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Displaying blog entries 11-20 of 57

Items to Throw Out Before You Move

by Tucker Robbins

 

Although moving from an old house into a new house can be an exciting time it can also be a very stressful time for those folks who don’t like to throw anything out.  Don’t worry you can keep most of your items but there are a few that should most definitely be thrown out before you move and those are listed for you below.   

 

  1. 1. If you have a lot of old towels and rags lying around your house, whether you use them or not, you might want to get rid of those before you move  into another home.  These types of things can carry bacteria on them and you don’t want to start out in your new place with dirty items when you can purchase new ones once you arrive. 

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  1. 2. Make-up is good to have but it does have a shelf life and once that has passed it isn’t really good to keep it around.  Avoid the compulsion to throw all of your old makeup into a box and take it with you.  Although you might perhaps use it once or twice there really is no need for it because it won’t look as nice as a new pallet of makeup.   

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  1. 3. Soaps, deodorants, nail polish,  and sunscreen maybe things you use on a regular basis but you really don’t need to take up space in your moving boxes for these types of items.  These things don’t cost a lot of money and can easily be purchased anywhere.  

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  1. 4. Once you start packing and you find a ton of USB cables, realize that you don’t need them all and get rid of a few of them.   You may have a friend in need of a USB cable that you can bless with one or two.   

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  1. 5. Don’t pack paperwork unless it is absolutely necessary.  Of course you will have to keep important contracts and tax information but most of the paperwork you’ve collected over the years is likely now obsolete and can be thrown out before you head out.   

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  1. 6. Last but not least, go ahead and let go of all of the clothes you can no longer fit into.  Donating these types of items can many times be a big blessing to others.   

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These are just a few ideas of things you might want to get rid of before you move.  By doing this you will avoid having to unpack all sorts of unnecessary items and will save yourself a ton of time in the process.   

 

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

 

Photo credit: Budget Dumpster

Downsizing for Retirees or Empty Nesters

by Tucker Robbins

Your children have flown from the nest, or maybe retirement is not so far away.  Do you still need all of the space your current home has? Or maybe the idea of selling and buying a smaller home and save the profit for a boost to your retirement income.  Whatever the reason, many empty nesters and retirees are downsizing. Let’s look at these things to consider: 

 

  • - Downsizing can be a huge change for most, and planning for it is the key.  Talk with your partner, your family and friends, tell them of your thoughts, and have some of them help you start a Downsize Plan.  
     

  • - Think practically when you’re thinking about what sort of house you’d like to buy.  You don’t want to go so much smaller that you don’t feel at home.    
     

  • - Do you want to stay in the general area you are currently in, or do you want to move across the country? Maybe you’d like to have an adventure and travel.  
     

  • - Look at your budget and go through it very carefully.  Even with a home sale, your new place could be in a more expensive area, with property taxes and higher utility costs.  Choose carefully so you save more of the profit from the old house’s sale. 
     

  • - We don’t like to think about aging, but one consideration you should be taking is that if this will be your last home, make sure it will work for you as you get older.  In case of mobility issues later on, a single-story house that will be easier to maneuver around in, or one with a smaller yard for less maintenance is best when house-hunting. 
     

  • - The thought of maintaining our landscaping can make us groan as we get older in more ways than one, so consider a condominium or townhouse to relocate to. Be sure to ask if there are extra maintenance fees in these communities. 
     

  • - Once you make your decision, contact a realtor in the area with questions about the housing market, as they can assist you with figuring out how much your house would sell for, as well as finding a smaller and affordable home for you to buy or even consider a rental for a while. 
     

  • - Once you decide to sell and relocate, start the first step of the moving process of going through your belongings, and deciding what you’ll have room for in a smaller home.  This downsizing article from Sixty&Me.com has some extreme but practical advice to help you start this emotional task. - -Get the family involved if your children still have belongings stored in your attic or spare room. 
     

  • - If the thought of cutting out so many of your belongings is too daunting, find a professional organizer who can help.  Look for one that specializes in downsizing. 
     

  • - You have probably acquired a houseful of furniture, and a smaller home means less space to place what you have now.  Talk to family members who may want pieces that you have, sell some furniture, or donate practical items to a shelter or thrift store. 

 

Preparing for the later years in life can be daunting.  If you’re getting ready for retirement, or dreading the thought of the last child leaving home, downsizing and a new beginning can actually be something to look forward to.  Be sure to share your housing concerns and desires with your real estate agent, who will do all they can to find the perfect home for you to make every moment enjoyable for you for years to come. 

 

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

 

Photo credit: debt.org

How to Know When Its Time To Sell Your Home

by Tucker Robbins

You may have thought about selling your home before but you just aren’t sure now is the time.  There are a few signs that now is the correct time to sell your home and some of those signs are listed below for you so that you can be sure you’re making the right decision. 

