Christopher Pataki's Blog

Newark Rehabbed Colonial Home

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:36:25 -0600

Beautifully rehabbed home on quiet cul-de-sac. New kitchen, main floor laundry, wood burning fireplace, 2 car garage and huge back yard make this a wonderful opportunity for the first time or move up owners. All of this for a very affordable price. Don't miss out on the Federal Tax Credit opportunities!

New Kitchen	Wood Burning F/P	2 Car Garage
Fenced Yard	Over 1/4 Acre	Refinished Baths
Main Floor Laundry	Office/Den	Must See!!

Click for more Info

Beautifully Maintained End Unit Townhouse Near Delaware Art Museum

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:34:42 -0600

Walking distance to the Delaware Art Museum, this lovely townhouse has the benefits of convenient location in highly sought after area of Wilmington. A sense of community comes from the very low turnover of neighbors. Convenient to all city attractions without the hustle and bustle of high traffic. Privacy fencing and beautiful flowering trees gives you a peaceful oasis. Come see this well maintained home and you will know immediately why the original owners stayed so long.

Virtual Tour

Affordable Elegance in Kent County

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:57:30 -0600

Freshly painted and new carpet throughout! Enjoy your bright kitchen with plenty of cabinet and counter space, easy access pantry and skylight. The master bedroom has a large walk-in closet and sizable master bathroom. Open living and dining area with cathedral ceilings. Sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors in your large enclosed 3 season room. Take advantage of all the amenities Barclay Farms has to offer. Beautiful clubhouse with an outdoor pool, hot tub and fitness center. Special events, parties, and regularly scheduled activities all conveniently located in your community!

For additional information CLICK HERE

Great Find in New Castle

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:51:43 -0600

Superb, spacious home with loads of upgrades for the fortunate buyer! Special features include huge country kitchen with hardwood floors, recessed lighting and upgraded cabinetry, sunken family room with two skylights and eyeball lighting, formal living room with walkout bay window, hardwood staircase, master suite with whirlpool tub, ceiling fans, full basement with bilco doors, security system, pool, rear deck, new front door and shutters, shed irrigation system, neutral decor and more! Don't miss this gem!

For additional information CLICK HERE

It's Just Math - Simple Math

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:58 -0600

For Buyers who may be on the fence as to buying now or waiting until next year, here is a simple calculation that can help make your decision easier. Let's say that your buyers are waiting for the prices of homes to drop another 5%. Over the same time frame interest rates increase by 1%. A simple example of why to buy now is as follows

Purchase price today 200,000 at 5% interest gives a principal and interest payment of $1073.

Waiting until the price drops 5% but the interest rate is 6% gives a principal and interest payment of $1139.

$66 per month may not seem like alot but it becomes almost $8000 after 10 years and $8000 is what every first time home buyer is trying to get. It is just a simple math problem.

Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:45:36 -0600

I was a little upset last week that Congress had almost let the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit lapse before they acted on it. Yesterday both houses did what needed to be done. They extended and expanded the tax credit. It appears that Congress also thought outside the box. To incent current homeowners to become move up buyers, this bill may have expanded the real estate market activity exponentially. We have had very underwhelming spring seasons for 4 years now and this may change the outlook and opportunities that help potential sellers get off the fence. Kudos to our Washington leaders.

Click for Free Home Search

Go Phillies! - It is time for a Philadelphia Repeat

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:48:52 -0500

It is time for Phillie Phans to show some solidarity. Naysayers can be heard everywhere so let us be positive and loud! It has be 30+ years since a back to back celebrations(of the 4 major sports teams). This town can use the positive national attention and each of us can help. Show your support of the 2009 (soon to be) World Champions by wearing RED on Wednesday. This may be a small thing to do but each of us should be able to support this Phantastic effort............................chris

It's Time for the Government to Make Decisions on $8000 Tax Credit

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:30:24 -0500

Almost everyone saw this coming (except possibly Congress). An offer for government subsidized first time home purchases - an $8000 Federal Tax Credit - is about to expire. Somehow the date of expiration was passed as December 1. Many people at first glance saw that date as the end of the year (and procrastinated accordingly).

