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Buying a Home After Financial Setbacks

Wednesday, July 27, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Filing bankruptcy or losing your home to foreclosure does not mean the end of the road for financial success afterwards.  It can be scary to even think about buying another house, but it is not impossible! Check out these tips to help you back on your way to homeownership: 

 

  • Probably the most important thing to do is to pay all of your bills on time and in full. This will get your credit score climbing back up to a number that will look good to lenders. 
     

  • The bankruptcy process begins and ends with required financial courses.  Ask for a fee waiver so the added costs are not a burden. 
     

  • If your last home went into foreclosure, there are waiting periods for applying for a mortgage: three years for FHA loans, seven years for Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac loans, two years for Veterans Affairs loans, three years for USDA loans, and other lenders have different waiting periods. 
     

  • The homebuying process is different for those above-mentioned agencies when it comes to past bankruptcy. It simply depends on the type of bankruptcy filed. 
     

  • Going through a short sale may be a different situation, but this process has a waiting period as well. The average wait time to apply for a mortgage is two to seven years. 
     

  • Some financial institutions may ask for an explanation–in writing–about the situation that led to the foreclosure or short sale, as well as what you learned during the process.   
     

  • Extenuating circumstances, such as a major illness or job loss, can make a difference in how long you have to wait to apply for a mortgage.  Be prepared with any paperwork that shows your loss of income or increase of debt. 

 

When you are ready to start house-hunting, find a RealtorⓇ that is experienced with assisting those who have experienced financial hardship and lost a home in the past.  They have a wealth of knowledge to help you every step of the way on the path to a fresh start! 

 

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

 

Photo credit: forbes.com 

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Keeping Cool Without Turning Down the AC

Wednesday, July 20, 2022
by Tucker Robbins


Let’s face it:  Summer heat waves can drain the energy from our bodies, but it can also drain the money right out of our bank accounts when the energy bill comes due.  Turning the thermostat down seems logical, but not always the best thing to do to cool the house off.  Here are some practical things we can do to help our AC keep the home comfortable: 

 

  • - Keeping shades drawn in rooms where the sun comes streaming in is a great first defense on staying cool inside.  Doing this simple thing can lower the inside temps 30%! 
     

  • - When you’re away, program the thermostat to 80°, and then down to 75° once you are home.  No need to cool an unoccupied house, and leaving it off completely causes not only heat, but humidity, to build up. If those settings seem warm, give it a week, and you’ll find that your body acclimates to the warmer temperatures! 
     

  • - Utilizing fans is an inexpensive way to help stay cool; your ceiling fan should be turning counterclockwise (find the direction toggle switch near the fan speed chain), and floor fans should blow towards you at a comfortable speed. 
          

  • - Planting large shrubbery and plants with heavy foliage on the sunny sides of the house not only makes the landscaping attractive, the plants help block the heat, making the outside cooler, thus, the inside will stay cooler. 
     

  • - Permanent awnings and shutters are easy ways to block sun, as are retractable curtain awnings.   
     

  • - Allowing all interior doors to stay open will help the air circulate fully and helps keep hot spots from forming.  Leave air registers open, even in unoccupied rooms, to avoid putting a strain on ductwork over time. 
     

  • - Using a dehumidifier will, obviously, reduce the moisture in the air, making the house feel cooler. 
     

  • - Time your clothes-drying and dishwashing for nighttime hours and keep the house cooler in the daytime and save on your electric bill. Most energy companies have off-peak consumption hours at night and early mornings. 
     

  • - Cooking will heat up the kitchen, so learn how to plan your cooking early or later in the day and make use of a toaster oven creates less heat than turning the oven on. 

 

One of the best things you can do to help your unit running well and keeping things cool is maintenance!  Have a pro come and service it, change filters when they are visibly dirty, make sure the evaporator drain can run freely, and keep the air flowing nicely around the unit. 

 

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

Photo credit: onehourmiamisouth.com

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Travel Safely This Summer

Wednesday, July 13, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

A summertime getaway is just what many need to visit faraway family, spend time learning about other places, or simply to relax and have fun. Keep these tips in mind to make your trip as safe as possible: 

 

  • Before hitting the road in the family vehicle, schedule a check-up–for the car! Have a reputable mechanic to check the engine and parts thoroughly, including all fluids, belts, and the battery, and make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated.   
     