  1. If your home has gotten a bit too small for your growing family and you are trying daily how to figure out where to put everyone, you may need to put your house on the market.  If you are making your kids bunk together and then trying to add another baby to the mix, you may need to purchase a home that will be more able to fit your needs. 
     
  2. If you have changed to a job that has taken you father away from your home than you had anticipated and therefore has caused your daily commute to be longer than you like, it may be time to sell your home.   Selling your home for a job change is a big reason that many folks sell. 
     
  3. If your lifestyle has changed and you simply don’t have time to take care of your home anymore, you may want to sell it.  This can be caused by such things as your children moving out and you becoming empty nesters.  Many times the room you once needed becomes way too much for just you and your husband once your kids move out. 
     
  4. If you need a bigger home to accommodate your growing family but the thought of remodeling sends your head into a spin, you may want to go ahead and put your house on the market to see if you have any interest in it first. 
     
  5. If you have equity in your home and you want to take advantage of the great rates that are currently available before they disappear you may want to go ahead and put your house on the market. 
     
  6. If you live in a neighborhood in which a lot of houses are currently selling, you may want to put yours on the market  to see if you get any interest in it and possibly even sell it.   Now is the time that folks are many times getting full asking price for their homes so it is a buyer’s market. 

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

Photo credit: DartHomes 

How To Not Let Your Pets Ruin Your Home Sale

by Tucker Robbins

When you have pets and you are trying to sell your home there are a few ways that you can avoid your pets ruining your home sale.   Many times folks love animals but that doesn’t mean they want to see evidence of your pets in your home when they are trying to envision themselves living there.  Below are a few ideas on how to not let your pets ruin your home sale.

  1.  Vacuuming your home is a great idea before you have someone tour your home for a showing but it is essential if you have pets.  Pet hair and tufts of fur can find their way into your guest’s noses and faces if you aren’t careful and that is not going to be good for your potential sale.  If you have someone who happens to sit on your furniture during their home tour you don’t want pet hair to get all over them.  A good way to insure that this doesn’t happen is to run a damp sponge over the furniture before they arrive. 
     
  2. As you already know pets are bad about leaving little surprises for you on your floors especially if you are gone during the day.  Pet stains are not a welcomed sight to anyone that might be interested in buying your home.  Think about it, would you want to see someone else’s pet mess when touring a home?   I think not.  Do your best to remove any types of these stains before your potential buyers come to tour your home even if you have to spend some money to get things cleaned and stains removed by professionals. 
     
  3. Pet odor is another thing that can ruin a potential home sale.    You are likely use to the way your pet smells and may not even be aware that they have an odor but they do.  Those folks who may come to tour your home will likely be able to smell it as soon as they enter the house.  Spraying odor neutralizing sprays can help with pet odor as well as perhaps having just baked some cookies for your guest to enjoy.  Whatever you have to do to get rid of the odor is what you need to do. 
     
  4. If your pet has a bed in your home it is best to stick it in the closet or to remove it from the home before your home tour begins. 

These are just a few ideas on how to not let your pet or pets ruin your potential home sale.  Hopefully they will get you thinking in the right direction so that you may be more able to walk away with an offer.  

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

Common Real Estate Myths

by Tucker Robbins

 

 

 

 

 

If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, you may have already come across some of these common real estate myths.  Real estate myths are abundant and are quite prevalent in the real estate world.  Below you will find a few real estate myths to be wary of whether you are buying or selling a home. 

  1. Some folks believe that if you don’t use a real estate agent you are likely to get a better deal.  This is totally false because no matter which one of you have the agent…one of them is going to get the commission be it the buyer’s agent or the sellers agent.  The only way to get around dealing with paying a commission to a realtor is if you sell or a buy a home that is for sale by owner.  If you do decide to purchase or sell by owner, be very careful because there are a lot of things that can and perhaps will go wrong when you try to go it alone.  Real estate agents deserve all the commission they get because they do a lot of work that you don’t have to worry about doing yourself. 
     
  2. Another common real estate myth  is that you should set your asking price higher than what you expect to make.  If you price your home too much above the market value you are likely going to be doing yourself an injustice.  Folks are going to pass your home by because they know that it is not in their price range.  Setting your home at a reasonable price is a good way to get buyers to show some interest and not be scared off by sticker shock. 
     
  3. Yet another common real estate myth is that all of the houses listed in the multiple listing systems are all available to look at online.  Most of the houses on MLS are listed online but if you don’t tell your realtor that you want your home listed online he or she may not do so. 
     
