Why Ocean View, DE Residents May Delay Move to “Telosa”

It’s probably fair to say that when a typical Ocean View, DE resident hears some of the more strikingly novel details about what urban life will be like in the future, he or she is likely to take them with a grain or two of salt. One example that recently hit the CNN airwaves was a project for “Telosa”—a new kind of city in America.  It’s probably fair to say that when a typical Ocean View, DE resident hears some of the more strikingly novel details about what urban life will be like in the future, he or she is likely to take them with a grain or two of salt. One example that recently hit the CNN airwaves was a project for “Telosa”—a new kind of city in America.  The final vision is for a 5,000,000-resident city that would not only be completely eco-friendly and self-energized but one designed with a self-sustaining, drought-resistant water system (even if it winds up being built in the desert). Although its planners hope for the first phase to welcome 50,000 residents by 2030, the tentativeness of the missing geographical detail points out the speculative status of Telosa: its promoters are still scouting for locations. Candidate states are Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and “the Appalachian region.”This might cast doubt on the reality content of the project were it not for the world-class design team that is laying out Telosa’s structural details. The architect—Bjarke Ingels—lends serious credibility to the project. The youthful Danish architect heads BIG—the 400-employee firm that is co-designing Google’s California and London headquarters. BIG has been commissioned to design another (much smaller) 2,000-resident city for Toyota in the foothills of Mount Fuji. BIG is dedicated to architecture that combines utility with enjoyment—“practicality with fun.” To date, that philosophy has been most famously demonstrated in Europe, where the BIG-designed power plant in Copenhagen was constructed with a ski slope on top.Telosa is the brainchild of Jet.com founder and former Walmart executive Marc Lore, a billionaire. He hopes to endow his city with a “transparent framework” which, among other novel characteristics, grants its residents with shared ownership: a “new model for society.” In addition to needing a location, Lore says the city will ultimately need $400 billion in funding. The cash will come from various sources, including “private investors, philanthropists, federal and state grants, and economic development subsidies.” How that will gel with the city’s shared ownership is yet to be determined.Ocean View, DE residents won’t be faulted if they postpone ordering up a moving van, at least for a while. Although Lore’s promise of “the most open, most fair and most inclusive city in the world” may sound like a worthy goal, its architect’s inclusion of “enjoyment” in his governing philosophy is just as appealing. Still, the most “fun” that’s actually been realized to date is still the Danish architect’s power plant with the ski slope on top. Moreover, its waste-heat tower is designed to emit smoke rings “to remind the public…” (it’s not clear of what, exactly—but the idea sure does sound fun).Today’s down-to-earth real estate matters are where I come it. For help with those, call! Call/Text me Russell Stucki at (302) 228-7871, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit more listings at www.beachrealestatemarket.com.
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For Ocean View, DE Homebuyers, the Two Essential Preparatory Steps

 The latest national polling of real estate professionals yields a convincing picture of a market that's stubbornly remaining in the sellers' corner. If so, this August's home hunters shouldn't be surprised to find competition for the Ocean View, DE homes for sale—and reason to take the two most often-cited preparatory steps for maximizing chances of landing a property they've decided on.

The National Association of Realtors®' latest member survey reaffirms the continuation of buyer competition, in part due to the limited number of available listings. That may be good news for sellers: nationally, homes typically sold in 17 days—a full week faster than last year's average of 24 days. Buyers, on the other hand, often faced stiff buyer competition for the most appealing offerings. On average, homes that sold received more than four offers.

Experienced buyers could easily see the wisdom of taking the two most universally agreed-upon preparatory steps:

Step 1: Hire an agent. This first action demonstrates to Ocean View, DE sellers that they are now dealing with a buyer who is serious and professional. Sellers who are evaluating competing offers know that when a licensed Ocean View, DE Realtor submits their client's offer, it will always be legally correct and constructed in a manner designed to make the response easy and unambiguous. Offers made by non-professionals often create technical and legal ambiguities that veteran sellers avoid. On top of everything, hiring a licensed agent costs nothing since it's the sellers who pay the buyer's agent commission after the transaction is finalized.   

Step 2: Secure a lender's pre-approval. The trust established by being represented by a licensed Ocean View, DE Realtor is sealed when a lender's pre-approval letter is part of the submission. More than simply demonstrating your solid financial backing, it shows that your offer represents the work of a professional team—a team you have assembled that takes the guesswork out of the seller's decision. If competitive offers don't measure up, the seller's choice is bound to be straightforward.   

