If it seems too good to be true it probably is and that applies to homes. When I get a call telling me

I’m looking for a bargain

or asking about buying a short sale or foreclosed home, I can tell they probably just saw a segment on CNN about the housing market. Or maybe they heard that commercial on satellite radio about the thousands of foreclosed homes that can be bought for pennies on the dollar.

There are great deals on good homes that happen for various reasons:

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You’ve heard of the “Last Chance Workout” if you’re a fan of The Biggest Loser. Amazing what they can accomplish given the opportunity! Well there are some “Last Chance Opportunities” at several of our Active Adult Communities.

Holiday Incentives

Independence is one of those with a Holiday Incentive from now through December 23rd. Today I found notes I had made in February 2008 when we saw some of the first ever incentives from Schell Brothers at Independence. They were offering $15,000 in options/upgrades and a hard hat tour of the Clubhouse.

That was then and this is now – (more…)

What did our Buyers buy so far this year? Most of our clients are Baby Boomers over 55 that are relocating to Delaware as they near retirement. We did this same analysis last year and the statistics are similar but 6% more have chosen an age restricted community this year. We also worked with 3 times more buyers in 2011 than in either of the previous two year!

In 2011:

• 31% of our Buyers bought a home in a 55+ Active Adult Community
• 69% of our Buyers bought homes in a community with no age restriction

In both 2009 and 2010:

• 25% bought in a 55+ community
• 75% bought in all ages communities or in town

It’s not that we don’t know what we want, but there are so many more options. We make sure that our clients get the chance to consider all their options before making that big decision:

• Active Adult Community or All Ages Planned Community
• New Construction or Resale Home
• Build now or Buy a Lot and Build Later
• Live in town or at the beach
• Be among the first in a new community or find one that is nearly complete

There is something for everyone and everyone is different. That’s what makes working with our Buyer clients such FUN!

Is it true what you read about the low taxes in Delaware? Yes, it is absolutely correct. If you now live in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, DC and almost anywhere else, your property taxes will be much lower here. Even in Coastal Delaware resort towns like Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Bethany, taxes on a $400,000 new home will average less than $1,500 a year.

I get many calls from people looking at retiring to Coastal Delaware because our taxes are so much lower but they really don’t know that much about this area. They may tell me what they are looking for in a home and their target price range for a new active adult community with all the amenities. I often have to tell them that “Lower taxes doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper homes than where you now live”. What is a realistic price range for a new or resale home in a community that has it all – a clubhouse, a pool and some of the other amenities like a Fitness Center and group activities? That depends on location and the total list of amenities and size of facilities.

So how do you calculate what you might be able to afford as you prepare for retirement and living here in Delaware? Print this post and fill in the information below so that we can compare your expenses now to what they might be if you moved here:

• Property taxes:
• School taxes:
• Community fees (HOA, Condo or Club):
• Membership in a Fitness Club or Gym:
• Sales Tax:
• Insurance costs for both your home and your vehicles:
• Social Security and projected income taxes on retirement income:

More difficult to calculate but perhaps most important, what is your lifestyle cost? Can you put a price tag on less stress, less traffic and a more relaxed lifestyle? What I have noticed is less wear and tear in general. My car looks better and lasts longer than it did when I lived in New York or Boston or the DC area. Even my clothing wears longer and goes more places and there are no more suits taking up closet space. I’m just saying, the way to make decisions about where and how to live can be fun and lead to new adventures. Lower taxes just might make it possible.

What makes a chef?

It takes more than a list of ingredients to make me a chef! When asked if I can cook, I often say “I can follow a recipe”. I can do the simple things pretty well. I don’t undercook or overcook and I know what I like. When I watch a chef put together a meal, however, I realize there’s a big difference.

What about a good builder?

I used that analogy recently with a client of mine who asked me how to tell the difference between the builders because they all say “we are green” and “we are the best”. A list of ingredients, I replied, does not mean that the builder is committed to building you a quality home. It takes more than advertising and a good sales pitch. It takes a commitment to quality, a reputation built over time and the respect of other professionals. The builders I recommend are the ones that consistently deliver on their promise, build a good home and have a company culture that prioritizes customer service. Something can always go wrong with any builder, but the difference is how they handle the problems and do the right thing.

Not sure where you want to live yet?  Need time to get familiar with the area and take your time finding the right home? Why not lease a place for the first year and see how you like it?

Pictured here is a great condo on the water in Millsboro, Delaware. A large 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with an oversized 2-car garage, it is available for rent immediately for only $1,100/month. Over 65? The rent is only $1,000/month. It is partially furnished and that can stay or go – it’s up to you.

You can have a boat right outside the back door or just relax on the large deck watch the boats float by. You can also walk into the town of Millsboro. No maintenance to worry about and the condo fee is included in the rent.

Interested? You can learn more by looking at the listing information – CLICK HERE

Do you know the difference between an “off-site stick-built home” and a modular home? I didn’t until I had been in the real estate business for several years. When you see a modular home advertised, you have to ask yourself – “Who is the builder?”

Read this post by Gotcha Covered and you’ll start to see the difference. If you already own a lot and want an extremely energy-efficient home built to your specifications, this is a great way to go. Read More.

Have you noticed that the terminology is different everywhere you go? They don’t build duplexes here in Coastal Delaware, but they do build:

• Attached Single Family Homes
• Carriage Homes
• Villas

And some of them look an awful lot like a duplex! Where can you find the best duplex homes?

Heritage Shores

Both Lennar and Providence of Brookfield Homes built what they called attached single family homes for several years at Heritage Shores. Most of them are duplex type with only two end units but others have a middle unit as well. Right now the only duplexes for sale are resale units built between 2005 and 2007 unless Providence or another builder decides to build additional units; Lennar is no longer building at Heritage Shores. You can find current homes for sale listed here -Heritage Shores homes for sale. (more…)

We have just added new virtual tours on some great homes for sale in Coastal Delaware. Take a look and let us know if you would like to see any of these properties in person. This is a great time to buy a home at today’s prices and the current low interest rates. Watch the Virtual tours!