Delaware Home Show - 02/29/12 11:35 AM
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How to Beat the Competition and Buy a Foreclosure - 02/29/12 05:01 AM
 
 

Finding a bank-owned home for sale these days is hard enough. Actually buying one is an even bigger problem.
 
Last year the supply of bargain-basement, foreclosure homes shrank, as banks temporarily stopped trying to repossess properties to review possible paperwork errors.
 
But 2012 should be a different story. Lenders are starting to resume foreclosure filings, so more of these distressed homes are expected to be listed for sale.
 
“There’s such demand from buyers,” says Judy Trudel, a real estate agent in Florida. “Whatever foreclosures hit the market this year will be eaten up.”
 
Here’s … (2 comments)

A Weekly Priority Review - 02/29/12 04:45 AM
 
In the rush and stress of life, you can easily lose sight of your personal priorities. And when that happens, you may waste a lot of time on the wrong path. If you're worried about forgetting what's important, start paying attention to what you're really doing in life. Once a week, ask yourself these questions:
 
Did I make a difference in someone else's life this week? Satisfaction comes from making an impact on the world, even a modest one in your own small community of friends. Will your efforts make a difference in the near future? How many other … (0 comments)

3 steps to furnace duct repairs - 02/29/12 04:43 AM
 
You set your thermostat, you hear your furnace come on, and you feel warm air coming out of the registers. All must be OK with the system, right?
Maybe not.
The furnace and the thermostat are only two of the elements in the system that heats and controls the warm air in your home. The third is the duct system, and even though it's delivering warm air to the registers, there's a pretty good chance that it's not doing it at peak efficiency. And every bit of warm air you're losing is money that's coming straight out of your pocket!
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Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival - 02/28/12 08:54 AM
 
 
Chocoholic Heaven At long last, it’s time for the Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival, which goes down March 3 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Show up to taste the entries, or take the bold step of entering your own creation in the Chocolate Baking Contest, There are categories for chocolate makers of all abilities, from kids to amateur to pro, as well as sub-categories such as cookies, cakes, brownies and more. Anything goes, which means if you think you make the best fudge on earth, you should be here. Or go to sample offerings from local places such as … (2 comments)

Existing-Home Sales Rise Again in January, Inventory Down - 02/25/12 07:50 AM
 

Existing-home sales rose in January, marking three gains in the past four months, while inventories continued to improve, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
 
Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 4.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.57 million in January from a downwardly revised 4.38 million-unit pace in December and are 0.7 percent above a spike to 4.54 million in January 2011.
 
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said strong gains in contract activity in recent months show buyers are responding to very favorable … (4 comments)

Pros and cons of 9 bathtub materials - 02/22/12 01:03 PM
 
Last month, we discussed some of the many options available when replacing a bathtub or a tub/shower combo.
But what we didn't look at were the many different material choices you have, and since that time I've gotten several questions from homeowners looking change out their bathtub, all with a similar dilemma -- "I'm not sure what material it should be constructed of."
Let's look at some of the different choices, and try to clear up a bit of the confusion.
 
To begin with, you might be surprised to find that you have more options than you would have … (1 comments)

Tips for Taking Incredible Vacation Photos - 02/16/12 04:04 PM
One wonderful aspect of traveling is capturing images of your experience on film so that you can peruse your photographs later and reminisce. Here are some tips from Fodor's, experts on travel, to help ensure that your photographic keepsakes are as breathtaking as the real thing:
From the Air - Pictures taken from inside airplanes are problematic because the plastic windows are so thick they destroy sharpness. Still, the quality is fine for 4 x 6-inch album prints. You can minimize the blurring by getting the lens as close to the window as possible, but avoid touching the surface or fuselage … (1 comments)

HUD Awards Nearly $1.8 Billion to Improve and Preserve Public Housing - 02/14/12 06:56 AM
 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan recently awarded nearly $1.8 billion to public housing authorities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funds will allow these agencies to make major large-scale improvements to their public housing units, the organization announced.
 
