Delaware Bike Route 1... Did you know...?

Recently I stumbled across this road route completely by accident.  Delaware Bike Route 1 is a bike route that connects the top of the state to the bottom.  From Yorklyn to Bethany and beyond.  It is marked by those little green signs with a bike logo and a number 1 emblazoned on it.  I have seen them for years and had no clue.  Those signs seem to be everywhere once you start paying attention.  For a description of where the route actually runs click here.

Did you know that Delaware was just ranked the 4th most bike friendly State in the Union?  That is up one tick from last year when we were ranked 5th.  That is not too shabby for a little state where there is not much to do.  Wait, did I just say that?  Did you know that we have some of the best roads and mountain bike trails for hundreds of miles around?  I am not puffing here - some are world class!

The older I get the more I am getting back to riding my bike (or, as my wife likes to point out, bikes...)  Did you know that riding your bike is actually good for you?  Who knew?  Its actually even fun when you get out and ride with friends, albeit you have to be into suffering a bit when you start riding with faster groups.  To top it all off, it makes me feel like a kid again.  Who doesn't love that?

Real Estate Tip:Clean Contracts

"Clean" is a term that is often used to describe an offer on a house. A "clean" offer does not refer to the price of the house, but to the terms of the agreement. If you really want a particular house, the "cleaner" you can make your offer, the better.

What are the characteristics of a clean contract? A contract is considered "clean" when the buyers are paying cash or are clearly qualified for a mortgage, the sale isn't contingent on the sale of another home, the buyers don't ask the sellers to carry any of the financing, and if the closing date coincides with the sellers' needs. A clean contract doesn't have any unusual requests for repairs or insistence that certain articles convey that would not ordinarily stay in the house. A clean offer has an important competitive edge if you are offering less than full price or if you are in a situation where there is more than one offer on the property.

Real Estate Tip:Hard Sell

Many real estate listings come from individuals who thought they had sold their homes. Sellers who try to sell their own home learn the hard way that selling a home is not easy. Keeping it sold and getting to the closing table is even more difficult. What are the pitfalls involved in selling your own home?

Face-to-face negotiations can be difficult, even when the buyer really wants the house. Then there is the paperwork. Standard contract forms rarely cover all of the local requirements regarding disclosure laws. Such contracts may provide loopholes which could allow a buyer with cold feet to back out at the last minute.

When you have finally come to an agreement, how can you be sure that your buyers will engage competent professionals to handle their loan and complete the closing? What if structural problems are discovered or property boundary problems are revealed? The experience and expertise of a professional real estate agent is your greatest asset in concluding a successful transaction.

Delaware Today Bridal Show

The Delaware Today Bridal Show is coming, ladies.  Make your plans and get your tickets!

More info is here.

How Can My Agent Help Me During a Short Sale?

If you wish to short sell your home, your agent is your best asset. As soon as you fall behind on mortgage payments and the threat of foreclosure sets in, talk to a compitent real estate agent with a track record of success about getting help with a short sale. Before hiring any agent, ask about the process and their experience in closing similar transactions.  If you are not impressed with what is described, move on until you find the right agent. 

When applying for a short sale, your lender will require some documentation from you proving your financial hardship and your inability to pay your mortgage. (The documentation varies by lender.)

After you gather this information, there will be a considerable amount of of short sale follow-up and paperwork. This is where your agent comes in. Your agent will be an asset by managing the file through the different departments within the bank. Once you turn the sale over to them, they can shoulder the work for you in obtaining an offer and negotiating on your behalf. 

Marketed Exclusively by Erik Hoferer & Associates
Direct: 302 234-1111 or 610-268-5727

Now Selling Biggs Farm

Ryan Homes has announced the new community of Biggs Farm

Pardon the pun, but this is a BIG deal.  The only opportunity to own an estate home on a ¾ acre home site in the Appoquinimink School District.  Biggs Farm consists of only 20 home sites many of which back to trees or are on a cul-de-sac. All floor plans in this small community include side entry, two car garages and feature Energy Star 3.0 Certification.

With seven models to choose from, and entry level pricing well under $300,000, this project represents a outstanding value in today's market place.  Additionally, the location, which is just south of the Rt. 896 C&D Canal Bridge, ensures that demand for these homes will be very high.

This community will sell out in weeks.  If you, or someone you know has interest, call Erik for more information. 


Marketed Exclusively by Erik Hoferer & Associates
Direct:  302 234-1111 or 610-268-5727

Bike for Mike's Kids

Jim Seuffert is raising money for Wilmington's youth with a cross-country bike ride.

I just came across this and had to share it.  This is impacts many of the children right here in Wilmington, and it is happening right now.  Make a donation if you can.  I guarantee you will feel great for the rest of the day if you do!

Jim’s BIKE FOR MIKE’S KIDS honors the late Mike Clark by aiming to raise the final $70,000 needed to create the Mike Clark Skills Center. This center will serve over 230 children at the Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington. The vision is to create a space conducive to learning that will help bridge the academic, social, and technological gap that the kids currently face.

On September 14, Jim Seuffert embarked on a bike journey across the United States, from the West coast to the East coast. He will cover 3,100 miles in forty-one days.  You can track his progress through the daily blog posts here. 

Make a difference in a local child's life today and donate here.  Skip Starbucks and do something that will make you feel really great instead.  You will be glad you did!