Things Needed After Purchasing a Home

Now that you've signed all the paperwork and your loan is approved, it's time to move in. But wait! Before you put your feet up, there are a few things that you will need in order to make your new house a home.

Locks

Regardless of whether you purchase a newly constructed home or one that was formerly owned by someone else, it's important that you have the locks changed. Everyone from REALTORS® and contractors to friends and family of the former owner may have a key, which is why getting new locks should be at the top of your list.

Furnishings

You can't hang your hat without a hatrack, so don't forget to add some necessary furnishings. Some homes may include appliances and possibly even some furniture, but most homeowners prefer to decorate their house themselves. After all, someone else's taste in decor may not necessarily be the same as your own. If you purchase from a furniture store, they will handle the delivery for you. Otherwise, you can hire a moving company.

Even if your new home is equipped with appliances, you may still need to add a few items into the mix. For instance, a coffee maker, toaster, microwave or blender may be items you want for your kitchen. You will also need flatware, tableware and a quality dish drainer to hold your dishes that require the handwash method.

Tools

When you move into a new home, there will likely be some things to do that require the use of tools. Whether you need to assemble furniture, a desk for your office or just need to tighten some bolts here and there, a good set of tools is a necessity.

Personal Touches

No home is complete without personal touches that represent the new owner's taste, so don't forget to include them on your shopping list. Pictures, paintings, special window dressings, accent pillows, plants, decorative throws, accent rugs and bedding sets will create a custom interior that's all about you. Other things to consider include portable air cleaners, water filters, an answering machine, wastebaskets and a bathroom plunger.

If you like to entertain, equipping your backyard accordingly is a must. Patio furniture, an outdoor grill, landscaping tools and garden supplies are essential to creating an outdoor atmosphere that your family and friends are sure to love. Speaking of the outdoors, don't forget to purchase a lawnmower and trimmer unless you live in a subdivision where lawncare is included in the maintenance fees. If you live in an area that's prone to snowfall, keep this in mind when shopping for maintenance supplies.

The best way to tackle a large list of necessities is to keep a pad of paper nearby and write down each item as you think of it. Think about each area of your new home and do a mental inventory of what is needed. There will always be new items to add to the list, but you will cover the basics with your handy checklist of necessary items for your new home.

Outdoor Décor

Appliances & Cookware

Even if your new home is equipped with appliances, you may still need to add a few items into the mix. For instance, a coffee maker, toaster, microwave or blender may be items you want for your kitchen. You will also need flatware, tableware and a quality dish drainer to hold your dishes that require the handwash method.

Tools

 

When you move into a new home, there will likely be some things to do that require the use of tools. Whether you need to assemble furniture, a desk for your office or just need to tighten some bolts here and there, a good set of tools is a necessity.

Personal Touches

No home is complete without personal touches that represent the new owner's taste, so don't forget to include them on your shopping list. Pictures, paintings, special window dressings, accent pillows, plants, decorative throws, accent rugs and bedding sets will create a custom interior that's all about you. Other things to consider include portable air cleaners, water filters, an answering machine, wastebaskets and a bathroom plunger.

Outdoor Décor

 

If you like to entertain, equipping your backyard accordingly is a must. Patio furniture, an outdoor grill, landscaping tools and garden supplies are essential to creating an outdoor atmosphere that your family and friends are sure to love. Speaking of the outdoors, don't forget to purchase a lawnmower and trimmer unless you live in a subdivision where lawncare is included in the maintenance fees. If you live in an area that's prone to snowfall, keep this in mind when shopping for maintenance supplies.

 

The best way to tackle a large list of necessities is to keep a pad of paper nearby and write down each item as you think of it. Think about each area of your new home and do a mental inventory of what is needed. There will always be new items to add to the list, but you will cover the basics with your handy checklist of necessary items for your new home.

 

My name is Anne Polichetti a real estate agent  with Wilgus Associates, Inc located in Lewes, Delaware and I'd like to talk with you about real estate questions.  I imagine that to a renter or first time buyer most real estate jargon sounds like Greek.  But you may hesitate to call a REALTOR® with your questions for fear that you will then be harassed into doing something you don't want-like buying a home before you're ready!