Guess when thousands of them started looking for their first homes - during the past month. Unfortunately that puts a huge stress on the entire purchase system. With Veterans Day and Thanksgiving (weekend) occurring in the month of November the end of month crunch for settlements will be even greater than normal.

Unforeseen delays and errors will take place. The overcrowded piles on the desks of processors and underwriters will continue to grow and settlement slots in attorney offices will become full. The stress on home buyers is already very high but not knowing makes this process even worse. Many of these buyers will not be able to settle without the stimulus.

Hundreds of thousands of Realtors, Lenders, Lawyers, etc., have contacted their Senators and Representative to extend the credit and probably received positive responses to their inquiries.

Congress, now is decision time! Either announce an extension now or at least make a date to grandfather those people who have already made mortgage applications, and qualify for the credit, that the credit will still be allowed. This is not one of the many pork projects that waste taxpayer money. This is REAL stimulus. Lets show some good faith to your constituents and take care of this today!..................chris

Things Are Looking Better in 3rd Quarter for New Castle County

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:15:14 -0500

There are some real good signs for the housing market in New Castle County Delaware.

Days on market continued to drop to under 70 days - lowest in the year
New listings are jumping with over 950 new homes being listed in September
Sold homes are up almost 100 units (6.5%) over the 3rd quarter 2008
Pended homes were up 14% over the 3rd quarter 2008
Homes sold on average 93% of original listing price

Lets hope this upward trend continues through the fourth quarter. It is a no secret that the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has helped make this improvement possible with upwards of 40% of homes being sold to first time home buyers. If you have not already done so, make sure to contact your Congressmen and Senators and let them know that we need to extend the housing tax credit.

Best wishes to a successful 4th Quarter.

Dream Home in Newark - Open Sunday 10/25 2-4pm

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:25:43 -0500

From the time you walk through the front door, you will be ready to make this house your home. A brand new kitchen including an new dishwasher and stove greet you. Follow the new tile flooring and carpet through the first floor to see the care taken in rebuilding this wonderful home. Follow out back to the new deck for outdoor entertainment. Additional improvements include a new garage door, hot water heater, heating system and central air conditioner. First home buyers take advantage of the $8000 Federal Tax Credit. Don't let this opportunity get away. Preapprovals must state that a tri-merged credit bureau has been reviewed. Click Here for the Virtual Tour

Better Than New Ranch in Tybrook!

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:06:42 -0500

Open this weekend! Sunday 1-4. Send your buyers this weekend or wish you had on Monday.

Better than new home in highly sought after Tybrook. Completely rehabbed from top to bottom including a new roof, new kitchen, new bathrooms, new carpeting, a new office/bedroom in the basement, new laundry room, and refinished hardwood floors. Add a new concrete patio for outdoor entertaining and you have your dream home. Top it off with an 8000 DOLLAR TAX CREDIT for purchasing your first home. Come see it today because pictures alone can't do this home justice.

Click here for additional information on this property.

Click here for addtional information on the $8000 Tax Credit.

Open House Sunday 1-4 PM

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:41:36 -0600

A Gem in Newark has been unveiled. Extreme makeover since 2004 with updates including a new kitchen, new bathrooms, new air conditioning, heating systems, flooring, windows - you need to see it for yourself. A den/playroom was built on the first floor for added living space. The finished basement includes a recreation room as well as an exercise room. Out back boasts a privacy fence and multi level patio for outdoor entertaining. Don't overlook your chance to find this incredible opportunity!

405 Brewster Drive, Sycamore Gardens, Newark, Delaware, 19711

Duplex in Wilmington

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:28:54 -0500

24 Hour Information Hot-line 866-959-6757 extension 102.

Heritage Park Listing - $ 290,000

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:39:20 -0500

You are going to love this home. Largest model in Heritage Park. This 4-5 bedroom home has plenty of space for living and storage. The fenced back yard gives you plenty of privacy. Spend your summer getting to know your neighbors at the nearby community swim pool or the county park that includes walking paths, horse stables and bark park for exercising the dogs. In the fall there are hay rides concluding with a camp fire. Elementary and middle schools are located right down the street for convenience. There are countless reasons to move here today! Put this home on your next tour.