  • Pack items that you will need for emergencies where they can be easily accessed. Purchase one of the many emergency car kits that suits your needs or make your own kit and keep them in a storage tote. A small first-aid kit should be kept in the glove compartment, especially when the kids are traveling, too.  
     

  • Check the forecast for all of your travel days. Summer heat means afternoon thunderstorms, and you will need to know where you can safely pull over if rain and wind become too heavy for driving.
     

  • When using electronic navigation, be sure that the destination address is correct, and that the map is routed correctly. Print or purchase a paper map to consult in case you pass through areas where there is a poor signal is a must.  
     

  • Air travel means added time to your day. Once at the airport, distribute the kids between the adults and go to different security screening lines, and your wait will be shorter. 
     

  • Before getting comfortable on the plane, using alcohol-based disinfectant cloths, wipe everything down, giving extra attention to the food tray and the back of the seat pocket area. 
     

  • If possible, leave your cell phone at home and opt for a prepaid cell phone to stay in touch. 

  • When you are not using Wi-Fi, disable it on your device, as well as the Bluetooth signal. Public connections can give hackers easy access to your stored personal data. 
     

  • Upon arrival at your hotel or rental home, ask for the official Wi-Fi router name and password, and see if there are other networks available throughout the property. Fake wireless connections can be created by hackers, leaving your personal information at risk of being breached.  
     

  • If paying for something online is your only option, disable your cell's Wi-Fi connection and use your cellular data as a security measure. 

 

While you are looking forward to some fun in the sun, it is important to keep yourself, your family, and your digital presence safe. Some mishaps are unavoidable, but when you are prepared, it makes your time away from home more fun and less stressful! 

 

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

 

Photo credit: PRETEND Magazine

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Tips for Late Season Gardening

Wednesday, July 6, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Hopefully, this time of year has gardeners busy harvesting vegetables and enjoying their landscapes that are bursting with blooms! This is not the time of the gardening season to slack up, no matter the heat.  Late summertime in the garden is just as important as planning time. Here are some tips to help keep things growing: 

 

Vegetable Gardens 

  • - Mulching is imperative for keeping the soil moist as well as saving time and money.  A free mulch can be applied by laying down grass clippings every time you mow. Getting clippings from others is great, too; just be certain there are no weed seeds or unwanted chemicals used on their lawns.
     

  • - Keep your garden rows covered with a generous layer of compost to fertilize through the rest of the Summer. The nutrients will seep into the soil whenever you water the garden. 
     

  • - Pinch blooming herbs back to extend their growing season. If the herb garden is giving more than you can use, give some away or freeze them.  
     

  • - Afternoon storms sometimes bring heavy winds. Check around fruit trees afterward for windfalls--rotting fruit is an invitation for unwelcome pests that can kill your trees. 
     

  • - Have you already cleaned out a few garden rows?  Planting a summer cover crop helps discourage weeds and will be beneficial to the soil when you till it in. 

 

Landscaping and Flower Gardens 

  • - Weeds do not need pampering like your ornamental plants, so pull them as soon as possible. Allowing them to get large enough to flower will mean spreading more seeds and creating more work for yourself. 
     

  • - Annual flowers need deadheading, (removing spent blooms.)  This will encourage them to continue to blossom and provide full color until autumn. 
     

  • - When flowering shrubs start outgrowing their space, they may need pruning, but be certain you are pruning at the right time of year. For instance, a fading hydrangea should be pruned now to keep from cutting off next spring’s buds. Camellias and other late spring bloomers have already formed new buds. Wait until after they have bloomed to prune. 
     

  • - Spending some time away from home?  If you have asked a neighbor to watch over your plants, make sure you get someone with gardening experience.  You do not want to come home to plants that are dying because they were over- or under-watered. 

 

Try to get outside first thing in the morning or in the last few hours of daylight to avoid getting too hot when working in the garden or yard.  Hydrate yourself, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, and take cooling-off breaks if you get too uncomfortable.  Take care of yourself so you can enjoy the fruits--and veggies--of your labor! 

 

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

 

Photo credit: Garden View Landscape

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