  4. Another real estate myth  is that having an open house will basically guarantee that you home will sell.  While open houses are good to get folks out looking at your house, they don’t always bring the buyer to your door.  Typically those that look at your house during an open house are just browsing and likely won’t give you an offer. 

Do your part not to let these real estate myths fool you by knowing them ahead of time before you buy or sell a home.  

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

Quick Home Improvements

by Tucker Robbins

home improvements

 

Home improvements can many times take a lot of time and can easily overwhelm you.  The home improvements listed in list article are some that won’t take you a lot of time.  Likely you will be able to get these home improvements done in just a matter of a day or so.   Whether you want to do these home improvements for your own enjoyment or you plan to sell your house, these will get you started in the right direction and won’t take up a lot of your time.   

 

  1. First on the list of quick home improvements is to simply change your front door hardware.  This is a simple and easy fix that won’t take you long at all and it is one that won’t cost you a lot either.   

  1. Painting the front door a bright color is another quick home improvement that can really make a big difference in the way your house looks.  Red is a popular color that can make a statement to those who pass by your home.  Another great color to use on your front door is a bright teal color.  Both of these colors are very popular these days so if you want to be part of what is in, you should use one of these colors.   

  1. Another quick home improvement that can make a huge impact on how your home looks is to upgrade your house numbers.  You can buy fancy glass or ceramic tiles with your house number on them to match your newly painted door.   

  1. Painting outdated or old furniture in your home is another quick home improvement that can make your house look awesome.   

  1. Updating your kitchen and bathroom fixtures is a quick home improvement that is easy to do and will make your house look the best it can look.   

  1. If you have an old fireplace that is no longer able to be used, why not put some candles in it to spruce it up a bit.  This is a nice cozy improvement to make especially during the upcoming colder months.   

 

Again, home improvements don’t have to take a ton of time to make a huge difference on how your house looks.   

 

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

Make Your Home a More Relaxing Place

by Tucker Robbins


Let’s face it, we are all busy and we all typically look forward to relaxing after a hard day’s work once we arrive home!  Can I get an Amen?  

Many times however, we come home to a house that can sometimes be less than relaxing.  Whether it is the kids running around fighting with one another or the animals leaving us messes to clean up, there are many reasons why our homes can often times be less than relaxing. 

Below are listed a few tips to help make your home a more relaxing place regardless of what is going on around you. 

  1.  Placing a big comfortable chair in a quiet nook in your home with perhaps a blanket thrown over it can do a lot towards adding a relaxing comfy feel.  Be sure to put this chair and blanket in an “out of the way” space such as a back bedroom so that you will be able to go there to escape the day. 
     
  2. Another idea for making your home a more relaxing place   is to add some fluffy white curtains to your patio or porch.  Add a few pieces of outdoor furniture and a table or two as well.  This will allow you an outdoor space in which you can retire to after a long hard day at work.  These spaces are great for when the weather is good. 
     
  3. Adding an upholstered headboard to your bed can make the entire room look more soft and serene.  Also if you happen to have a television in your bedroom, take it out and put it somewhere else in the house.  Your bedroom should be your sanctuary at all times. 
  4. Another way to help make your home a more relaxing place is to add a speaker system throughout your house.  This way you can play soft relaxing music and listen to it as you move from room to room. 
     
  5. Much in the way that music can be used to make your home a more relaxing place, diffusing essential oils into your home can go a long way as well!  If you don’t have a diffuser you should definably order one today! 

These tips to make your home a more relaxing place are a good place to start!  Once you do your part to make your home your sanctuary you will likely love the changes!  

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

Photo credit: thedistrictrecovery.com

How to Choose the Best Offer When You Have Multiple

by Tucker Robbins


While multiple offers may be a good thing, you still should know how to choose the best offer   in the event this happens to you. Below you will find a few ideas on how to best handle this particular situation. 

  1. Finding out which of the potential buyers have the best financing available to them is a great way to help you choose which offer you would be best to go with.  If you pick someone who hasn’t got the financial side of it all worked out for themselves you will likely end up spending more time than you would like getting all the kinks worked out.  Choosing someone who has a reputable lender on the other hand and has already been pre approved will make the transactions go nice and smoothly for all involved. 
     
  2. Another way to choose the best offer  when you have multiple offers is if the closing date is good for you.  You may have one person that wants to buy your home that has to wait on their home to sell first while another person is ready to go right away.  If you want to and are ready to move out quickly you may want to go with the latter however if you are not quite ready to move that fast you may want to go with the folks that need to wait a while.  Choose the offer that best suits your own personal needs.
     
  3. Yet another way to choose the best offer on your house when you have been given multiple offers is to make a checklist of the pros and cons of each offer.  This will make sorting out the details a bit easier for you. 
     
