Selling a home can be an exciting yet daunting task, especially when it comes to determining its market value. Fortunately, Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate has partnered with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Percy, the renowned real estate technology company, to address the two most important questions every potential seller has: What is my home worth? And do you have buyers for it?
Try it now! Click the image to get started on a successful home selling journey today!
Get a Feel for the Market
By analyzing nearby sales, buyer behavior, and your home’s unique characteristics, our home valuation tool provides three valuations along with insight into the number of buyers actively searching for a property just like yours! Whether you’re considering selling or simply curious about your home’s value, this user-friendly online tool presents real-time buyer activity heat maps and profiles of potential buyers that make the data come alive. With just a few clicks, you can gain a clearer understanding of the value your property holds in today’s competitive market.
Compare three Home ValuationsView nearby Buyer Activity
Sell with Confidence
Our new online home valuation tool acts as a powerful stepping stone towards a successful home selling journey. Armed with comprehensive insights, you can confidently navigate the real estate market, set an optimal listing price, and make informed decisions throughout the selling process.
As a renowned real estate agency with a long-standing history of excellence, Patterson-Schwartz brings in-depth local knowledge and industry experience to the table. Our team of local experts is readily available to provide personalized guidance and expert advice when you’re ready to take that step.
Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage and offers a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961, and invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.
Meet Jason Giles, Executive Vice-President of Brokerage Operations at Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate. This year officially marks his 27th year with PSA, although he has been part of the organization much longer. We sat down with Jason to learn a little more about him, his early exposure to real estate, and what Patterson-Schwartz means to him.
How have your years at PSA impacted you?
I have been with Patterson-Schwartz for 27 years and have been blessed to have had numerous mentors throughout my career, including one of our founders, Charlie Schwartz Sr., also known as “The Bear.” I would like to think that I have taken a little piece of each mentor and created my own sense of style while having the foundation and integrity of all of the wonderful people that I have worked with during this 27-year journey.
How did you grow with the company?
My journey began in the early 80s at 913 Delaware Ave in the sign room. My father, Jack, who was the managing broker, would buy my lunch and let me sit in on meetings and talk to agents like Fred Connell, Elmond Stausbach, Jane Garnett, and Ruthie Tingle. I would wander the office and cross paths with the heavy-hitters of the industry like Bill Patterson, a young Charlie Schwartz, and Dick Christopher. This could only happen once my cleaning and organizing of the sign room was thoroughly complete. Looking back, this is where my father’s real estate mentoring of me truly began.
In 1995, I was hired as one of the first employees of the Patterson-Schwartz Appointment Center. I set appointments for agents and brushed up with numerous agents in the industry and I began to take aim at obtaining my license. Yes, this was my intended path all along. PSA was more than just a company to me from the very beginning.
Listing and selling real estate in the Limestone office came natural to me, especially under the tutelage of Gerry Dougherty and his son, Neil, who have truly been like family to me. Life-long relationships with the Bachmans, Iliffs, Felicettis, Moffetts, and, of course, Sal Sedita and a plethora of families and individuals only reinforced why I was here and part of this real estate family.
In the year 2000, I became a broker at the age of 28. Thanks to Joe Pluscht, I began training and educating agents in our Hockessin office and I later became his assistant manager. Little did I know I would work arm-and-arm with a true friend and mentor for the next 22 years.
I have worked as a manager/broker at our Delaware Avenue, Greenville, Hockessin, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean View offices. I have the pleasure to work with our current leadership team that includes property management, financial services, and relocation.
What does Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate mean to you?
I firmly believe that Patterson-Schwartz is not about the offices or titles we have. It is about the people, the relationships, and the overall compassion that we have for each other and our customers.
These beliefs have been instilled in me by many people, many of which are no longer with us. My father/mentor is certainly the one I miss most. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have had him as a father and mentor. I am sure he and many others are looking down proud of what we have accomplished, but even more proud that we have followed through on what their vision was for a local real estate company.
Jason celebrated his 25yr PSA Anniversary w/his father, Jack Giles
Jason’s dog, Dude, on one of his many PSA office visits
Jason & his wife, Debbie
(from left to right) PSA’s Sal Sedita, Jason, Lori Davis, and Joe Pluscht, Jr.
Do you have a motto that you follow for your business, real estate, or in general?
The mantra I follow in my day-to-day business is, “There is no limit to what someone can do or where he or she can go when they are not driven by who gets the credit.”
What sets PSA apart as a company? How would you describe the culture?
I am a firm believer that the money one makes is a by-product of taking care of people. Care for people like family and they will not only buy or sell from you but will refer you to everyone they know. You will become family to them. I’m proud of the culture that Patterson-Schwartz fosters. I’m proud that we truly are a local brand that gives back and supports the local community through its agents and employees. It is certainly unique in today’s world. As you can see, family means the world to me both in work and at home.
Where do you find inspiration and support?
I am blessed to have a loving wife, Debbie, and two sons, Jack and Joe (19 and 17), that support me in everything I do. I am extremely fortunate to have my mother, Gail, who is the real foundation of our entire family at 87-years-old. When I look at the company I work for, the friends I work with, and the family that surrounds me, “blessed” is an understatement. Thanks to all who make Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate home for so many.