Help with web site home searches

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 09:06:56 -0500

I have a point2agent web site that I have used for about a year. Our MLS does not agree with the Handshake agreements that point2agent uses. For this reason they will not allow IDX of their service to a point2agent site and point2agent searches only registerred National Listing Service listings. Is there a way to build a simple search engine that uses other than MLS links for my site but captures all available listed homes? Let me know your thoughts..............chris

Open House Season

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:42:21 -0600

Today was a nice sign that spring is in the air. It was sunny and mild with plenty of people visiting open houses. I stopped by several and found that the hosts were all pleased with their turn outs. With the ever increasing amounts of inventory do any of you have suggestions of how to stand out or differentiate from the norm. Have any of you had success with varying times for open houses? Let me know your thoughts...................chris

Highlands of Heritage Park Home for Sale - $ 275,000

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:34:30 -0600

Back on the market! Well maintained "Holiday" split located in popluar Highlands of Heritage Park. This 3/4 bedroom welcomes you to a family room w/fireplace insert, the 4th bedroom/study and a powder room. The open floor plan of the living room, dining room and kitchen, all with hardwood floors, completes the downstairs. The entire upstairs, consisting of 3 bedrooms, 2 with walk-in closets, and a full bath with dressing area, have hardwood floors. In the past 12 years the roof, vinyl siding, windows, furnace, A/C and hot water heater have been replaced. In 7/07 the entire interior and exterior was freshly painted neutral, new carpet installed, new storm door and new foyer light. Don't miss your chance to call this house, HOME!

OPEN HOUSE Sunday March 2, 2008 1-3PM

Thoughts on recruiting

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:01:24 -0600

I am a one year new agent with EXiT Central Realty in Newark, Delaware. I am not sure I am truly qualified to recruit new or seasoned agents to my company. I am told different in the office. How do your offices encourage/limit the process for agent recruiting? Are there any unique approaches that other offices take to bring new agents in? Let me know your thoughts.........................chris

exit2DE.com

Sore Doggie Feet

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:40:20 -0600

I have been walking regularly with my neighbor and our dogs for a couple of years in a 200 acre piece of land in PA. The last couple of days, my neighbor's dog has had some of his nails split causing severe bleeding. Have any of you had nail issues? Was anything in particular the cause? How did you treat them to stop the bleeding and keep the pain reduced? Let me know your thoughts.......................chris

exit2DE.com

Drip Emails - Are they a help or hinderence to business

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:13:26 -0600

Last year I began using to types of lead generators with two different websites. One advocated the use of drip emails and the other did not have the capability. Using both I found that I just kept ignoring the web site with the drips leaving me with less than stellar results with those leads. I did not have any connection to them and received less benefit from the site. I just came across a company that supplies drips to real estate professionals but am wondering if the investment is worth the trouble. Have any of you found ways to use drip emails with current customers/clients? Let me know your thoughts................chris

exit2DE.com

Who Rescued Whom?

Christopher Pataki Newark Delaware Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:11:50 -0600

On December 23, 2005 our family life changed with the adoption of Chance. Chance is part black lab, part border collie and part Mexican jumping bean (he can touch his nose to the top of the sliding glass door when excited). This was Chance's second rescue and I was hesitant at first to take on the responsibility of owning a dog again. What a great choice to take a chance on Chance. He came complete with a dog owner manual - already responding to commands, coming to his name, sitting and getting along with all of the other dogs at the local "Bark Park". After about a month, most of the family forgot the fact that you need to take care of a dog daily so Chance became attached to one owner - me.

At the time we adopted Chance, I had some health issues including an auto-immune disease, diabetes and several other ailments. Chance saved me! His need to be exercised was the best thing for all of my ailments. We became friends with a neighbor - Rio who lured us to walk in the state owned property on the border between Delaware and Pennsylvania. The two dogs got the opportunity to run free for miles in open land without getting lost or dangers associated with walking around people, cars, etc.

We have taken this walk for every weekday for the past 2 years and it has completely changed my life. It breaks my morning up from administrative real estate tasks and gives Chance the opportunity to interact with his best buddy. The other benefits have come with the loss of about 70 unwanted (and unneeded) pounds of weight, control over my diabetes and other health issues. During 2006, I was only able to work a partial work schedule and now with my added exercise regimen, am quite frequently able to work countless hours per week.

Thank you Chance for rescuing me!