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Is Buying a FSBO Right For You?

Wednesday, April 26, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

During the house hunt, many potential homeowners take an interest in a home that is being offered For Sale By Owner (FSBO). What is the risk to the buyer? These tips will guide you through the decision-making process: 

 

  • - The buyer will need to know how to negotiate the asking price. Since the majority of FSBO sellers do not have the experience to set a good market value on their home, their price will likely be too high. 
     

  • - There may be a wait time to see the home. Most homeowners have work and other responsibilities and can only show the property at their convenience. 
     

  • - Unless you have real estate experience, you will have some unfamiliar responsibilities: making sure you are paying the right price for the property by performing a comparative market analysis, negotiating credits or repairs with the owner after the inspection, finding the right title insurance company, and deciding how much each party will pay during closing.  
     

  • - A seller may try to discourage a house hunter from getting a home inspection, stating that their house is in well-maintained condition. Even brand-new houses should be inspected before changing owners, and the seller is required to have a disclosure statement ready for you to read over. 
     

  • - Once you make an offer, the owner may want to wait before accepting in hopes they receive a higher offer from someone else. In a scenario like this, and there is no urgent need for them to move, you may have to walk away from the deal. 
     

  • - When you are represented by a buyer’s agent, and there is no disclosure in the property listing that the seller will pay buyer agent fees, ask the seller directly or walk away. Your agent has put a great deal of time and effort into the house hunt and deserves proper compensation. 
     

  • - Do your own research on the house, make sure the person you have talked with is the actual owner, and proceed with caution. Some scams involve an empty house, FSBO signs, and criminals who will take your money and run, all while posing as the rightful owner. 

 

All said and done, not every seller is going to be dishonest, but the best tip for a potential homebuyer is to ask a RealtorⓇ to represent them. A licensed real estate agent knows all of the ins and outs of purchasing a home and will protect your interest as a home buyer, whether you want a home that is being sold by its owner or one being marketed by another agent. Either way, you will need the experience and knowledge that a real estate agent has to offer. 

 

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

 

Photo credit: www.smartagents.com

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How to Go Green This Spring

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

Have you ever given any thought on taking part in going green?  If so you have come to the right place.  Below are a few tips on how you and your family can go green this spring!   Why not add going green to your spring cleaning list!  

 

  •  One way that you and your family can go green this spring is to simply take your shoes off before you enter your house!  You read that right; you can go green by simply taking off your shoes. 40% of all indoor contaminants actually come from the bottom of our shoes so do your part to keep this from happening to you and your family by taking those shoes off!  
     

  • Learn what ingredients are considered to be green so that when you go to the store to purchase all of your new green cleaners you can be confident that you are actually doing some good for the environment.  Some companies that claim to be green actually have some ingredients that are not green once they are mixed together.   Just read up on what ingredients are green and what ingredients are not and are typically passed off as green and you should be heading in the right direction on what to buy and what not to buy.  
     

  • Don’t forget the outside of your home when you are going green.  Many grasses are able to grow and thrive without the help of any type of pesticides and /or fertilizers.  The best way to start going green with the outside of your home is to replace the grass you currently have with native grasses to your particular area.  One perk of this switch is that you may find that you have a lot less upkeep of your lawn once you do this!  Who wouldn’t enjoy having more time with their family and less time doing yard work on a weekly basis! 

     

These are just a few ways in which you can help to make your home a bit more green this spring.  Once you get started going green it is likely that you will find more and more ways in which to do so.  It can become addicting once you make the decision to go green in and around your home! 

 

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

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Creative and Budget-Friendly Organization Ideas

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
by Tucker Robbins


We have all seen the beautiful dream closets: they are filled with drawers, shoe shelves, a vanity, and many other bells and whistles, but all come with a hefty price tag. Organizational gadgets can cost quite a bit, but there are many ways to get organized without spending a lot-- just get creative! 

 

Closets 

  • - Extend room for lighter clothing items, such as blouses and shirts, by using tension rods placed at the top and bottom of your closet. Add shower curtain hooks to store purses and other odd-shaped items. 
     

