The Luca's Tri-State Team - by John & Mary Luca

Build a Fire, Light a Candle, Bake some Cookies! - Open House or just Your House!

2006-11-12T16:23:00Z

Well, after an unexpected awesome 70 degree day yesterday with plenty of sun, today is grey, damp and cooler.

As John went out to tour some buyers around - I prepared to lift our spirits with some tips that you can use for yourself, or for hosting an open house: light, warmth, welcome!!

With natural light at a low today, it's perfect for lighting a fire in the fireplace and lighting candles thoughout the house! This bring light and warmth to any home. There are many candles that have wonderful fragrances right now, but if you are planning on guests arriving (whether they be family or potential buyers for an open house), it's safest to use unscented candles. And don't just put them on the dining room table - place a welcoming, soothing candle in the bathroom. You'll be amazed how it can lift your spirits! I lit 11 candles before I was inspired to share this tidbit, and I think I'll keep going once I finish this blog.
Bake some cookies! It doesn't have to be anything special or from scratch! Just bake some slice-and-bake cookies to bring a wonderful, natural, welcoming smell into your home for yourself and your guests. Of course, you can eat them as well if you'd like We may bake some bread today - the kids thoroughly enjoy it, and it does bring a wonderful scent into the home as well.

Well, I'm back to my "staging" for our own sake - take some time to take care of you and your home.

Have a great day!

Mary

Wet Basements - Regrading Soil - Downspouts, November 6, 2006

2006-11-08T16:57:00Z

Good Monday Evening!

The leaves are turning color and they are falling quickly. It is certainly that time of year to break out the rake and go to work. Of course it can be fun too - we were just raking a leaf pile for our kids - and the 4 year old had a blast jumping in that pile over and over!

In the fall it's also a good time before the cold weather sets in to regrade the soil around your home. I've noticed a major cause of wet basements in homes is negative grading around the perimeter of the house - meaning the grade is sloping down towards the house. A little bit of effort to regrade up to 10 feet away from the house (sloping to what's called a positive grade) can go a long way in eliminating problems with wet basements. Also, make sure down spouts have extensions for at least 5 to 10 feet. For those who want to get more specific, according to the latest home inspection report I've received, "soil or ground cover should slope 1 inch per foot away from the foundation for at least 10 feet. "

For more information, contact me at 302-999-6966 and I can put you in touch with a reputable home inspector who can evaluate your property before you sell, to let you know what to correct before putting your home on the market - this also gives buyers more comfort in bidding on your property. And of course, if you're looking to buy - we always recommend a home inspection to protect you from purchasing a home with issues that need to be corrected immediately.

Have a super week - and by the way - if you know of anyone looking to buy or sell real estate please refer them to us - we'll take good care of them.

And here's your Monday Morning Coffee (yes, it's arriving in the evening - it was slow to brew today :)

Pulse of the Market - Multiple Offers are Here Again! October 30, 2006

2006-11-08T16:55:00Z

Good Monday Morning!

Halloween is just a day away and the weather certainly fits this time of year. This is the time to take a walk along the Brandywine River or slip out and walk along a golf course (or even play if that's your game!). The Fall colors are gorgeous there right now.

The Real Estate market looks like we're seeing a ittle bit of a mad rush before the holiday season. Showings have greatly increased over the last three weeks. Buyers will buy when the house if priced to sell, and John has personally run into two multiple offer situations in the last week. Current low mortgage interest rates should continue to support buyer demand.

If you would like to have a professional opinion of how to best stage your home for sale, please contact me. We can tour your home and give you some great advice on how to best prepare your home to optimize it's value on the market. This is a FREE service and there is no obligation!

If you're interested in seeing the homes currently on the market, as they hit the market, visit www.EmailTriStateHomes.com to set up a daily search as well as search the MLS fed database live.

Have An Awesome Week!

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Home Staging - How & Why - October 29, 2006

2006-11-08T16:53:00Z

Yes, home staging has been around for a while - sellers have been sprucing up there houses to sell for decades. However, it's now got an official name - Home Staging - and it can be a profession for some.

As we tend to be busier in life, we find that there are many niches to specialize in, and sometimes with all of the clutter we now have in our homes that weren't there before (we've moved from figurine collections to DVD collections and all sorts of electronics), sometimes it does help to have a specialist enable you see where to declutter to present your home in the best light.

