Price Changes at Goldsborourgh Farm...

Ryan increases their value proposition yet again!

In an effort to stay at the forefront of what is happening in today's real estate market, Ryan homes as reduced the prices of their offerings at the community of Goldsborough Farm. With great activity and a strong sales record, this community now must command the attention of buyer's in the Middletown and Townsend area.

Goldsborough Farm represents the best value for a single family Estate Home located within the Appopquinimink School District. Stop by today to check it out. 

Call 302 234-1111 for more information.

Marketed exclusively by Erik Hoferer & Associates
Affiliated with Long and Foster Real Estate

Ryan's Enclave at Odessa National

One of the best values in New Castle County...

Ryan Homes is about to announce that they have 48 new building lots available in this fine community, representing the best priced Estate Homes in the Appoquinimink School District.  Lots coming available are larger than comparable communities at this price point, with different locations offering woods, open space, and cul-de-sacs. 

With an entry level price point of $259,900, Ryan is offering five different models at Enclave, most allowing buyers to stay under the $300,000 mark when complete and ready to go.  As an added incentive, Ryan will be offering a free finished basement on all new contracts. 

Enclave at Odessa National is located just off Route 13, south of Odessa.  It is in close proximity to the Odessa National Golf Course, but there is not a golf course fee or forced membership to the club, so it should appeal to everyone regardless of whether or not golf is part of your lifestyle. 

Only some of the fine amenities include:

• Up to 4 bedrooms and up to 4 ½ bathrooms
• 2-car garage
• Luxurious single-family homes featuring 3 stories, spacious floor plans and today’s most sought-after features
• Custom options include a morning room, finished basement, luxury owner’s bathroom, bonus room, brick, partial stone or stucco front, hardwood and ceramic floors, gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, fireplace and more
• Appoquinimink School District
• Minutes from Route 1 and 13 with easy access to Wilmington, Philadelphia and the Delaware Beaches
• Energy Star Qualified

For more information, please call Erik Hoferer & Associates directly at 302 234-1111 and we will be very happy to help you with your real estate decisions. 

Marketed exclusively by Erik Hoferer & Associates
Affiliated with Long and Foster Real Estate

Fifth Annual Food Fight at The Riverfront...

March of Dimes Annual The Farmer & The Chef 2012

It's the homegrown cook-off that you get to judge!

Local farmers and area chefs whip up the tastiest competition of the year.

The premise is simple, pair local farmers with local chefs. While the event is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, we also hope to help create sustainable relationships between farmers and chefs while reinforcing the movement of healthy eating.

Attendees will also be able to cast their vote for their favorite dish. Included in the evening's festivities are a silent auction and basket auction.

The event takes place on Thursday, September 20th, at The Chase Center on the Riverfront.  Tickets are available online for $40 here. 

NEW this year - to help celebrate our 5th anniversary we are having a Winner's Challenge featuring past winners of the People's Choice award. This Challenge will be judged by our celebrity panel. This promises to be exciting!

Can you trust your home inspector...?

Suspicions arise over inability to prove ASHI membership
                              
By Barry Stone

Inman News®

DEAR BARRY: Before I bought my home, I hired a professional home inspector, but he did not do a very thorough job. This week I asked him to show proof that he is in good standing as a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). But he has refused to provide any documentation. Do I have any recourse against this inspector? --Andrew

DEAR ANDREW: If the home inspector claims to be a member of ASHI, you can verify this by visiting the association's website at www.ashi.com. Click on "Find an Inspector" and type in his name. He either is or is not a member. However, home inspector associations such as ASHI do very little in the way of policing the professionalism of members. Unless someone fails to pay dues or does not participate in ongoing education, it is unlikely that the membership status would be adversely affected.

The main issue is whether your inspector performed a thorough inspection. If there were defects that he did not report, he should respond to your concerns. If he is dodging you, that is a more serious issue than whether he is a member of an association. If the inspection was substandard, the inspector should respond to your concerns by reinspecting the issues at hand. If he is unwilling to stand behind his work, you probably should have another inspection by someone who is truly qualified. A second inspection report can be used to support a case against the first inspector.

Real Estate Tip:Qualifying Guidelines

It may be difficult to qualify for a home mortgage loan. As a buyer, you may find the perfect home, but finding the perfect financing might become elusive. After you complete the application process, your lender may turn you down, which is an upsetting development for any prospective homebuyer. What can be done to remedy such a setback?

The answer depends on why you were turned down. If your income is too low to satisfy one mortgage company, there might be another company with more liberal qualifying guidelines. If you have had credit problems, some lenders may be more willing than others to help you clear them up in a manner that satisfies their underwriters. If your loan runs into problems, sit down with the loan officer and your real estate agent to investigate the possibility of using a different lender. The first company may be able to "assign" the package to a competitor, enabling you to use your same credit report and appraisal. You will need the cooperation of your sellers, too.

While loan rejections are disappointing, they can be resolved.

The Wilmington Grand Prix is this weekend!

Date	May 18, 2012 to May 20, 2012
Description	Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC), the City of Wilmington and their many partners once again bring professional cycling to the streets of Downtown Wilmington with the Wilmington Grand Prix. In six years, the event has grown from a regional bicycle race to one of the premier cycling events in the country. The 2012 Grand Prix is set for May 18-20 with three days of festivities. The action opens on Friday, May 18, with the return of the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park, a course made famous by the Tour DuPont. The action continues on Saturday with a series of men’s and women’s pro-am criterium races along a one-mile course in Downtown Wilmington. Sunday will feature the Governor’s Ride, a 15-mile cycle tour of Brandywine Valley cultural attractions. Governor Jack Markell will lead a recreational bike ride through attractions such as the Delaware Art Museum, Hagley Museum, Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, Delaware Museum of Natural History and Rockford Park. The ride will finish with a party in the sculpture garden at the Delaware Art Museum. New this year is the Wilmington Grand Prix Gran Fondo, a 100-kilometer course traversing 11 cultural attractions featuring two timed climbs and a hilly terrain. The course will be challenging and fun with unprecedented access to ride through Dupont estates and attractions. Saturday’s activities begin at noon with the 3nd annual Parade to Fight Hunger, a parade featuring marching bands, vintage bicycles, drill teams and more than 40 organizations that actively support the Food Bank of Delaware. The racing action begins at approximately 11:30 a.m., with men’s and women’s racing in a variety of professional and amateur categories. A series of youth races will also be held. In addition to the racing action, the Grand Prix Street Festival returns, offering free family entertainment from the 5th Street to Rodney Square. Activities include live music, sidewalk sales, course-side cafes and variety of family games and activities including moon bounces, rock climbing, bungee jumping, fitness challenges, bike expos and more.
Location	Wilmington, DE
Additional Information	Website: www.wilmgrandprix.com

Real Estate Tip:Selling Selling Sold

Although your real estate agent is responsible for marketing your property, it requires a joint effort to get your home sold.

How can you empower your agent? It is very important that you feel absolutely confident in your agent's ability to produce results--no matter what the market is like in your area! This may sound like stating the obvious, but it is important to let your real estate agent know you trust them to get the job done. Support that trust by putting a realistic price tag on the property and keeping it in prime showing condition. Work out showing agreements that will make it easy for agents to preview or show your home. Meet periodically to discuss any feedback from buyers who have seen your home to determine how you can improve its appeal.

Don't hesitate to share any ideas you may have about marketing your home. I will try anything that works, and have received some very good suggestions from clients.