This August's market may put sellers in the driver's seat by providing an opportunity to choose between offers, but it can also be a buyer's opportunity to get a headstart right out of the gate. Call me to discuss your ideas and how to get started! Call/Text me Russell Stucki at (302) 228-7871, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit more listings at www.beachrealestatemarket.com.

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Is Ocean View, DE Inflation Really 5%? Yes (and No)

 The latest Consumer Price Index registered a 12-month rise of just 5.0%. For many Ocean View, DE homeowners, that percentage is hard to square with the prices that keep ringing up at local gas stations. Five percent inflation doesn’t seem to match what’s been happening to a dollar’s purchasing power.

But actually, the CPI number isn’t deliberately deceptive.

True, Ocean View, DE residents have experienced a leap in fuel prices—and all of a sudden, many have found themselves double-checking their grocery store register receipts. Since the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s own breakdown of price inflation shows Gasoline at a teeth-grinding 56.2%, family drivers whose Memorial Day and/or Independence Day weekend outings involved multiple fill-ups were especially skeptical. Ditto if their holiday weekends involved the acquisition of Sporting Goods, which posted a 9% increase. If the weekend included an urban getaway, the Public Transportation increase (+15%) could even have prompted an unanticipated ATM visit.  

 The way that the “all-in” inflation number is calculated is dictated by what the Bureau’s CPI is intended to measure. The Index measures “consumption items”—the things a family consumes (that is, that it uses up). So how do housing increases weigh in? That’s a little tricky (it’s the Shelter component).

When a consumer buys a house, the amount spent doesn’t get ‘used up’ by living in it. In fact, as a capital good, the purchase amount stands a good chance of growing in value. So the investment portion of owned housing can’t be part of the CPI. To include the nearly 24% rise in last year’s existing home sale prices would wildly distort the CPI, rendering it nearly valueless.

But for renters, since the cash spent on their rent payment IS consumed entirely—their Shelter component is a significant part of the CPI—and May’s year-over-year figure registered a rise of 2.2%. For homeowners, an estimate of the amount their owned house might rent for (its rental equivalence) is included in their Shelter component. 

When you dig down into what makes up the CPI, you realize why the 5.0% number that’s all over the news sometimes doesn’t jibe with what it feels like. But perhaps more importantly, the details also indirectly reveal the outsized financial advantage that goes with owning a home. It’s my job to help clients complete a sale or purchase that maximizes that!   Call/Text me Russell Stucki at (302) 228-7871, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit more listings at www.beachrealestatemarket.com.

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Ocean View, DE Dog Connection has Real Estate Consequences

Ocean View, DE dog lovers (some think of them as ‘owners’—but, depending on how protective the breed, it’s not entirely clear who owns whom) would likely place Ocean View, DE high on rover.com’s 2021 list of the most dog-friendly locales. For the record, Denver was rated #1, with Orlando and Anaheim close behind.

The subject of real estate and canines came up frequently on the weekend telecasts of dog showdom’s annual spectacular—the 145th annual Westminster Dog Show. ‘Wasabi’ the Pekingese’s victory was televised from a humongous tent in Tarrytown, NY, instead of its traditional Madison Square Garden setting. The venue change was prompted by the pandemic.

According to a Harris Poll, Westminster’s relocation was echoed by many a canine’s family, which has chosen to pick up stakes. The pollsters report that more than 1 in 10 Americans say they’ve moved in the past year in what Zillow calls “the Great Reshuffling.” Rover.com makes the case that many pet parents chose destinations that will make their pets happy. Denver certainly fits the bill with its “plethora of parks, dog-friendly restaurants, and breweries.” Although they point to the city’s “specialty dog bakery” as the clincher, they undercount the actual achievement: Denver boasts three of them: Three Dog Bakery, Biscotti Hound Dog Bakery, and Two Pals and a Pup (which offers ‘pupcakes,’ ‘tummy yummy birthday bones,’ etc.).

Ocean View, DE may not be able to match Denver in the proliferation of doggy bakeshops, but local sellers whose properties boast features like invisible fences, pet doors, and proximity to parks are acknowledging one of the era’s noticeable trends: a growing appreciation for man’s best friend. As one March real estate survey reported, it’s a trend with measurable consequences. Last year, homes sold five days faster than expected “when the listing mentioned a fenced yard.”

Pet-friendly features are definitely worth noting, but lest the tail wags the dog, they are only one of many consequential factors. When it’s time to sell your own Ocean View, DE property, partnering with a knowledgeable Ocean View, DE Realtor® should come first. Call me anytime! Call/Text me Russell Stucki at (302) 228-7871, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit more listings at www.beachrealestatemarket.com.

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