Real Estate Information Archive

New Castle County DE listings increased 1.23% in June 2016 with 58 homes sold. The average sales price climbed 1.21% to $158,012, while market times rose by 4 days. 

Courtesy of Wilmington DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Yes, you just read the title of this article correctly; there are some home improvements that may actually save you money in the long run. Let’s take a look at a few home improvements that may help you save money by helping you to avoid paying taxes. 

1.  A few small home improvements that will help you to not only avoid paying taxes but will reap you small tax credits are:  HVAC upgrades, new roofing and insulation.  Roofing and insulation will earn you around a 10% tax credit while HVAC upgrades can earn you as much as $300.  Who doesn’t want an extra $300 to do with what they want.    
2. Energy efficient additions to your home are a great way to help save you some money on taxes.  If you decide to add some 
3. energy efficient doors, windows and or skylights you can earn as much as a $500 tax credit.  Of course you can also make bigger energy efficient additions to your house such as a solar water heater or heat pump but these are a bit more expensive.   
4. If you are disabled you can do a few renovations to your home to help you out not only by making it easier to live daily life but also by saving money on your taxes and actually getting a return as well.  You can save money on taxes by installing a wheelchair ramp, making doorways wider and therefore easier to maneuver through, lowering kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and making the ground outside more level so that you can easily move over it with your wheelchair.  Make sure with your doctor that any medial renovations done are deemed medically necessary before you make any of these changes in the hopes of saving on your taxes. 
5. Purchasing alternative energy equipment is another way to save money and get a return on your taxes.  Energy equipment such as solar water heaters, wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps are just a few ideas for alternative energy equipment for your home. 

These are just a few of the home improvements that you can do to help you save money on your taxes.  I would suggest doing a bit of homework before deciding to do any of these however to make sure that they are in the best interest of you and you household.

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

 

New Castle County DE listings declined 20.11% in May 2016 with 57 fewer homes sold. The average sales price dropped .88% to $231,096, while market times dropped by 6 days. 

Courtesy of Wilmington DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Summer has arrived!  Many families plan for their summer vacation months in advance but did you know that you need to prepare your home for your vacation as well?  Below are a few tips on what you should do to prepare your home for your upcoming vacation.   

1. Mow your grass before you leave for your vacation.  I would suggest that you set the mower on the shortest cut you can get so that you don’t have to worry about it growing up while you are gone.  If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time you may want to arrange to have a family member mow your yard at least once while you are gone.  Mowing your yard before vacation makes it look like you are still at home and therefore may keep away potential intruders. 
    
2. Another thing you should do before you leave on vacation this coming summer is to contact the post office and have your mail canceled while you are gone.  You can pick your mail up at the post office once you arrive back home and start your service back up.  This may sound like a huge ordeal but it really is an easy way to keep things neat and tidy while you are away from home.  This simple act will also deter intruders.
    
3. If you don’t want your house to stand out as if no one is home, you may need to install a flood light that is activated by motion outside of your home.  This way if someone walks up to your house that is not suppose to be there the neighbors will be able to see them and can report anything out of the ordinary.  Another thing you can do with lights is to set a few inside lights on a timer so that it looks like you are home.
    
4. Some water heaters have a VAC mode otherwise known as a vacation mode. If you have this setting on your water heater it’s a good idea to use it while you are away.  Doing this is not only a good way to save on your bill but it is also a good way to avoid any type of flooding that may occur while you are gone.  The last thing you want to come home to is a flooded house due to a broken or burst pipe.

Hopefully these tips will get you started in the right direction before you set off on your summer vacation and you’ll be able to relax and have fun without worrying about your house! 

Courtesy of Wilmington DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

2016 Free Summer Outdoor Concert Series around Wilmington DE.

June 5    6:30        Diamond State Concert Band – Marches, Show Tunes - Bellevue State Park

June 8    6:30        Newark Community Band – White Clay Creek State Park

June 9    6:30        Audrey McLaughlin – The Voice Finalist -  Country Music – Bellevue State Park

June 12  6:30        Malarkey Brothers – Celtic folk/Rock Band - Bellevue State Park

June 13  6:30        Rachel Schain & Hot Breakfast – Pop rock/ Dork Rock - Rockford Park

June 13  6:30        Dean Sapp & Harford Express – Centreville Park (rain date June 20)

June 15  6:30        Unity Reggae – Roots Reggae - White Clay Creek State Park

June 16  6:30        Nice Like Dat – Folk, Blues and Bluegrass - Bellevue State Park

June 19  6:30        Sin City – Americana - Bellevue State Park

June 20  6:30        Surreal Nation – Alternative Folk - Rockford Park                        

June 22  6:30        Christine Havrilla and Gypsy Fuzz – Neofunkadelicfolkpoptwang Rock - White Clay Creek Park

