Found 158 entries published by Bill Mann.
Tips for Renting Your Rehoboth Beach Condominium
Posted by Bill Mann on
Since the real estate market is beginning its rebound, maybe you've finally decided to make that retirement condominium purchase. But you've got a few years left until retirement day and would like to offset some of the costs of ownership. Consider putting your Rehoboth Beach condominium on the vacation rental market until you're ready to make the move.
If you plan to place your Rehoboth Beach condominium on the rental market, here are some things to consider:
- Not all rental companies are alike. Research area rental companies that actively market the area where your condominium is located to maximize occupancy for your unit.
- Just as you would with a home you're trying to sell, make your condominium interior cozy and home-like that complements…
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Reasons To Attend Your Own Home Inspection
Posted by Bill Mann on
As a home buyer in Rehoboth Beach , you can get a feel for whether a home's systems and appliances are in working order. However, you can't know for certain until after the home's been inspected.
This is why real estate agents recommend that buyers hire a licensed home inspectors immediately after going into contract. It's the best way to really know the home which you're buying.
By definition, a home inspection is a top-to-bottom check-up of a home's physical condition and systems, including a review of the structure, and its plumbing and electrical systems. Home inspections are not the same as a home appraisal, which is a valuation of the property.
When you commission a home inspection, you should be present for it. Here are 3 reasons why :
…
2424 Views, 3 Comments
Will 20% Soon Be the Minimum Down Payment on a Home?
Posted by Bill Mann on
Several government agencies are reviewing data to determine what will be the minimum down payment required under the new Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) guidelines scheduled to be revealed in the next few months. In the original Mortgage Market Note issued by the FHFA, it was suggested that loan-to-value (the percentage of the overall purchase price which was being borrowed) was a major factor in determining if a loan would default:
"For most origination years, requirements for borrower credit score and loan-to-value ratio are the factors that most reduce the ever-90-day delinquency rate of mortgages acquired by the Enterprises that would have met the proposed QRM standards."
The note then made the following proposal:
"An LTV ratio…
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Winter Time is High Time for Remodeling Tips
Posted by Bill Mann on
“What doesn’t bankrupt us makes us stronger,” writes Josh Garskof, a serial remodeler and contributing writer and/or editor for Money magazine, “This Old House,” and Martha Stewart Living. Rehoboth Beach property owners who have attempted a remodel anytime recently are likely to find the humor – and the truth – in his wisecrack.
With the spring selling season just over the horizon, this would be about the right time for Coastal Delaware homeowners who are considering bringing their property to market to finalize plans and firm up any remodeling arrangements. Whether the project is just to freshen up a bathroom or re-landscape a whole backyard, Garskof offers the following tips:
Plan to Overspend – Yes, we all hate to acknowledge it, but surprises…
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Tips For Selling Your Home In The Colder Winter Months
Posted by Bill Mann on
Real estate agents in Rehoboth Beach will tell you that it can be harder to sell a home in the winter. The days are colder and shorter, leaving less time to show a home to potential buyers.
The good news, though, is that most buyers looking at houses in the winter aren't just killing time. They're serious enough about finding a new home to house hunt at a time when most people might rather stay inside.
There are a several steps you can take to make a good impression on home buyers this winter.
First, if there's snow or ice on the ground, make sure walkways are safe. Spread out ice melt or sand to provide traction during snowy weather. Shovel the snow on the driveway and sidewalks to make your home more inviting. Be sure to place a mat on which for…
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Fix-and-Flip or Buy-and-Hold: Which Are You?
Posted by Bill Mann on
With the Fed having announced its intention to hold interest rates near 0% until at least mid-2015, even very cautious investors are recognizing that this provides a rare opening. If ever there were a time to start a real estate portfolio, it’s hard to imagine a better one.
For many, the first question is whether there is still an opportunity to buy foreclosed homes in the Rehoboth Beach area. That answer is yes – but the window of opportunity is fading as forclosure inventory has diminished.
Before we can develop your strategy, you first need to decide which type of real estate investor you wish to be:
The Fix-and-Flip Investor - This type of investor is handy (or has a lot of contacts who are), and is familiar with remodels and improvement…
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NAR, Google Document 'The Digital House Hunt'
Posted by Bill Mann on
by Broderick Perkins
reprinted with permission - Realty Times © - published January 10, 2013
Just about 15 years ago, real estate consumers couldn't wait to get their hands on what meager multiple listing service data was available - after the technophobic real estate industry went kicking and screaming into the digital age.
Back in 1998, real estate technology visionary, Stefan Swanepoel said it best in his treatise "Real Estate Confronts Reality: Computers, Consumers, Confusion."
"It is time for the real estate industry to understand that technology is not a destination - it's a journey. Technology is not an enemy - it's a tool...technology is the single biggest change catalyst the real estate industry has or will experience in the future." A…
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What To Do When Your Home Isn't Selling
Posted by Bill Mann on
When sellers start the home-selling process, no one wants to think "What would happen if my home doesn't sell?" But before you panic, recognize that there are many things that you can do so you don't wind up in that position.
Tip 1: Understanding the real estate market and the value of your home will help you avoid this dilemma. The first key point is to get educated about the market. Read your newspapers, online real estate sites, and consult with the best experts in real estate for your area to determine the sales price.
While all that may seem basic, you'd be surprised how many sellers rely on emotion to dream up a selling price for their home. Some have done little, if any, research on even their own neighborhood. Instead, their strong ties to…
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