Tired of Ridiculously High Real Estate Taxes?



Besides having some of the best real estate among the mid-Atlantic states, Delaware taxes are unbeatably low! If you are used to paying in the tens of thousands each year, think about what you could do with that money. In about 10 years, you could in many cases, actually pay for a home with what you would save on your current taxes. Besides having no sales taxes, Delaware has seriously low realty taxes. This is one of the biggest attractions for home downsizers, retiring home buyers, first-time buyers, and savvy investors.  Check out the homes available, and give me a call today! Click here to kickstart your future: Find Me A Home! 

Focus on Solutions!

I just watched a short Keller Williams Realty vignette about remaining focused on solutions rather than expending energy on the roadblocks. A very insightful approach to both business and personal problems. I always remember my military days when I thought about complaining of a problem. If you know something is wrong, then you must also then know how it should be made right. If all we can do is complain without having an associated solution, then we are then part of the problem and that's the wrong side of the fence to be on.

Analysis Paralysis

Sociologists call it Analysis Paralysis and to some degree, we all have experienced it. Analysis Paralysis is that instance whereby we research, discuss, think about, reconsider a course of action and then we start the mental process over and over again, but never take the step towards realizing our goal. A simple example might be the newest tech gadget. You are ready to purchase the newest iPhone only to discover a new version is on the horizon. Even though the current iPhone is exactly what you want, exactly what you need, your inability to commit, paralyzes you into inaction. We layman sometimes refer to this as 'a deer caught in headlights.'

As a home buyer, what keeps you from making that decision to buy? What are you analyzing to the point of making no decision? What is paralyzing you? You know what you are looking for- you know the location you want to live, you know the size of home you need, you know how much you can spend, but you take no action. The current interest rates are highly affordable, home prices are in your favor, but you don't take that next step. Many home buyers feel they would be making a mistake because right after they buy a home, they are afraid they will have missed 'The One.' The one home that would have made them truly happy, would have given them 100 percent peace of mind, the one home that would be forever maintenance free, would cost them two dollars less a month for electric. Some buyers want to analyze the market to the point of absurdity. They want to be sure they are not paying 3 cents more per square foot than the home that just sold down the block, they pick apart a home's characteristics such as a paint color, almost as if to intentionally sabotage their own goal. Even though they found their dream home, their Analysis Paralysis will keep them from reaching their goal.

What is your Analysis Paralysis?

Kent County Market Trend

Kent County, July 2011

Market History

For Kent County, the Average Settled Price in July 2011 was $195,000. Related to that, 98 listings Settled in July 2011.

Single-Family July 2010 July 2011

Inventory 1,623 1,471

Settled Units 107 98

Median Price $197,000 $182,000

Stl Price/Orig Price 90.7% 93.3%

Single-Family YTD July 2010 July 2011

Settled Units 763 642

Average Price $200,000 $180,000

Median Price $195,000 $175,000

Stl Price/Orig Price 92.5% 91.1%

• Single-Family Year-to-Date Report

• Condo Year-to-Date Report Year-to-Date Market Snapshot

In July 2011, Kent County settled 642 units at an average price of $180,000.

Homes for Heroes

"Thanks to all the help we received from our wonderful Realtor, Tom, and Homes for Heroes, we saved lots of money on buying our first home at age 60+. After years of dreaming of owning our own home, we were told about a program called Homes for Heroes. 

Bob decided one day to call about the program and spoke to the best Realtor around. Tom told us of all the wonderful discounts which were available. To say the least, at our ages, we had no idea there were so many people willing to discount their services. It was a complete surprise after only a few weeks at looking at houses we had found the ONE. There was no extra paperwork or guidelines, this allowed for a very smooth process. After years of helping others, it's really nice to know people care. Thanks so much Home for Heroes!"  Bob and Sharon Lord

With Good Thoughts

Dear Tom,

"We both know that we were very fortunate to have you as our Realtor. We all went through a lot together but the trust you earned and professionalism you displayed made our home search a real joy. The friendship that we had was very special to us and hope that it continues in the future. Please feel free to use us as a reference whenever you need one. You will always be welcome at our house."

Looking forward to when we meet again.

Gratefully,

Brian and Linda Stewart

Google Can Be Your Personal Chamber of Commerce!

Tap Into Google Local

Your Personal Chamber Of Commerce

The Internet has revolutionized the way we live in countless ways. We are able to access news as it's happening, email friends and relatives all over the world, and purchase anything from cars to vacation packages with a few clicks of the mouse.

What's ironic is that we frequently neglect to use this amazing resource when it comes to finding things in our local area. That's where Google™, the world's leading search engine, comes in. Google has produced a search tool, called Google Local, which you can use to locate anything from an Italian restaurant or golf course to a dentist or CPA, all within a few miles of your home!

To access Google Local, you may go there directly (www.local.google.com) or you can click on the "Local" link at the top of the page at www.google.com. Once there, specify what you are looking for and in which location. You can even select the search radius you prefer, at increments of 1 mile, 5 miles, 15 miles, or 45 miles.

One of the many benefits of this tool is that you receive a map with the locations of your search results available for viewing. Click on a map marker, and you can obtain driving directions right away. In addition to the item's address, phone number, and map, Google also provides relevant links and color-coded online reviews when they are available. (Red reviews are negative, green are positive, and yellow is neutral.)

Google Local is available free to local businesses, as opposed to yellow pages in the phone book which are updated annually and charge a fee. Next time you are searching for a local resource, give Google Local a try. You might be surprised to learn what is in your own backyard!

Google™ is a trademark of Google Inc.