Kathy Sperl-Bell, ABR, CRS, SRES

Tonight was the first time since Inauguration Day back in January that the JACK PACK met with Delaware's new Governor Jack Markell. Like President Obama, Governor Markell inherited quite a challenge from his predecessor. Unlike the President, the State of Delaware is mandated to "balance the budget" and Delaware was $750,000 or so short a few weeks ago.

All of us in the JACK PACK are grateful that Jack Markell is up to the task and running the state during this challenging time.

I am not generally one to volunteer and work for politicians whether local or national, but I know Jack Markell. Jack comes from a successful small business background and is willing to make the hard decisions facing him today.

That's Governor Jack Markell in the white shirt talking with the Jack Pack.

My husband Bill is standing against the wall under the sconce!

The Sixth Annual Summer Bash will take place this year on the Sixth of June 2009. Now that Jack Markell is Governor, the Summer Bash will benefit the Food Bank of Delaware. Last year over 800 tickets were sold; this year we anticipate over 1000 tickets will sell to support the Food Bank of Delaware and to celebrate with our Governor.

For more information or to reserve your tickets, please visit the 2009 Annual Summer Bash web site.

Last week I was getting ready for a buyer client coming to Coastal Delaware to search for a beach house. Not just any beach house; they are looking for one that also has a rental unit on the property. It could be attached or over the garage. It could be an efficiency or a two bedroom. The general idea is to find a property that they can use as a getaway and generate some income during the peak vacation season.

Lots of people want to do this, but this couple has a realistic budget, is well qualified, and really can make this kind of purchase when we find the right property. I went to the MLS and set up the search criteria, but then I discovered that

GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT

For those of you like me who spent (30 years) in the technology business, we know what that term means. For the rest of you, it means PUT IN THE DETAILS SO WE CAN FIND YOUR LISTING!

If your listing has an extra unit that is a legal rental unit, PLEASE PUT THAT IN YOUR LISTING!

If your listing is a FIXER-UPPER, PLEASE MAKE A NOTE!

Even in Coastal Delaware, with a population smaller than most towns or cities around the country, having to look at each and every listing one by one to find those that meet my clients' criteria may cost you a sale!

It's one thing to hear how difficult it is to obtain a mortgage on the news; it's another to experience the reality with our buyers these days.

I have been working with a couple that truly has perfect credit. Based on their credit report and income, my Mortgage Professional could qualify them for over $1 Million! BUT, they cannot put 20% down. They are moving from an area where home prices have remained relatively stable and that's both good and bad. It's good because homes are still selling, but it's bad because they will not have much cash to cover a deposit and closing costs. The new job that is causing the relocation is going to pay extremely well and they want a home that reflects their new position.

THERE IS NO PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE AVAILABLE!

So, what did we do? We had to stay in a price range that would require very little down and find a home that could qualify for the maximum FHA loan for this area - $375,000! And, it had to be in a convenient location for both the children's new school and the husband's new job. Did we find the perfect home? NO, but we did find a good home in a good neighborhood in the right location for the whole family. It's not the dream home that they will want to find or build in a few years, but it's the best solution in a Buyer's Market and they will do well when they are ready to trade up. They are getting a very good deal.

I think that's the key to today's market. We are at the bottom and those who buy now will do very well over the next 5 - 10 years.

Last week I did something I have never done before -

I attended the Legislative Action Day sponsored by our Delaware Association of Realtors PAC and I'm glad I did. It actually made me feel much better about our state government because here is what I learned -

Many of our State Representatives are small business owners and they do get it!

That's not necessarily true at the federal level where you find career politicians. If you have never participated in your state's efforts to engage your local politicians, I recommend you give it a try. We do have influence and now more than ever we need to use it.

After a full day attending meetings and sitting in on various committees, many of the State Representatives attended a reception at our Delaware Association of Realtors offices where we had a chance to talk more casually. Here I am with Mike Ramone, who represents a district in Wilmington, Delaware, and owns a Fitness Center and Florist Shop. A few minutes later they were laughing when I told them about the time I flew off the back of a treadmill at his Fitness Center, but that's another story!

On a recent walk through town with my husband, I stopped for a chat with John Milton. In 2008, his statue was placed on this comfortable bench in the heart of our newest park.

As our Mayor commented on the town's web site, "When traveling to Milton please stop by and visit our new Town Hall, one that captures the historic atmosphere of the Town and at the same time provides a professional home for conducting our daily business. Stroll along Governor's Walk, which will take you along the Broadkill River, the very river that once thrived with sea captains and shipwrights. Enjoy our water ways, fishing piers, and parks, especially the new Mill Park located along Mulberry Street. A local landscape architect has created this once barren land into a work of art that will be a place for people to gather and enjoy long into the future; a site soon to be home for our namesake "John Milton", forever cast into a life-size bronze statue honoring this famous poet and the paradise lost for those that never discover our great town."

Mill Park, and John Milton, overlook Wagamon's Pond, one of the most popular ponds for fisherman, stocked by U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

Just one of the picturesque scenes in the town of Milton, Delaware, a great place to live.