June 23  6:30        Summit Hill – Bluegrass and Old Country - Bellevue State Park

June 26  6:30        Spokey Speaky – Roots Reggae - Bellevue State Park

June 27  6:30        Sara Ann Garrison – Country - Rockford Park

June 29  6:30        Oh Boy! A Buddy Holly Tribute – White Clay Creek State Park

June 30  6:30        287^th Army Band – Patriotic - Bellevue State Park

July 2    7:00      The Barbone Street Band (New Orleans Jazz & Dixie Land) –   Dravo Plaza

July 3      6:30        Boy in Black (Johnny Cash Tribute Band) - Bellevue State Park 

July 6      6:30        Scott Bandy & The Texas Heat – Country - White Clay Creek State Park

July 7      6:30        Big Package – Funk and Soul Band - Bellevue State Park

July 9    7:00      Timland & Kane (Family Night with Irish Folk Music) – Dravo Plaza

July 10    6:30        US Navy Country Current – Country and Bluegrass - Bellevue State Park

July 11    6:30        Chris English – Blues - Rockford Park

July 13    6:30        Sin City Band – Americana - White Clay Creek State Park

July 14    6:30        West Chester Swing Kings – Big Band – Swing Music - Bellevue State Park

July 16  7:00      Best Kept Soul (Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop and Rock) – Dravo Plaza

July 17    6:30        The Big Jangle – Songs of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Bellevue State Park

July 18    6:30        Vanessa Collier – Blues - Rockford Park

July 18    6:30        1^st State Symphonic Band – Centreville Park (rain date July 18)

July 20    6:30        Dukes of Destiny – Blues - White Clay Creek State Park

July 21    6:30        Seven Rings – Bellevue State Park

July 23  7:00      Elizabeth Knecht (Standards, Show Tunes, Italian Opera)– Dravo Plaza

July 24    6:30        Chorduroy – Rock, Blues & Soul - Bellevue State Park

July 25    6:30        Chapel Street Junction – Blue Grass/Americana - Rockford Park

July 27    6:30        Keystone Mountain Boys – Bluegrass - White Clay Creek State Park

July 28    6:30        Electric Brigade, US Naval Academy – Rock & Roll - Bellevue State Park

July 30  7:00      Voodoo Deville (Blues, Boogie & Swing) – Dravo Plaza

July 31    5:00        Parrots in the Park – Jimmy & the Parrots - Bellevue State Park

Aug 1      6:30        Jahiti of Brown Fish – World/Reggae -  Rockford Park

Aug 1      6:30        Childrens Concert: Two of a King – Centreville Park

Aug 3      6:30        Sean Reilly – Sinatra Style - White Clay Creek State Park

Aug 4      6:30        John Flynn –  Family Concert - Bellevue State Park

Aug 6    7:00      The Crawdaddies ( Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Roots, Rock and Reggae)  – Dravo Plaza

Aug 7      6:30        Jah People – Root Rock Reggae Philly Style - Bellevue State Park

Aug 8      6:30       Pristine Raeign – Soul/Funk/R&B -  Rockford Park

Aug 8      6:30        Sin City Band – Americana - Centreville Park (rain date Aug 15)

Aug 10   6:30        USNA Electric Brigade – Rock/Pop - White Clay Creek State Park

Aug 11   6:30        Helixx – Rock / Pop Band - Bellevue State Park

Aug 13 7:00      Tony Sands (“Frank Sinatra 100^th Year Birthday Bash”) – Dravo Plaza

Aug 14   6:30        kRUSH – A Tribute to Rush - Bellevue State Park

Aug 15   6:30        Nelly’s Echo – Pop/R&B - Rockford Park

Aug 17   6:30        Apex Revloution – Today’s Country and 80’s Rock - White Clay Creek State Park

Aug 18   6:30        Sugar Rush Rocks – Teenage Rock Band - Bellevue State Park

Aug 20 7:00      Karen Rodriguez Latin Jazz Ensemble (Latin Swing, Jazz, Salsa) – Dravo Plaza

Aug 21   6:30        Kategory 5– Classic Rock & Pop - Bellevue State Park

Aug 24   6:30        Chorduroy – Rock Reggae Soul Funk Pop and Hop - White Clay Creek State Park

Aug 25   6:30        Innoko– Indie/Folk/Rock - Bellevue State Park

Aug 28 7:00      Alfie Moss & the Dexter Koonce Project (Rhythm, Blues, Motown Oldies) – Dravo Plaza

Aug 28   6:30        The British Invasion Tribute – 60s British and American Music - Bellevue State Park

Sept 5     3:00        Boy in Black (Johnny Cash Tribute Band)        

 

Shopping at local farmers markets not only puts the freshest produce available on your dinner table, it helps helps local farmers and communities. Below is a comprehensive list of local farmers markets available now through the fall.