  4. Be sure that you have peace about each offer and if you don’t feel a peace about a certain offer, take that one off the list of who to choose from. 

It is a good idea to go through all scenarios that may arise with each offer that is given before deciding which one to go with.  Once you choose the right offer, you can look forward to moving into a new chapter of your life! 

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

Photo credit:  CRES

What Does a Realtor Really Do For Buyers and Sellers?

by Tucker Robbins


When you are ready to buy a new home or sell your current one, you might assume that finding an agent to handle the process is not worth the effort and cost. What exactly do these agents do, and how can they be so invaluable to me? 
 

 

Buyers 

  • - Being pre-approved before you start house hunting is best, and a buyer agent will recommend a lender that will help you begin.  Once you have a mortgage amount, you will know how much home you can afford. 

  • - Realtors® have thousands of property listings at their fingertips! Once you let them know what you are looking for, they comb through those listings and find homes that fit your needs and wants. 

  • - Do you have any idea how to do the research for writing a successful offer on a house or negotiate counter offers you might receive? Your buyer agent certainly does and can save a lot of stress on your part, especially in the case of a bidding battle.   

  • - Your agent will schedule and attend an inspection of the house and will help handle negotiations with the seller to have the necessary repairs performed, have the seller reduce the sale price, or make concessions at closing. 

  • - As exciting as the closing is, it can cause some anxiety, but your Realtor® will have prepared you for what is to come and make sure all of your necessary paperwork and other applicable things are ready. 

 

Sellers 

  • - A listing agent will spend a good deal of time making sure your home is priced comparably to homes in your area by analyzing recent sales of similar homes.  Setting either too high or low can deter potential buyers. 

  • - Not only does the agent prepare and post the property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), they will create a page on their website specifically for your listing, video or 3D tours, and market your home to reach as many house hunters as possible. 

  • - Your Realtor® will work diligently to get the best price for your home. Many agents will even go so far as to attend the appraisal and the inspection, warding off any misunderstandings about the findings in each. 

  • - During any repair requests, your agent will be able to discern what is your responsibility, and what is an unnecessary request by the buyer.  Knowing the difference could save the seller thousands of dollars. 

  • - While your house is on the market, you need to know everything that happens behind the scenes, and a reputable agent will stay connected to you, whether it be by phone or in person. Communication is vital to your home’s sale.  

 

If you are buying or selling, connect with a Realtor®. As eager as you may be to go it alone, the legalities and knowledge involved with real estate can cost more money than any agent fees in the end. Not to mention that you cannot place a monetary value on having someone looking out for your best interests during one of the biggest decisions of your life. 

 

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

A List to Create for Potential Buyers

by Tucker Robbins


Selling a house usually involves so many things, decluttering, deep cleans, moving belongings to storage, and many more tasks. Once the big jobs are done, and the For-Sale
 sign is staked out, sit back, and put yourself in the shoes of a prospective buyer. Some questions cannot be answered in photos and home description, so why not jot a few things down to make it easier for someone who would like to buy your property?  

 

Best in the Neighborhood Provide addresses, phone number, and emails for the “best of” the community: 

  • - pizza, veggie burgers, coffee shop, or other places to eat 

  • - nearest parks and recreational areas; include neighborhood sports organizations for children 

  • - lawnmower or auto repair, neighborhood teen that mows grass, local handyman, tree service 

  • - HVAC repair, plumber, electrician, pool care
    - b
    anks, dry cleaners, salon, and barbershop  

 

Necessities List the companies in your area that provide the following services: 

  • - electricity, cable, satellite, internet, phone providers, heating fuel 

  • - sanitation pick up, local municipality office, water/sewage, emergency management, health department 

 

Work Performed on Property 

  • - additions, renovations, foundation repair, painting, floor work, roof repairs, snaked/cleared drains 

  • - plumbing, electric, septic/sewer, water pump, well water testing, ductwork repair/cleaning, added insulation, HVAC service 

  • - Cleaned gutters, window/door repair/replacement, tree work, lawn care, garage door opener  

 

Utility Information List average cost of monthly expenses, as buyers sometimes are  curious about them: 

  • - Electric, water, phone/internet, cable/satellite, landscaping/pool care, waste removal/recycling, heating fuel 

 

Finally, create a list of the fun things that happen in and around your community! Share information about local festivals, any farmers’ markets, the annual neighborhood cook-out--anything you would think useful to someone new to the area. Creating these lists may not be necessary, but the information will be ready in case a potential buyer asks. You can never make too much effort to sell your home. 

 

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

 

Photo credit: magnolia home inspections 

Displaying blog entries 11-20 of 57

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