  • - Family Handyman demonstrates how to use a plant-hanger chain to store multiple shirts and blouses. 
     

  • - Mount a short curtain rod on the back of the closet door to hang scarves, and store more by using clip-style curtain rings to hang hats and gloves to keep them handy. 
     

  • - This use of tension rods for shoe storage is a great storage hack! 

 

Bedrooms 

  • - Create under-the-bed storage by upcycling old dresser drawers by adding adhesive felt or swivel caster wheels to the bottoms. Or get empty suitcases out of the attic and put them to use by storing seasonal clothing under the bed. 
     

  • - Turn a bookshelf into a headboard and create space for odd items such as remotes, glasses, morning medicines, and, of course, books. 
     

  • - No more rummaging through a mish-mash of cosmetics in a bag! This DIY magnetic makeup board is a great way to keep makeup handy and easy to find. 
     

  • - In the kids' room, mount wire wall planters and place books, plush toys, or arts and crafts items within a little one's reach. 

 

In the Kitchen 

  • - Get the pots and pans out of the cabinets by hanging them! Hang them on a wall or try this DIY ladder pot rack! 
     

  • - Keep the infamous junk drawer tidy by using a clean egg carton or small muffin tin; both are perfect for keeping small items organized. 
     

  • - Inexpensive dollar store baskets can be filled with cans, spices, and baking items for pull-out storage in the pantry. The baskets keep them neat and easy to access. 
     

  • - Place large utensils in a cookie jar on the counter to keep them within reach while cooking. 
     

  • - A wall file holder mounted on the inside of a cabinet door is transformed into a container lid holder. 

 

Begin your organization plans by decluttering, then using what you can afford or DIY to make it happen. Putting your home in order can be pretty, practical, and inexpensive! 

 

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

 

Photo credit: www.womansday.com

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Does Your Home Need an Energy Audit?

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

Energy audits are becoming more common among homeowners as a way to save money on energy costs as well as check their carbon footprint. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, an energy audit is a process to “assess how much energy a home consumes and evaluate measures to make the home more energy efficient." Is an energy audit something your home needs? This checklist will assist you in answering that question! 

 

  • Musty Odors:  When certain rooms, mainly bathrooms, have a musty smell or form mold quickly in between cleanings, there could be a hidden moisture problem that can cause more serious issues if it remains unchecked. 
     

  • Window Problems:  Can you feel cold or hot air seeping in from the outside when near a window? Is there condensation on the glass, no matter the season? These are obvious signs that your windows are interfering with the energy efficiency in your home. 
     

  • Insulation: Attic insulation requirements have changed over the years. When you are in the attic, can you see most of the joists in between the insulation? That is a sure sign there is not enough insulation to keep it heated and cooled efficiently. 
     

  • Comfort Level:  Are some rooms too cold, some too hot, or just the opposite? While everyone feels differently as a matter of personal preference, your home should not have major differences from room to room when it comes to temperature and comfort level. 
     

  • High Energy Bills:  The different components that use electricity in your home can add up if they are not running properly. If your HVAC is short-cycling, or you have outlets and/or electric cords that get too hot, or light bulbs burn out before they should, these are all problems that will add up on your power bill if not checked. 
     

  • There are two different levels of an energy audit for a house. Level one is a basic walk-through assessment, and level two begins with the basics in level one and includes an energy survey and analysis. 

  • - Homeowners can perform their own level one audit, and the U.S. Department of Energy offers a list of what you can check for without paying a professional. 
     

  • - This Old House offers a video that demonstrates a level two energy audit using different pieces of equipment and processes the pros use to assess your home’s energy use.  

 

The age of your home does not matter! Newer homes can be as energy inefficient as older homes! Once you have determined that your home could use some help to become a better consumer of energy, use the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET®) Home Energy Rating member finder for a list of energy audit professionals in your area. Do your homework on each one in your area to find the right one for your needs and budget. 

 

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

 

Photo credit: www.greenmountainenergy.com/

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Tucker Robbins
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
3838 Kennett Pike
Wilmington DE 19807
(302) 777-7744 (direct)
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