The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay is one of Coastal Delaware’s most beautiful resort properties. Last year when Bill and I were homeless, waiting to move into our new home in Lewes, we were thrilled when good friends told us we could stay at their condo at The Peninsula. If you are new to this blog, you may have missed all the great photos I posted during that time. View Peninsula photos!

The Kingfisher

There are more choices than ever at The Peninsula and the latest addition is the new Coastal Series from Schell Brothers. Just introduced are 6 models in the Marina Bay neighborhood starting at the unbelievable price of $499,900 for The Kingfisher, one of the most popular new models from Schell. In fact, this price is lower than the Base Model price for the same home at Breakwater in Lewes, Delaware. The Spinnaker is priced the same at Breakwater and The Peninsula, and The Beach Plum introductory price is actually $30,000 less! The New Model pricing may not stay this low for very long, so if you have always wished you could afford an elegant single family home at The Peninsula, you should Email Kathy now!

Remember, The Peninsula is the only true gated community in Coastal Delaware. It also features the private Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and amenities that are unmatched in this region.

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.

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.

Take the tour of the fabulous clubhouse at Independence, one of Delaware’s most popular active adult communities. This is what you expect in a top-rated community, with an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, entertaining space in the ballroom and cafe area, game rooms to rival the best resort. Why take a risk on a community that promises a clubhouse will be built some time in the future? Watch the tour and then go look at the to-be-built models – SEE MODELS HERE.

Wow, look at that model with the gourmet kitchen, the hardwood floors, the luxury owner’s bath and that outdoor kitchen! That’s the house I want … but that costs what? Why do builders put so many options and upgrades into their model homes? If they built a base model home and just let it speak for itself, then you would know what is really included, right? But would you be enticed to buy a home in that community?

What’s included in the base model pricing of that new home? That depends. Don’t assume that all new homes come standard with the elegant finishes and details you find in the model homes. Everything you see is available but much of it will require upgrades and option selections. What should you expect the final price of your home to be? Since we are talking about the home itself, this is true regardless of the type of community. If the community is an active adult community or a planned community with lots of amenities, that will have an impact on HOA or Condo fees and closing costs which we’ll talk about in a future article.

How about a basement?

That used to be easy in Coastal Delaware – NO! But now there are some builders that are including an unfinished basement in the base model price like Blenheim at Bay Crossing and KHovnanian at Nassau Grove. Other builders like Schell Brothers at Independence offer a basement on certain lots as an upgrade. At Heritage Creek however, an unfinished basement is standard on all of the Schell Homes. So the answer to that question varies by builder and community, especially in the Coastal areas of Delaware. (more…)

That is the question for some of our clients. Because we specialize in “Boomers and Beyond” who are looking to retire to the beaches of Sussex County Delaware, Bill and I find that Baby Boomers like us are many and varied. Some like in town living. Some want Active Adult Communities and others want to be out in the country on a few acres.

In addition to providing real estate services to our clients, Bill and I also own and operate a construction company, Gotcha Covered. This allows us to greatly expand the depth of services we can provide. That brings me to the reason for this post.  A lot has changed over the last several years and these changes have all of us rethinking our budgets and just how much we have available for housing.  One bright spot for those looking to retire to our area is an abundance of building lots and the prices have come way down. Additionally, we have the ability here in Sussex county to offer what Bill refers to as “Off-Site stick built housing”. He uses this term to specifically differentiate this type of housing from its close cousin more commonly named “Modular housing”. Some may think this distinction is splitting hairs but Bill has taught me the difference. The concept of Off-Site stick built housing has been around for quite a while. (more…)

Many of my clients have found a great way to reserve their place in Coastal Delaware. You can purchase a lot now in several communities and build when you are ready. Why is this such a good idea? Land is what will appreciate as the real estate market continues to improve and the market here in Coastal Delaware is improving fast. Lots in the most desirable communities are disappearing – I wrote contracts myself on 4 lots in the past two weeks just for my buyer clients!

View of the Indian River

The lot pictured above is one of two lots on River Road with a view across the street of the Indian River. Each lot is over an acre, with public water and sewer available. The List Price is $179,900 per lot. (more…)

What is the difference between condo living and one of the new planned communities with a homeowners association? Until I became a Realtor, I always thought that a condo was an apartment-style home. Well I learned differently. Condo refers to the method of ownership, not the style of home. Not all condos share common walls.

For example, I currently have three distinctly different types of properties listed myself that are condominiums.

One of them is an elegant fully furnished second floor 2 bedroom, 2 bath flat with a one-car garage in the community of Paynter’s Mill, listed for $200,000. This community also offers single family homes and townhomes that are not part of the condo ownership, but a group of single family homes that are part of their own condo association. All belong to the same community or homeowners association and membership in the community center with a Fitness Center, entertaining space and a wonderful outdoor pool is shared by all.

Another new listing of ours is a two story single family home with a full basement in the gated community of Nassau Grove. With 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths, this home is listed for $350,000. This entire community of single family homes are all part of a condominium association. In this case, the clubhouse, pool and other amenities are covered by the one condo fee. (more…)

It’s a chilly day in January, a good time to take a look back at 2010 and see what it tells us about the real estate market in Coastal Delaware. Bill and I moved here in 2003 and have specialized and focused on Baby Boomers who either live here or want to live here at some point. What kind of home are Boomers buying in what kind of community? How many bought homes in 55+ communities? Is the average sales price going up or down?
The real estate market was hot in the early 2000s. By the time I got established, the seller’s market had hit the skids, but 2007 was my very best year.

How did 2010 compare to 2007?

For transactions in which we have represented the buyer or the seller, the average sales price has risen every year from 2007 through 2010. (more…)

Is now a good time to find a retirement home in Delaware? YES, for many reasons. Not only because prices have come down in response to the economy, and not only because interest rates are absurdly low, the lowest rates EVER, but also because builders don’t like year-end inventory. Many builders end their year in September and that means Inventory Blow Out prices and special deals galore.

The home pictured to the left is in a community called Noble’s Pond, located in the Dover area. They have an introductory offer on a delightful 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home that is not to be believed. I just spent the morning at Noble’s Pond last week and I was very impressed with the community clubhouse, the brand new pool and the lovely homes. The Hampton is a new model and they have one spectacularly priced starting at only $159,995! Each day’s mail brings new information on “Quick Delivery Homes”, Current Incentives, Final Inventory Home Prices and more, and it’s only July! (more…)