I always guide my sellers on changes they can make to enhance the appearance and therefore, saleability, of their home. And on a couple occasions, I've even recommended a Home Stage Specialist (who is a professional associate of mine - we work as a team when she's called into action for my sellers) to my clients. The results have been astounding (drop me a line if you want to see before and after pics - I don't have time to post them now while blogging quickly on a Sunday morn). The sellers were amazed at the results as well.

For more information to help yourself get started - read the following articles - then call me with questions.

Have a great day - it's looking sunny out there today!!

News Journal Article 10/29/06 on current housing market in Delaware and why home staging helps

Articles on How to Stage Your Home

Market Starting to Move - October 22nd Post

2006-11-08T16:48:00Z

After a temporary slow down in the market, it appears as if things are starting to move again - the buyers are certainly bidding now and the sellers are seeing the action they need and want to sell. This appears to be the case in the real estate markets in this Tri-State area of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland for homes for sale listed with Realtors.

A couple FSBO's I've spoken with have had offers, only to have them fall through before settlement - although I've not seen that with my transactions right now (it's always a possiblity, but that's one of the reasons it can help to have a realtor in the middle, trying to always mediate between the buyer and seller so that they can both settle and walk away from the table as happy as when they first signed the contract).

If you want to see what's on the market right now - you can search all the properties shared by the MLS at www.DeluxeHomeSearch.com . If you'd like an estimate as to your home's value in case you are thinking of moving (or just updating your investment portfolio valuations) visit www.PriceMyTriStateHome.com

Have a great day - I'm having fun at an Open House! (while my buyer's agents host a couple others).

Property at 2307 17th St. has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:45:50Z

2307 17th St.
Wilimington

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Property at 1510 Fresno Road has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:45:45Z

1510 Fresno Road
Wilmington

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Property at 1611 N Broom Street has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:45:31Z

1611 N Broom Street
Wilmington

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Property at 146 Moorfield Turn has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:45:20Z

146 Moorfield Turn
Hockessin

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Property at 7 Threeoak Lane has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:45:13Z

7 Threeoak Lane
West Chester

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Property at 266 Liborio Drive has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:45:00Z

266 Liborio Drive
Middletown

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Property at 1502 W 11th Street has been Sold!

2006-11-08T16:44:51Z

1502 W 11th Street
Wilmington

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Property For Sale at 225 Murphy Rd!

2006-11-08T16:44:45Z

225 Murphy Rd
Wilmington

Great opportunity for a first time home buyer or investor! Traditional Fairfax ranch with lovely hardwood floors, freshly painted interior and exterior, master bedroom with a full bathroom, both baths with ceramic tile, bright kitchen with newly painted neutral cabinets and refrigerator, formal dining room with chair rail, expansive living room with abundant windows for natural light. Home is in need of a new roof. Large, partially fenced level yard, side patio, full basement with a washer, dryer, double utility sink. Lots of storage throughout. A classic home!
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Property For Sale at 126 Woodgreen Rd!

2006-11-08T16:44:39Z

126 Woodgreen Rd
Claymont

Ready for you to move right in! Well-maintained home with a large living room with a fireplace and bow window, expansive family room with a floor to ceiling brick fireplace and classic corner cupboards with arched glass doors. Eat-in kitchen with hardwood cabinetry, lighted ceiling fan, door to the level, partially fenced back yard. Large owner's bedroom suite with abundant closet space and door to the full bathroom. Beautiful new main level carpet, freshly and neutral painted interior, newer heating system, new water heater. Large laundry room. Attached garage with inside access. A perfect home for first time home buyers or anyone who wants to downsize. Classic features in all the right ways!
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Price: $265000USD

Property For Sale at 2619 W 18th St!

2006-11-08T16:44:31Z

2619 W 18th St
Wilmington

Just one block from Rockford Park - completely renovated in 2000, main and second level central air, new heat and a/c in 98, vinyl windows, freshly painted interior, hardwood floors, living room fireplace and bay window, dining room fireplace and atrium door to the petite side deck, eat-in kitchen with a vaulted ceiling with skylights and fan, traditional white cabinetry, recessed lights, gas cooking, doors to the privacy fenced back yard with brick patio, expansive master bedroom suite with a gas fireplace, upated full bathroom with a jetted tub and marble surround, skylight, Rockford Park vistas. Abundant closet space throughout. Full basement. Wonderful front porch, exterior gingerbread accents, fabulous location on an idyllic street - an adorable home!
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Price: $279000USD