 

As a REALTOR®, I am not interested in creating unhappy customers.  My job security depends on creating long-term relationships with people who will want to use me again and again in the future.  So let's say you are thinking about buying a home someday, but you have a lot of questions today.  Well, it is definitely in my best interest to take care of your questions today so that when the big day rolls around (next year or the year after that) you will remember that friendly REALTOR®,  (me!) who helped you way back when!!!

 

Now about those questions I mentioned?  Don't worry-there aren't any bad questions!  Real estate can be a complicated business.  That's why I spent years learning all the ins and outs.  There are no questions you could ask which would be any stranger than the ones I asked when I got started!  So, give me a call at my office, 302-645-9215 ext 108 or on my cell phone at 302-228-6253 or click here http://www.4sale2soldrealty.com to find your own answers on my Web site.

 

I look forward to answering all your questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Anne Polichetti,Realtor®GREEN

Wilgus Associates, Inc

1520 Savannah Road

Lewes, De 19958                             

302-645-9215

http://www.4sale2soldrealty.com

 CELL 302-228-6253

 Follow Warren Buffet's advice to "Be cautious when people are being greedy and greedy when people are being cautious."

Milford Delaware is centrally located between the Capital City of Dover and the Delaware Beach Area, in fact the intersection of Rt 1 and Rt 113 is known as the Gateway To Southern  Delaware! Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Baltimore are all less than two hours away.

 Milford was founded in 1680 on the north and south banks of the Mispillion River, Milford was incorporated in 1807.To learn more about Milford's history click here . Milford has an active  Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association

Downtown Milford's crown jewel is the Mispillion Riverwalk, a greenway space designed to preserve the town's waterfront. Along this walk were once located seven shipyards that produced over 600 wooden sailing ships between 1680 and 1927.

The Downtown Farmers Market is open from mid April to the end of October, every Saturday from 9 to 1 and features fresh, locally grown in-season products such as produce, flowers, herbs, meats, eggs, and much more.

 Check out the   Parks and Recreation Center with all kinds of sports, kiddie camps and activities.

The Public Library is also located downtown and is currently undergoing an expansion to better serve the community.

Milford is home to the  Second Street Players. This year-round community theatre produces shows covering practically every genre. Included in their yearly productions, you will find musicals, dramas, comedies, original works, plus Street Kids Summer Camp and cooperative productions with other cultural groups and schools. Get their 2008 Season Brochure and Ticket Order Form by calling them at (302) 422-0220

Milford Memorial Hospital  Located at 21 West Clarke Avenue in Milford is part of the Bayhealth  Medical  Center. You can find information about their services here .

Check out these links for more information on

1 Milford School District

2 The City Of Milford

3 State Parks

4 Shawnee Country Club

5 Fishing Areas and Boating Access

 

Check out my web site when buying or selling real estate in Milford,Delaware

http://www.4sale2soldrealty.com

 

I am affiliated with Wilgus Associates Real Estate,located in Lewes, Delaware which  is an independent real estate brokerage,committed to providing outstanding service and value to buyers and sellers.  We are known for developing quality working relationships with our clientele; relationships based on respect, integrity, and trust. I am  proud to have developed beneficial relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors, and a wide range of housing professionals.

Whether you are purchasing, selling, or both...I ensure that you have the support you need to make to make sound decisions and receive the best deal possible. I will go the extra mile for you!

I will  take the time to listen to your needs and dreams. I will  work tirelessly to facilitate your goals without compromise.
I am committed to treating every client as if they are my #1 priority.

Whether you are buying, selling, or simply considering a move, I  will be happy to speak with you

Anne Polichetti,REALTOR® ,GREEN                                                                             

Wilgus Associates, Inc

1520 Savannah Rd

Lewes,Delaware19958                                              

302-645-9215,ext 108

cell-302-228-6253

Buying a home for the first time is an exciting process.  At the same time, it is one that is filled with many steps and details.  Deciding which home and which mortgage are decisions that have lasting consequences.  As you embark upon your home-buying excursion we suggest you keep in mind these common mistakes of first time homebuyers.

 

#1 Purchasing a home too fast.  Perhaps it's the excitement of buying your first home.  Or maybe it's a fear that the "perfect" home will be purchased by someone else. Whatever the reason, many first time homebuyers make the mistake of rushing through the home purchasing process.  They tend to spend too little time searching for the right home.  Often first time homebuyers end up dissatisfied with the home they've purchased.  Keep your options open and continue to search for new homes that come on the market.

