Not first in the contest of cheapest gas prices in the nation that is... According to AAA MidAtlantic our neighbor to the east edged us out for the title of the lowest average gas price in the country. The average gallon of gas in New Jersey is now $3.421 per gallon compared to $3.445 in Delaware for Regular. Delaware's gas prices remain about 20 cents below the nation's average. You can fill up at $3.27 per gallon at a Gulf gas station in Dover, Delaware! Well this news isn't great (because it is still expensive), every penny helps.

Delaware's Cheapest Gas Prices - Updated Daily

AAA Average Gas Price Index

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Billie Chubb

Chubb Realty Group

www.billiechubb.com

302-478-6425

"Born Here, Raised Here, Top Realtor Here."

Technically summer is not officially over, but in the real estate industry...This is fall and one of the hottest times of the year. It is always good to know how the market is performing and today I am going to provide you with the August Existing Homes sales numbers for New Castle County, Delaware. Now remember these statistics are of a very narrow period of time and should not be foreseen as a trend, it is for informative purposes only. All figures are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed and are sourced from TREND MLS.

In August of 2007 we saw 1175 homes listed compared with 838 homes in August of 2008, a 28.68% decline year over year.  388 homes went pending and 465 homes settled compared to 524 homes pended and 702 homes that settled in 2007. The average sold price was 267,661 with an average of 62 days on market compared to 261,216 and 49 days on market in 2007.

The inventory in Delaware continues to climb as we have seen a net addition of 1391 units over from January to August. We have seen a combined total of 8,201 houses listed in 2008 and only 7,867 homes pended or sold. From January to August in 2007 it took a home an average of 51 days to sell compared to 69 days in 2008, an 18 day difference. While there is a lot of bleak news in these statistics I personally believe the most important indicator is the average sold price. In 2008 from January to August homes sold for an average of $275,602 compared to $296,598 in 2007. This is a 7.08% decline in home sales from January to August of 2008 compared to January to August of 2007.  

As I always say, Real Estate is a long term investment. Purchase a home because you fall in love with it or can see the potential of the diamond in the rough. Do not purchase a home for the quick buck; those are the people who in the end get hurt. Hang in there, Delaware continues to be one of the best performing markets in the Country! If you are a first time homebuyer, then this might be the time to buy. For 2008, the government is offering a $7,500 tax credit for first time homebuyers and a homeowner can also write off the interest on their home loan! A home purchase can save a homeowner thousands of dollars on April 15^th! Wondering what your home is worth, then give me a call for a Certified Market Analysis at 302-478-6425.

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Billie Chubb

Chubb Realty Group

www.billiechubb.com

302-478-6425

"Born Here, Raised Here, Top Realtor Here."

    VS.

The first state has narrowed it down to two... The fight for the Governor office is now down to the State Treasurer Jack Markell for the Democrat Party and former Superior Court judge Bill Lee for the Republican Party. This primary turnout was a record shattering turnout with nearly 103,000 people voting.

In yesterdays primary Jack markell defeated Lt. Governor John Carney Jr. with 51.2% voting for Markell and 48.8% for Carney. The Democrat primary results are considered to be major upset as Lt. Governor Carney was favored to win. Former Superior Court judge bill Lee defeated Mike Protack with 71.9% of the vote. Bill Lee is following up with his second Governor bid after losing to Governor Minner in a close race in 2004. Protack's name will still appear on the general election ballot for the Independent Party of Delaware.

So far it has been the costliest gubernatorial race in Delaware's history with over $5 million spent so far.

Learn what each candidate stands for at:

http://www.markell.org/

http://www.leedelaware.com/

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Billie Chubb

Chubb Realty Group

www.billiechubb.com

302-478-6425

"Born Here, Raised Here, Top Realtor Here."

Everyone knows American Life Insurance, one of the countries largest insurance firms as "AIG". Even with the economy beginning to slow, companies are still finding that Delaware is the best and most competitive place to do business.

On September 5th, 2008 AIG and Commonwealth Group, the owner of the building announced the leasing of over 38,000 square feet at 405 North King Street, Wilmington, Delaware. This Class A+ office space is in Wilmington's Lower Market Design District. The building is adjacent to the court house, three blocks from Wilmington's Amtrak station and the revived Riverfront.

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Billie Chubb

Chubb Realty Group

www.billiechubb.com

302-478-6425

"Born Here, Raised Here, Top Realtor Here."

I guess foreclosures aren't that bad for this family of Bobcats. A family of Bobcats have taken over a foreclosed home in California. I have yet to hear of anything other then termites taking over a Foreclosure in Delaware. Just wanted to share a funny story of a rather bleak situation.

Read the article:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laland/2008/09/bobcats-on-a-ba.html

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Billie Chubb

Chubb Realty Group

www.billiechubb.com

302-478-6425

"Born Here, Raised Here, Top Realtor Here."

Originally my goal was 20,000 points in the first month, but I guess I can settle on 15,000! With this post I will have cracked the 15,000 mark and it feeeeels good.

Amazing as I have only been on active rain for a month that so many of my blogs actually come up in searches about Delaware. I have yet to receive any leads, but am hopeful as I continue to put more things out there.

My goal for the month at the end of September is to have 25,000 points. This is a great community where I can pass time and have found lots of helpful information.

If you live in North Wilmington, Delaware then you know where to find the Brandywine Town Center. There are soon to be some minor changes to the configuration of the shopping complex.

The deed is going to be amended to allow the current owners, Acadia Realty Trust to lease about 6,000 square feet of empty space beneath the large glass dome. Acadia will also be allowed to build a 45,000 square foot detached building on the site.

Other future changes to the site will include:

•   The commuter park-and-ride lot near a day care at the back of the complex by Lowes will be moved to a new location near Naamans and Shipley roads.

•   Two undeveloped restaurant pads will no longer be developed and will now become open space that will include a children's play area and new walking paths.

The battle between the Brandywine Town Center and the North Wilmington Community dates back to the mid-1980's. The site was originally home to a racetrack and was rezoned for commercial use. The shopping center was originally promised to be an upscale mall to rival Concord Mall; however plans were reworked to house a commercial facility ancored by large retail stores like Target, Petsmart, Lowes, Christmas Tree Shops and a 16 screen Regal Cinema.

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Billie Chubb

Chubb Realty Group

www.billiechubb.com

302-478-6425

"Born Here, Raised Here, Top Realtor Here."