Lewes, Delaware awaits the return of the Lightship Overfalls TODAY! - 05/31/09 12:04 PM
The town of Lewes is abuzz with people and bikes and boats - all coming to see the arrival of the Lightship Overfalls.

"We plan to start the welcome home celebration around 2 PM at the slip. Please bring some munchies and the Overfalls will provide the rest. Sam and Mariah Calagione have donated some Dogfish Head beer so those of us who appreciate an excellent brew will be very satisfied. The public is welcome at our celebration so please tell your friends and neighbors if you think they would enjoy it."
I plan to go and bring my camera and … (0 comments)

Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival Memorial Day Weekend - 05/21/09 10:01 AM
May 23rd-       Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival Milton Memorial Park & Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge

Friday Night-Delaware Comedy Improv Theatre7 PM in the tent in Memorial ParkFun for all ages-tickets $5.00; kids under 10-$1.00Saturday-8:30 AM to 4 PMPRIME HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGERt 16 East, left at Turkle Pond Rd.Hay Rides, Trail Walks, Birding, Canoe & Kayak tour & lots of NatureCall 302-684-8419 for details about Fowler Beach field trip10 AM til 4 PMDOWNTOWN HISTORIC MILTONEvents throughout the town. Crafts, Art Tent for artists of all ages, Rides, Great food, Plane Ride Raffle, Boat trips on the Broadkill River, Live Entertainment. … (1 comments)

Have you Googled yourself Lately? - 05/18/09 09:43 AM
This morning I was taking my own advice and Googled my name to see what I had been up to lately. As I sipped my coffee and got to Page 4, I saw a quote in an article that I had totally forgotten about. There it was -
By expanding your knowledge of universal design, you’ll put yourself ahead of your competition, says Kathy Sperl-Bell, CRS®, SRES®, a salesperson with RE/MAX Realty Group in Lewes, Del., who has built her business around the boomer niche.
Then it came back to me. This article was published on Realtor Magazine Online back in … (7 comments)

More Dinner Parties in Lewes, Delaware - 05/17/09 09:47 AM
On any given night in Lewes, Delaware, there are more dinner parties being hosted than anywhere else in the country! At least that's what the Hostess for the Historic Lewes Farmer's Market Dinner reported last evening.

 
Maybe that's where the idea came from. First we all met at the Lewes Historical Society complex for a wine and cheese reception. Despite the forecast, it was a sunny late afternoon as we mingled and learned where we were going to be having dinner.

We were each given a card with the name of our Hosts, their address and directions! There … (2 comments)

Are Broker's Open Houses Effective? - 05/13/09 01:49 PM
What a perfect day for a Broker's Open House! All those April showers did produce some wonderful May flowers AND it's a beautiful sunny day. Between 12 and 3 pm, 15 agents came through my listing and 3 other homes in the town of Milton, Delaware.
ARE BROKER'S OPEN HOUSES EFFECTIVE IN YOUR MARKET?
Ask me in a few weeks if this one was effective. If any of today's agents end up working with the right kind of buyer, they were very impressed with what they saw. Will their buyer be qualified? Will they be able to get financing? Will they be looking for … (12 comments)

The Jack Pack meets with Governor Jack Markell of Delaware - 05/12/09 07:21 PM
Tonight was the first time since Inauguration Day back in January that the JACK PACK met with Delaware's new Governor Jack Markell. Like President Obama, Governor Markell inherited quite a challenge from his predecessor. Unlike the President, the State of Delaware is mandated to "balance the budget" and Delaware was $750,000 or so short a few weeks ago.
All of us in the JACK PACK are grateful that Jack Markell is up to the task and running the state during this challenging time.
I am not generally one to volunteer and work for politicians whether local or national, but I know … (0 comments)

Garbage In, Garbage Out! - 05/11/09 08:03 PM
Last week I was getting ready for a buyer client coming to Coastal Delaware to search for a beach house. Not just any beach house; they are looking for one that also has a rental unit on the property. It could be attached or over the garage. It could be an efficiency or a two bedroom. The general idea is to find a property that they can use as a getaway and generate some income during the peak vacation season.
Lots of people want to do this, but this couple has a realistic budget, is well qualified, and really can make this kind of purchase … (5 comments)

Price War AND a Beauty Contest! - 05/10/09 06:35 PM
At a real estate conference last year, one of the instructors commented - "We are in a Price War AND a Beauty Contest".
When I am on a listing appointment, I relay this to the Sellers and politely explain that the Buyers are in charge right now. They can cherry pick the homes for sale and choose the absolute best homes and negotiate hard to get the best buy. It's just the way things are. Back in 2005, the Sellers were in charge and they got used to multiple offers at or above the asking price. Today's buyers are more discerning … (5 comments)

Years in business do not equal KNOWLEDGE - 05/09/09 07:14 AM
There are no easy loans these days. At least in my market, there are only 4 ways a buyer can purchase a property:
CASH 20% down AND excellent credit - 750 range FHA which has a maximum loan amount of $375,000 USDA Rural Housing which has income limits For those in the mortgage business that are reading this, don't write and tell me about other solutions; these are the real options.
Even if the client should qualify for an FHA loan or USDA Rural Housing loan, you need to make sure that the buyer is working with a loan officer and … (7 comments)

But I have perfect credit! - 05/08/09 03:45 PM
It's one thing to hear how difficult it is to obtain a mortgage on the news; it's another to experience the reality with our buyers these days.
I have been working with a couple that truly has perfect credit. Based on their credit report and income, my Mortgage Professional could qualify them for over $1 Million! BUT, they cannot put 20% down. They are moving from an area where home prices have remained relatively stable and that's both good and bad. It's good because homes are still selling, but it's bad because they will not have much cash to cover a … (9 comments)

Realtors hobnobbing with the Legislators in Delaware! - 05/07/09 12:07 PM
Last week I did something I have never done before -
I attended the Legislative Action Day sponsored by our Delaware Association of Realtors PAC and I'm glad I did. It actually made me feel much better about our state government because here is what I learned -
Many of our State Representatives are small business owners and they do get it!
That's not necessarily true at the federal level where you find career politicians. If you have never participated in your state's efforts to engage your local politicians, I recommend you give it a try. We do have influence and … (0 comments)

A Chat with John Milton in the town named for him - Milton, Delaware! - 05/06/09 09:59 AM
On a recent walk through town with my husband, I stopped for a chat with John Milton. In 2008, his statue was placed on this comfortable bench in the heart of our newest park.

 
As our Mayor commented on the town's web site, "When traveling to Milton please stop by and visit our new Town Hall, one that captures the historic atmosphere of the Town and at the same time provides a professional home for conducting our daily business. Stroll along Governor's Walk, which will take you along the Broadkill River, the very river that once thrived with sea captains … (0 comments)

The Good Old Days of Real Estate are GONE! - 05/05/09 03:25 PM
The other night one of our local builders hosted a dinner party for a small group of local Brokers and Agents. Bill and I were included and it was quite an event. The wine was flowing and the food was excellent. They wanted to thank us for bringing our Buyer Clients to see the community and keep us informed about their progress.
It's always interesting to network with other agents and compare notes on how business is going. We sat with a broker who has been in the busines here for a very long time. We talked about working with buyers and her … (5 comments)

 
0001bell

Kathy Sperl-Bell

Lewes, DE

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Active Adults Realty

Address: 1504 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE, 19958

Office Phone: (302) 424-1890

Cell Phone: (302) 542-1203

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