Yesterday, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty announced that it was joining forces with Hanover Realty. The merger joins Wilmington’s largest and top-selling real estate company with the city’s oldest real estate firm. Hanover Realty is owned by Wilmington mayor Bill Saffo and his wife Renee. “Renee and I are excited about joining forces with Wilmington’s proven market leader,” Saffo said in a press release. The merger was announced yesterday morning at a special event at the Holiday Inn... read more

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey Real estate pros offer their best, most affordable staging ideas for home exteriors. Say 'Welcome Home' "There's nothing more pleasing than a front step or porch with bright and cheerful planters filled with plants and flowers. It says 'welcome to your new home!'" -Carol Anderson, abr®, green, Coastline Realty, Cape May, N.J. Create a Curb Appeal Checklist "A top item on the staging list should be curb appeal items (you can't get people in if they don't like the drive-by): Trim shrubs,... read more

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey Real estate pros offer their best, most affordable staging ideas for home exteriors. Create a DVD of the Home "Have the sellers make a short DVD of fun times that they had in the home and surrounding area. Make the DVD run on a loop on the TV and use it to show potential buyers the area, neighborhood amenities, proximity to parks museums, etc. It is easy and cost effective." -Scott Holland, Top100AZhomes.com, Phoenix Frame a Local Scene "Frame pictures from inexpensive calendars and plac... read more

By Barbara Ballinger In today's market, sellers have to work harder to persuade buyers that their property is worth the bite. Landscape designer Michael Glassman has cooked up a recipe for guaranteed curb appeal. 1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, a landscape should provide a new display of colors, textures, and fragrances. "It's best to use one or two and repeat them," Glassman says. Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer, and fall as a backdrop; in front, a contrasting punch... read more

By Kelly Quigley The contract is a critical step in any remodeling project; it holds the job together and ensures that all parties agree to the same vision and scope. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry spells out the following key elements that every remodeling contract should have: 1. The contractor's name, address, phone number, and license number. 2. Details on what the contractor will and will not do. 3. A list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes information about the s... read more