Fall is nearly here! But before the leaves begin to drop from the trees and we finally turn down the AC, there are a few tasks to tackle around your Delaware and Pennsylvania homes. From cleaning the gutters to turning off the water to the garden hose, I've compiled a list of fall home maintenance tasks to add to your to-do list.
Clean out the gutters
To make room for the leaves and debris that will fall into your DE or PA yard this fall, it's important to clean out your gutters now. While you're on the roof, you can also check for any damaged shingles that may have occurred over the summer and take the necessary steps to repair them.
Turn off outdoor water
You probably have your garden hose hooked up and have used it all summer, but you'll want to turn off that outdoor water supply as the weather begins to get cooler. Of course we can have summer-like temperatures well into October here in Delaware and Pennsylvania, so just keep an eye on the dropping temps to determine when to dik ...

In past blog posts, I've shared answers to common Delaware and Pennsylvania homeowner questions like whether or not you should sell your home or simply renovate, as well as trends to avoid when looking for buyers. This week, I'm elaborating for those homeowners in DE and PA who choose to list their property and take advantage of the numerous buyers in the market.
But does everything need to be fixed before you can officially place that For Sale sign in the yard? Read on for four things that you can pass on this year:
Half updates
Unless you plan to renovate your entire kitchen or bathroom, you don't need to bother making partial updates. For instance, don't bother placing an expensive new stone like a marble or granite on top of your old cabinets. Making these half updates tends to only accentuate what still needs fixing.
Cosmetic repairs
If your Delaware or Pennsylvania home has good bones, the foundation is solid, the roof doesn't need replaced right off the bat, and the runningk ...

Becoming a homeowner in Delaware and Pennsylvania is exciting, but the thought of paying on your mortgage for the next 30 years may be anything but that. Not to mention, there are many other expenses associated with your home purchase— the inspection, the down payment, the closing costs.
Delaware and Pennsylvania homeowners can easily feel overwhelmed, but as your local real estate experts, the Kat Geralis Home Team is happy to provide a few ways to keep those expenses down and pay off your mortgage early!
Make an extra payment
One of the simplest ways to start paying down your mortgage is to make one extra payment each month. Most lenders today do not have pre-payment penalties and just by making one full additional payment during the year could take about four years off of your loan.
Add onto your payment
If you cannot swing making a complete extra payment during the year, you can begin to add extra to your mortgage payment each month. Even adding as little as $100 onto yok ...

If you are a current Delaware or Pennsylvania homeowner or renter, now may be the time to consider if your living space is suitable for both your immediate and future needs. Given the high number of buyers in today’s market and rapidly rising home prices, local buyers should act sooner rather than later when it comes to selling your Delaware or Pennsylvania home and moving on to make a purchase.
As your local real estate experts, the Kat Geralis Home Team understands the importance of moving up (or down!) if it means your home will be better suited to your needs. How can you tell which is right for you this summer? We’re including a few of our best tips for you below!
If you’re not sure if you need to upsize or downsize your Delaware or Pennsylvania home, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Is there enough space for you?
If you have a growing family, you may have started to notice that your kids are outgrowing their bedrooms, or that the kitchen or dining spak ...

With the weather warming up, it seems obvious that buyers would be looking more closely at outdoor spaces when shopping for homes in Delaware and Pennsylvania. That much is true— however, they may be more specific when it comes to what they want.
Buyers in Delaware and Pennsylvania have a wish list and as the spring market heats up, their outdoor wants will become more important. Below are a few outdoor trends to avoid when selling your DE or PA home this season:
Geometric or straight layouts
It used to be a popular trend in outdoor design to have crisp, clean, straight or geometric borders— planting your flowers in neat lines. But those days are gone and buyers today are looking for more freeform, natural gardens and yards.
Standard trees
Be sure to choose your landscaping wisely, including your trees! Don't opt for the same old plants that everyone has; buyers will notice. Avoid planting trees with leaves and needles that clutter your yard and make a point not to plak ...