Tuesday

Delaware Avenue Farmers Market 1727 Delaware Ave, (corner of Delaware & Scott) Wilmington 4:00  – 7:30 pm through Oct 25

Wednesday

Rodney Square, Wilmington  10:00 am – 2:00 pm Thru Oct 26

Route 9 at Bowlerama parking lot – 3031 New Castle Ave,  New Castle 3:00 – 7:00 pm thru Oct 26

Thursday

Cool Spring Park 10^th & North Jackson, Wilmington  4:00 – 8:00 PM June `16 thru Oct 6

Planting Hop  - Herman Holloway Sr. Campus, 1901 N Dupont Highway, New Castle  Noon – 2:00 pm June 16 – Sept 22

Rockwood Park Washington St Extension, North Wilmington 3:00 – 7:00 pm thru Oct 27

Winterthur 5105 Kennett Pike in front of the museum store 1:30 – 5:30 July – September

Friday

Bellefonte Farmers Market – 500 Duncan Road (Bellevue Community Center), Wilmington, 4:30 – 7:30 pm thru Sept 9

Glasgow Farmers Market 2275 Pulaski Highway (near Rt. 40 & Rt. 896 intersection) , Glasgow - 3:00 – 7:00 pm thru Oct 28

Kennett Square – 101 E State St, Kennett Square PA 2:00 – 6:00 thru November

Southbridge Youth Garden – Neighborhood House Inc., 1218 B St., Wilmington 3:00 – 7:00 pm last Friday of the month June – Oct

Saturday

Centreville Farmers Market – 52 Twaddell Mill Road, Centreville 8:30 am – 11:30 AM first and third Saturdays June 18 – Oct 15

New Garden Farmers Market 8943 Newport Gap Pike (Rt. 41) Avondale PA 9:00 am – 1:00 pm thru Nov 19

West Chester Growers Market – corner of N. Church and W. Chestnut in downtown West Chester PA  9:00 am – 1:00 pm thru December

Sunday

Co-Op Farmers Market in front on Newark Natural Foods in the Newark Shopping Center 230 E. Main St Newark 9:30 AM – 2:00 pm thru Nov 20

New Castle County DE new listings declined 5.03% in April 2016 with 52 homes less homes sold than in April 2015. The average sales price dropped 1.31% in April to $212,000 from $216,495 in April 2015.

Information courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.

With the snow gone and the ground thawed, many eager homeowners and landscape professionals across the country are rolling up their sleeves and reaching for their shovels to start projects that require digging this spring.

During the transition into "digging season," Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the association dedicated to protecting underground utilities and the people who dig near them, reminds homeowners and professional diggers that calling 811 is the first step towards protecting you and your community from the risk of unintentionally damaging an underground line.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a free call to 811. Installing a mailbox or fence, building a deck and landscaping are all examples of digging projects that should only begin a few days after making a call to 811. Calling this number connects you to your local one call utility notification center.

According to data collected by CGA in a phone survey in late February, more than half (46 percent) of American homeowners said they plan to do DIY projects involving digging this year, but 40 percent of them do not plan to make a free call to 811 before digging. Extrapolated to the full population of U.S. homeowners, approximately 51.8 million people will dig this year without first calling 811.

A utility line is damaged every six minutes in America because someone decided to dig without making a call to 811 to learn the approximate location of buried utilities in their area. Unintentionally striking one of these lines can result in inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods, harm to yourself or your neighbors and repair costs.

As a result, CGA offers the following tips to make sure you complete your project safely and without any utility service interruptions, so you don't become a statistic.

Here's how the 811 process works:

1. One free, simple phone call to 811 makes it easy for your local one call center to notify all appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Call a few days prior to digging to ensure enough time for the approximate location of utility lines to be marked with flags or paint.

2. When you call 811, a representative from your local one call center will ask for the location and description of your digging project.

3. Your local one-call center will notify affected utility companies, which will then send professional locators to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines.

4. Only once all lines have been accurately marked, roll up those sleeves and carefully dig around the marked areas.

There are nearly 19 million miles of underground utility lines in the United States that your family depends on for everyday needs including electric, gas, water and sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet and landline telephone. That equals more than a football field's length of utilities for every person in the United States. With that much critical infrastructure underground, it's important to know what's below and call 811 before digging.

To find out more information about 811 or the one call utility notification center in your area, visit Call811.com. (BPT)

Courtesy of Wilmington DE Real Estate Expert Tucker Robbins.

New Castle County DE home sales declined in December 2015 with 446 homes sold compared to 456 in December 2014. The average sales price rose 2.75% in December to $229,443 from $223,303 in December 2014.

Information courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.

New Castle County home sales are trending upward with 559 homes sold in November 2015 compared to 529 in November 2014. The average sales price rose 6.96% in November to $249,336 from $233,115 in November 2014.

Courtesy of New Castle DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.