 

#2 Buying too much home.  Another mistake made by first time homebuyers is purchasing a home that's right at, or even a little beyond, their limits.  Many times this leaves the new homeowner with little or no disposable income.  What good is a large home if you are unable to furnish it?  None at all! Purchasing a smaller home and leaving yourself some wiggle room is much better than eating up your monthly income with a large mortgage payment.

 

#3 Holding out for the dream home.  First time homebuyers might pass up several houses they like because they believe that there is a better house out there for them - one that is complete with everything they want and need.  In the meantime, houses that have most of the items they are looking for are being taken off the market by other buyers.  If a significant period of time passes, market prices could go up and the first time homebuyer ends up paying more for a home than expected.  Even worse, the buyer ends up so worn out from house shopping that he, or she, ends up settling.

 

#4 Not getting pre-approved for a mortgage. A pre-approval will do wonders for the first time homebuyer's shopping experience.  Being pre-approved for a mortgage lets you know what you can afford and what your payments will be.  Some first time homebuyers, not realizing the importance of this, forgo pre-approval to get a head start on home shopping.  What's the worst that could happen?  You could find a home you absolutely love and fail to obtain financing for it.  Also, being pre-qualified is NOT the same as being pre-approved.  We have seen many families not get their dream home because they were just pre-qualified.

 

#5 Not comparing mortgages.  Shopping around for a mortgage is just as important as shopping around for the home.  Many first time homebuyers do not realize that mortgages from different lenders have different costs and different terms.  There are so many factors of that can vary from one lender to the next.  It only makes sense to shop around for the best deal.

 

Be informed of the steps that you must take and the decisions you must make as a first time homebuyer.  Information and education are the best tools to equip you during the process of purchasing your first home.

If there ever was one thing that dissuades people from purchasing a home it would be the necessity to perform a multitude of repairs. After all, who wants to purchase a home and then invest tons of money into repairing the property as well as making the requisite time commitment that such repair work would entail? Now, while this situation may sound dreadful on the surface it is actually a great opportunity for an industrious person.

 

If you think this is an idealized description of the situation, then look at it this way: say the average market value of a similar home in the area is $250,000. The home you are considering purchasing is valued at $190,000 due to extensive repair work that is required. So, before making a decision as to whether or not this home is a viable investment purchase it may be wise to examine what the cost of the repairs will be. If the repair work will cost $30,000 then this is not a negative...it is a huge positive! If you do not believe so then simply do the math: $190k plus $30k equals $220K. Remember, the value of the home after repairs will be in the neighborhood of $250K. So, even with $30k in repair work you will end up with acquiring the home at a $30k discount! This is to say nothing of the equity appreciation the home will eventually accrue.

 

Of course, no one wants to purchase a home that is falling apart, but if the required repairs can be overcome by the equity one can acquire then this is far from a bad real estate investment venture.

Setting the right price for a property is important whether you are planning to sell or buy a home. Only by knowing the right market value can you judge the right price for a home. Most people do not understand what market value is and end up selling their homes at a loss or paying too much when buying. If you wish to make an intelligent decision when buying or selling a property then it is crucial to fully understand what market value is.  

The first thing to understand is that the assessed value of a home is not its market value. The assessed value is used by the tax authorities to calculate property taxes. Each municipality has different factors that drive the assessed value. The market value of the property is calculated by taking into consideration the state of the market, recent sales of similar property, current availability of similar property, and other conditions. These two values are completely unrelated and can be vastly different. 

A Realtor or Appraiser has to factor in many things when determining market value. For example the neighborhood has less to do with assessed value than it does with market value. A good neighborhood means higher market value. The location of the property is equally important. The property is assessed based on things like proximity to business districts, highway, town center, and so on. Taking a line from the hotel industry, location is everything. 

The next thing is the condition of a home. Newer or well-maintained homes have higher market value. Homes typically in need of repair have lower market value. The more repairs needed the lower the market value. 

After all of the data is collected the home is compared with similar homes in close proximity. This comparison will include recently sold and on-market homes with a similar market value. Based on all this data the market value is calculated. In today's market, values can change rapidly and it is best to reevaluate your price regularly.

Contact your me for a market analysis of your property. This way you can compare the results for yourself. Quite often you will be given a range as to the market value. An agent is the best resource you have available to you when determining a homes value. Whether you are buying or selling  professional advice and guidance is critical.