Delaware

For those 77,000 members of the Delaware Electric Cooperative, you should be receiving a credit refund. Since you are owners of the co-op, you share in the margins, otherwise known as profits. The co-op strives to keep rates as low as possible, so when there are profits, they go back to the consumer. This year, there is $1.5 million in margins that will be credited to the owners- you!

If you are a current member and have a credit of $100 or more, then you will receive a check. If your credit is under $100, the amount will be credited to your December bill. Do you know of any other utility that gives back to their customers?

According to the Oregon Business Report, and CareerBuilder.com, as many as 45% of employers search the web for prospective employees. This search is not for resumes, but for social media content about those prospective employees. As REALTORS, we enjoy the booming new social media dot com platforms to network with colleagues and make those new connections with potential employers. Yes, I said employers- your clients. Have you ever considered that your next client; your next employer, may be scrubbing the web right now?

Imagine your client researching you and finding you on Facebook, Twitter, My Space or other sites, and discovering those old college or last January's New Years Eve party photos? You know the ones I mean. The half drunk, half naked, almost erotic photos some feel compelled to share. Or perhaps they read the blurb you wrote yesterday when you were frustrated with the government. Or you had a momentary laspe in judgment and had an outburst of anti-religious, anti-gay, or some other form of personal venting. What if they read a blog you wrote where you use disparaging language towards another REALTOR, your former employer, or maybe your last client? How about the client that reads too many misspelled words, poor editing, or improper punctuation? What might that say about your attention to detail and how you might handle their deal?

Here's something else to consider. While you may be the All-American REALTOR, what about those friends you have on your social lists? What happens when your client hits you up to be a friend, and then they read all of your other friend's comments? Might those clients begin to wonder why you would be friends with a druggie, a self-professed spouse beater, an exhibitionist, or maybe just an all-around jerk? And when they watch to see the shear amount of time you spend on games, might they wonder when you could possibly have time for them?

So, what can you do? If you insist on dabbling on social sites wherein you are compelled to publish those old photos, or insist on giving the world a tongue lashing, maybe you could consider creating an alter ego profile that you do not link to your professional profile. There is nothing wrong with using social sites, but as with anything, uncontrolled behavior may ultimately haunt you. And the sad part is, you may not even know you just lost the biggest deal of your professional career.

An interesting piece of history that is still alive and active is the Wilmington and Western Railroad in southwest Wilmington, DE. It dates back to the 1860s when it was chartered to move supplies back and forth between the mills on the Red Clay Creek to the Port of Wilmington. It ran all the way from Landenberg, PA to the riverfront. Today it is still running and is a wonderful attraction for the whole family. It runs from the Greenbank Station at Prices Corner out to Mt. Cuba in Greenville where it stops long enough that you can have a picnic. There's a beautiful view of the Red Clay Creek and a park like area where you can relax at the Mt. Cuba stop.

Some of the typical events they offer are the Mt. Cuba Express as mentioned above, the Hockessin Express where the train stops in Hockessin, DE for a half hour layover. The Hockessin Express is quite a bit longer than the Mt. Cuba Express. They also offer a Mother's Day Brunch, Hayride Express, Wild West Robbery, Back Burner Dinner Train and MANY more special events! It's a gorgeous ride especially in the fall of the year. You can even charter the train for Birthday Parties, Weddings or whatever YOUR special event may be! The Wilmington and Western Railroad cabooses are great for kids birthday parties and they are even available during the off season. The station also has it's own museum. The Wilmington and Western Railroad has a lot to offer and they are always looking for volunteers. If you like trains and history it's perfect thing to do!

The Wilmington and Western Railroad experience is really like you are in a different era of the 19th Century and the ride is so unique especially from the viewpoint of the train. Enjoy the views of the historic Wooddale Covered Bridge, the beautiful Red Clay Creek, Brandywine Springs Park and lots more as you travel through the beautiful and scenic Delaware countryside. Take your family or just yourself and enjoy a relaxing and beautiful trip back in time on the Wilmington and Western Railroad.

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How often do we wonder about the people that tirelessly give of themselves to give back to the community? Let me tell you about one such angel amongst us that goes about his business in a quiet and humble way in order to help feed the homebound and hungry in Millsboro Delaware. The gentleman's name is Nick Varatto. Nick is a full-time REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty at the Beach in Lewes, Delaware.

As busy as his life may be as a REALTOR, every Thursday morning without fail; rain or shine, Nick can be found at the church hall on Morris St., in Millsboro Delaware preparing the noon meal for about 80 area residents. He scuttles about the kitchen like a mother hen tending to her brood. He pours over his receipes and makes sure every morsel is prepared to perfection and with the same care and attention to detail found in the best bestros of America. His diligence in his work can only be matched by the finest chefs and can only be appreciated by the most in need to which he attends. Nick is the Leonard Berstein of the kitchen as his tenacity and uncany ability to orchestrate the entire process can only be matched by orchestral masters.

Nick gets his food from donations from area residents and what is not donated, he purchases himself. He never turns anyone away and constantly seeks out new families in need of a helping hand. He accepts food and money donations from those that can, and a smile from the rest.

Nick, you are a great guy and we are so very blessed to have you in the community! If you would like to donate to the soup kitchen, stop by the Methodist Church hall any Thursday morning at 330 East Church St. on the corner of E. Church St., and S. Morris St., in beautiful downtown Millsboro Delaware.

For Buyers who may be on the fence as to buying now or waiting until next year, here is a simple calculation that can help make your decision easier. Let's say that your buyers are waiting for the prices of homes to drop another 5%. Over the same time frame interest rates increase by 1%. A simple example of why to buy now is as follows

• Purchase price today 200,000 at 5% interest gives a principal and interest payment of $1073.

• Waiting until the price drops 5% but the interest rate is 6% gives a principal and interest payment of $1139.

$66 per month may not seem like alot but it becomes almost $8000 after 10 years and $8000 is what every first time home buyer is trying to get. It is just a simple math problem.