According to HUD, these grants are provided through the organization’s Capital Fund Program, which provides annual funding to all public housing authorities to build, repair, renovate and/or modernize the public housing in their communities. This funding can be used to make large-scale improvements such as … (0 comments)

Amazon Rainforest Facts - 02/13/12 07:15 AM
 
The Amazon Rainforest is an amazing place. For starters, it's the largest rainforest in the world; it is 2/3 the size of the continental United States. Rivers in the Amazon produce 20 percent of the world's freshwater discharge. And when it comes to carbon storage, the Amazon holds the equivalent of 10 years' worth of global fossil-fuel emissions.
 
The Amazon is also wonderfully diverse. Here are just a few of the living things that can be found in the Amazon Rainforest:
 
There are 20 to 100 different tree species per acre in the Amazon. The total number of … (3 comments)

Don’t Hibernate. Decorate! - 02/13/12 07:05 AM
 
 

Perk up your winter with one of these do-it-yourself projects for easy-to-update surfaces, including interior doors, walls and mirrors.
 
Glass Act Add pizzazz to a plain mirror with glass tiles. You can use them for backsplashes, shower walls and even a mantel surround. This project is perfect for any bedroom, bath or hallway.
 
Good to Know:The glass tiles will add weight to the mirror. And if you choose to grout the tiles, this will make the finished piece even heavier. Use appropriate fasteners for your wall type.
 
Clever Cover Give interior doors a chance to … (1 comments)

Mortgages Likely to Change Hands - 02/11/12 10:21 AM
 

“Who owns my mortgage?”
 
It’s a frequently asked question, and the reason is always the same: A change is needed. Someone is trying to refinance the mortgage, or is trying to save a house from foreclosure, among possible scenarios.
 
Finding the answer to this question has become extremely important to many homeowners, but especially those in financial trouble. The many programs designed to stem the record tide of foreclosures have different requirements, depending on where your mortgage ended up after you signed that huge stack of papers at settlement.
 
For example, if your mortgage is guaranteed … (0 comments)

Pet Insurance Health Plans for Fido and Fluffy - 02/10/12 07:11 AM
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Housing is economy's elephant in the room - 02/08/12 11:07 AM
 
In a double surprise, the job market may at last have begun to revive, but the double-the-forecast, 243,000-job surge in January has done little harm to mortgages. We are still near 4 percent; with 10-year Treasury notes up from 1.82 percent but holding nicely at 1.95 percent.
Ordinarily a payroll jump like this would have killed us, especially in combination with strong results in the two Institute for Supply Management surveys for January: manufacturing to 54.1 from 53.1 in December, and the service sector way up to 56.8 from 52.6 last month.
 
Some of the calm reaction in markets … (1 comments)

List of Improving Housing Markets Expands to Nearly 100 - 02/07/12 08:10 AM
 
 
The list of housing markets showing measurable improvement expanded by 29 metros in February to include a total of 98 entries on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. Thirty-six states are now represented by at least one market on the list.
 
The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. The February index adds some metropolitan areas that have been particularly weak; this is due to the fact that the IMI measures improvement from … (2 comments)

Don’t Forget a Home Inspection with a New Construction Home - 02/06/12 02:10 PM
 

Every home—whether it’s a resale or new—has some kind of an issue, and the reality is that there is no “perfect” house. Many homebuyers embark on their search for a home with the belief that new homes should be flawless, when this is never actually the case.
 
Problems are found in all homes, but the issues with new homes are totally different than the defects found in resale homes. When evaluating a resale home, most problems are often related to older systems that are near the end of their service life. On the other hand, problems in new … (2 comments)

The Fine Art of Chocolate Tasting - 02/04/12 09:49 AM
   
Learning to taste fine chocolate is both a skill and a pleasure that allows you to savor the distinctive personalities and subtle flavor differences of gourmet chocolate.
 
When tasting, under ideal conditions, the chocolate should be at a temperature between 66-76 degrees F. The texture should be smooth with no noticeable grain, and the taste should be slightly bitter, but not acrid.
 
The technique for tasting chocolate is similar to that of wine-tasting; you want to take note of the color, aroma, flavor, and finish. The chocolate should have a rich, glossy appearance with no fat bloom … (1 comments)

Investment Alert: Can You Afford a Second Home? - 02/04/12 09:02 AM
 

Most of us have dreamt of having a vacation home. It could be on the beach in New England, somewhere tropical, or even somewhere foreign. Many consumers don’t realize that with the proper research, their dream vacation home might actually be in reach. Instead of visualizing how relaxing vacations and weekend getaways could be, why not try to make your second home a reality?
 
