednesday, January 22, 2020
by Tucker Robbins


Email and internet scams happen everyday to innocent people, scamming them out of millions of dollars. We must be diligent about protecting ourselves, as well as elderly loved ones against cyber robbery.   

 

Emails and Websites 

  • - Avoid opening emails whose sender you don’t know personally, or haven’t signed up to receive.
     

  • - If a sender’s name looks like it’s from a legitimate site, say Google for instance, and the subject matter says that you need to enter your information after clicking a link in the body of the email, don’t.  Google and other reputable email providers, as well as your bank and credit card companies never ask you for information unless you initiate the change. 
     

  • - When you aren’t sure of a link in an email, hover over it with your cursor, and read the address that pops up at the bottom left of your screen.  Hover over this link:  www.freecadillacforyou.com. Do you see that the actual link says that it will take you to google’s homepage?  That’s how those links work.  Make sure what you’re clicking on goes to where it says it will. 
     

  • - Anyone that you don’t know that sends you an email telling you they will give you money in exchange for helping them obtain part of it is lying to you.  They are scammers and will clean out your bank account. 
     

  • - Most web browsers will let you know with a symbol or a pop-up message if a site is secure or not.  If you are trying to go to your bank’s website, but the padlock symbol on your computer is open, then you’re at the wrong place.  Don’t type any personal information--including username and password. 

 

Social Media 

  • - Many times, scammers will hijack someone’s account and create a new profile with copied photos and start sending friend requests. As soon as people accept, the imposter sends personal messages claiming to need money because they lost their wallet or debit card. Do not reply to any more messages, and report the scammer to the fraud department.   
     

  • - “What Character from The Simpsons Are You?” types of quizzes and other questionnaires that request your name and cell phone number in order for you to share with your friends will likely add a charge to your cell phone bill. 
     

  • - Be careful about complaining in a public tweet or post about your cable company going up on your rates, or your high cell phone bill.  There are scammers who comb social media for posts like that, then, posing as a customer service rep for that company, send you a direct message, offering you a discount if you’ll provide your account number and verify your credit card. You’ll see bogus charges on your next card statement.  
     

  • - Don’t click on the link for the local news story that Johnny Depp or George Clooney had a flat tire in your town and fell in love with the location, and decided to purchase a home there.  Those fake news websites will install malicious software onto your computer and gather personal information.

  •  

Not only do you need to protect yourself, but talk with your teens and elderly family and friends so they will be aware of these online scams.  The FTC offers some other tips on how to avoid being scammed.  As technology gets “smarter,” so do hackers and scammers, and we have to keep diligent watch over our personal information.  

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

 

Photo credit: twitter

Add Comment

Indoor Activities for Kids During Cold Weather

Wednesday, January 15, 2020
by Tucker Robbins


When a cold snap keeps schools and daycare centers closed for several days, and its too cold for the kids to enjoy more than a little while outside in the elements, keep them busy while staying inside at home or away from home so they can’t cry “I’m bored!” 

 

  • - Empty water bottles and a soft ball or a ball of yarn make for a fun game of bowling! Set the water bottles up and start rolling! 
     

  • - The cardboard tubes from paper towels and toilet paper can be used for several projects, including a marble run, bird feeders, and even STEM activities! 
     

  • - Different sized plastic storage bowls and a rubber ball can provide lots of fun by creating a bouncy maze.  Set up a path with the bowls, and make a game of bouncing the balls to land in each bowl. 
     

  • - Have a family competition using straws and pom-poms or cotton balls.  Using a smooth surface, place the pom-poms side by side and blow on them with the straws.  See who can get them to the finish line first! 
     

  • - Empty food boxes are great oversized blocks for building towers and forts.
     

  • - A simple thin ice game can be played by placing a tissue over a large mug and securing it with a large rubber band, leaving the tissue as tight as possible without tearing.  Place a quarter on the top, and roll a die.  The roller must poke as many holes in the tissue with a sharpened pencil, trying not to send the quarter “through the ice.” 
     

  • - Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube channel has tons of videos to choose from with different themes.  This is a fun activity to get the kids to chill and have fun at the same time. 
     

  • - The older kids don’t have to be left out.  Check out these great ideas for tweens ranging from art to math to STEM activities from whatwedoallday.com. 
     

  • - Many museums offer hands-on exhibits for children, and even free admission if the kids are under a certain age.   
     

  • - Go roller skating or take advantage of the cold temps and hit up an ice skating rink.  Grab a hot chocolate afterwards at a local coffee shop. 
     

  • - Find a family-friendly Escape Room studio in your area and spend the afternoon working together to get out! 
     

  • - Many local artists are offering inexpensive paint-and-take sessions for kids and families.  Search on Facebook or your local arts councils for this memory-making venture. 

 

Don’t let cabin fever rule in your home.  Whether you choose to stay inside and play some DIY games, or get outside and enjoy some local indoor activities, Wintertime doesn’t have to be boring.  

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: morespaceplace.com

Add Comment

Condo vs. Townhouse vs. Duplex

Wednesday, January 8, 2020
by Tucker Robbins


When you make the decision to buy a new home, and don’t have time or the ability to take care of maintenance for a large house and yard, you can always opt for a condominium, townhouse or duplex.  But what is the difference in these types of homes?  Read on to find out and find which is right for you! 

 

Condominium (Condo) 

  • - As defined by the Business Dictionary, a condominium is a “Single, individually-owned housing unit in a multi-unit building.” In some cases, a condo is in a co-op, which is much different than owning a single unit. 
     

  • - Architecture of the buildings varies, but the exteriors and common areas are owned by the Homeowners Association (HOA). 
     

  • - Most condo HOA’s offer community perks, such as a pool, community center, playground, tennis courts, or workout gym. Landscaping is taken care of, and many condo complexes offer gated security. 
     

  • - Homeowners insurance premiums are normally lower, as the owners only insure the unit’s interior. 
     

  • - Perks come with a fee, and that will vary from HOA to HOA. House hunters are given this information up front so they can be sure they can handle the added fees in their budget. 

 

Townhouse 

  • - “Two or three storied single-family housing unit, often connected other such units via party walls.” --Business Dictionary 
     

  • - Unlike condos, townhouse buyers own the exterior of the unit as well as the interior. 
     

  • - Architecturally-speaking, the exterior of townhouses in a neighborhood are generally the same style.  
     

  • - Owning the exterior of a townhouse means you have control of its appearance.  While those communities that have an HOA means you may be limited to certain paint colors, etc., owners otherwise have free rein for upgrades. 
     

  • - Not every townhouse community is part of an HOA, but either way, the owner is responsible for the upkeep of the landscaping. Some non-HOA neighborhoods still have a few perks, but upkeep for these amenities isn’t a given. 

 

Duplex 

  • - Moneycrashers.com defines a duplex as “...a house or building with separate entrances for two families. The units can either be on separate floors (i.e. two-story house) or side by side.” 
     

  • - Purchasing a duplex usually means you will be purchasing both units--one whole building, though you will find some municipalities that allow half-unit sales. The owner is solely responsible for upkeep of interior, exterior and landscaping. 
     

  • - For ‘sandwich’ families, a duplex meets important needs: aging parents can live close by their families but have the privacy of their own home. 
     

  • - Perfect for someone who is interested in a starter investment, renting out the other unit will help with the mortgage, taxes and utilities if the unit shares those meters. 

  •  

Multi-unit housing is a great choice and many times, the final decision boils down to location and how much a part of the community you care to be involved in, as well as your budget.  Do your research carefully and talk to your REALTOR®, so you can make the best decision about whether you go with multi-unit housing, or a single-family home. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.  

 

Photo credit: condo.com

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

Syndication

Categories

Archives

Quick Search

Contact Information

Photo of Tucker Robbins Real Estate
Tucker Robbins
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
3838 Kennett Pike
Wilmington DE 19807
(302) 777-7744 (direct)
Send an Email