The first step to purchasing a second home is organizing your finances to make sure you can afford it without compromising the security of your other assets.
 
These tips can help you assess … (0 comments)

Energy-Efficient Windows - 02/03/12 10:03 AM
Energy-efficient windows can help you lower heating and cooling costs while making your home look more attractive. If you are planning to install new energy-efficient windows in your home, there are three factors to keep in mind: frame, glass and installatio
First, the frame can be constructed out of a variety of materials, including aluminum, vinyl and wood. Aluminum is not a practical choice in most areas because the metal conducts temperature and can fluctuate between hot or cold; however, because of its durability, aluminum may be the best option in coastal areas or rainy climates. Vinyl is inexpensive and practical, … (0 comments)

How to Apologize - 02/03/12 09:58 AM
 

Apologizing isn’t so much an art as a sport. When approached as a skill to build, governed by a few simple rules, the apology almost always achieves its goal—despite any fumbles during delivery. When it’s over, everyone wins.
 
Degree of difficulty: Medium to hard, depending on aversion to eye contact.
 
1. Forget dodge ball; apologizing is a contact sport. “Eye-to-eye, face-to-face, that’s the one way it works,” said Maribeth Kuzmeski, author of “The Engaging Child” (Red Zone Publishing) and “The Connectors” (Wiley), both relationship skills books. “My son, when he was younger … (would) write a note … (2 comments)

The Gold Standard - 02/02/12 07:42 AM
 
You've likely seen television commercials recently about investing in gold. You also may see gold as a symbol of wealth, beauty or power, but what else do you know about it? Here are a few facts about the precious element that may surprise you:
 
The United States pours more steel in one hour than the volume of gold poured in recorded history. Experts believe that as much as 80 percent of the gold on earth is still in the ground. About 75 percent of all gold ever produced has been extracted since 1910. Because it's so pliable, one ounce … (3 comments)

Sellers: Don't overdo it on home improvements - 02/02/12 07:34 AM
Homeowners who are thinking about selling this year should be aware of what today's buyers are looking for in a home. It will affect what you should do to get your home ready for sale, and how you should price it.
A survey by the National Association of REALTORS® in 2011 found that buyers favor walkable neighborhoods that are close to shops, restaurants and local businesses over neighborhoods that require more driving between home, work and recreation.
 
According to the survey, 77 percent of the respondents said they would look for pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Improvement in public transportation was favored over … (4 comments)

Lewes Polar Bear Plunge - 02/01/12 11:23 AM
 
 
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Delaware Today Magazine's Bridal Show - 02/01/12 11:19 AM
 
Live fashion show produced by Barbizon Modeling featuring the hottest wedding trends. Complete selection of the finest local wedding professionals in a sophisticated atmosphere. Enjoy fabulous hors d'oeuvres. Great door prizes. Visit our "Groom Room" featuring attractions for the guys. Tickets cost $8 in advance, or $10 at the door. Phone: 302-504-1364E-mail: Tickets@delawaretoday.com
  Details When Sunday, February 26, 2012 12:00 PM - 3:30 PMEastern Time Zone
Where Deerfield507 Thompson Station RoadNewark, Delaware 19711302-504-1364
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Vapor barrier tips for walls, floors - 02/01/12 07:15 AM
 
Moisture is something we all need to have in order to survive, and it's surrounding us all the time. Unfortunately, it's also the enemy of a lot of our building materials, and if it gets into the wrong places in our homes and is allowed to remain, it can do a lot of damage.
To keep moisture from getting where it doesn't belong, builders use what are known as vapor barriers. The more you understand about what vapor barriers are and how they work in conjunction with the insulation in your home -- especially when you're doing remodeling and repair … (1 comments)

 
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Christopher Pataki Hockessin Delaware Real Estate

Hockessin, DE

More about me…

RE/MAX Associates

Address: 1302 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE, 19707

Office Phone: (302) 234-3800

Cell Phone: (302) 562-0628

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