Ready to grow with us?
As you can tell, Jason believes truly caring for people like family — whether they’re a client or a co-worker — is how you build a strong community. If you’re intrigued by how you’ll be supported and cherished like family, we’d love to chat with you about a career with Patterson-Schwartz!
Meet Angela Allen, the assistant manager of the Hockessin office and team lead for The Angela Allen Group! From assisting clients across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland to patiently coaching new agents with business planning and education sessions, Angela knows the ingredients for success and applies it to everything she does. We sat down with Angela to learn a little more about her, what she does at Patterson-Schwartz, and why she loves her job.
How did you choose your career in real estate?
I have always had a love of real estate. When I was little, I would always take the paper flyer for the homes on the market in my neighborhood. I would study every fact about the home. Neighbors would see a “for sale” sign and they would call me to ask the price and details about the home — I was their go-to for real estate information! My husband is in the home building and land development side of real estate. He was the one that pushed me off the fence to get my license.
How long have you been at PSA?
I have happily been with PSA my entire career. I will be celebrating my 11th year in real estate in the fall! As a new agent, I was drawn to PSA for education as well as further career development training. The entire organization welcomed me with open arms and I felt like I was at home… at work!
What keeps you here?
The family-friendly atmosphere. Everyone is cheering for everyone else to succeed. The management and office support are second to none.
Tell us what you love about your job.
I love helping buyers find their first home or maybe their dream home. I enjoy assisting sellers close one chapter and move on to the next one. As an assistant manager, I thoroughly enjoy the interaction I have with our amazing family of agents. Watching them succeed and celebrating the big and little victories makes me love my job!
How do you like to spend a relaxing day?
My ideal relaxing day is spent on my boat on the river with my husband and son. With our phones attached to our hip, we are on call 24/7. Being on the water is my way of decompressing.
Ready to grow with us?
As you can tell, Angela believes helping and supporting others — whether they’re a client or a co-worker — is how we all succeed. If you’re intrigued by how you’ll be supported beyond your expectations, we’d love to chat with you about a career with Patterson-Schwartz!
About Us
Headquartered in the town of Hockessin, Delaware, Patterson-Schwartz has been lighting the way home for over 60 years. We are Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage with ten offices and over 550 sales associates and staff. We offer a full range of services including residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.
Contributing blogger Charlie Schwartz, II, shares industry insight and the importance of having the guidance of a true real estate professional in the July 2022 Schwartz Report.
The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee voted in June to raise the fed-funds rate* by three quarters of a point, the steepest single rate rise since 1994. Mortgage rates hovered around 3% at the beginning of the year but are now double that and likely climbing. Clearly, we are in a transitioning real estate market for the first time in more than a decade.
Expert guidance for a song?
I’ll start a bit tongue-in-cheek with the old joke about the fellow who goes into a pet store to buy a canary. He hears a beautiful song coming from one of the cages and goes over to investigate. He’s enchanted by the melody but notices after a bit that the bird with the beautiful song is missing a leg. So he calls the pet store owner over and says, “This bird has a wonderful song but look, it only has one leg.” The owner doesn’t miss a beat: “What do you want: a singer or a dancer?” Stick with me folks, I’m going somewhere with this.
We have seen the subject pop up countless times about whether it makes sense in any market to pay full real estate commissions to your real estate agent to manage the sale of your home. “Why should I pay so much to hire an expert when houses have been selling themselves and a mere posting anywhere will generate multiple and escalating offers?” Even the downtrodden buyers of late might ask, “why should I pay a fee to my buyer’s agent to find me the right home when everything is online?” The answer is straightforward but has gotten little attention lately —because you are depending on this person and his or her company to help you reach your goals in a sale or purchase. Going forward, you need an expert guide if you are traveling an unmarked and even dangerous road.
You see, selling or buying is not an event. It is a process. Frequently, it proves to be a long process. So when contemplating either a purchase or a sale, you’ll need a committed guide who has both product knowledge and process skill to get you where you need to go. Finding a buyer willing and able to pay market value at a time of mass uncertainty takes a true professional. A minor miscalculation in trying to time the market could cost thousands. Finding reasonable financing alternatives at affordable rates isn’t a walk in the park today either. A superior agent will be there working for you right up until the closing and will stay with you long after that as well.
“Shopping” for the right agent
So, choosing the right agent to represent your interests is definitely not like going to the pet store. There are many more choices than just singers or dancers. I’ll set down here four criteria to judge by and then one bottom-line question when making that choice in the upcoming market.
1. Product knowledge
What is your competition, where is it, and what is it selling for? Asking prices in the forthcoming market will mean nothing to prospective buyers. Future market activity will be a cross between a price war and a beauty contest. Your asking price and terms must be compelling not just competitive. The condition of your property will need to be sample-house ready. Buyers have always bought by comparison and a good agent will help them become as market-savvy as they can be. Sellers will need an agent with the courage of his or her convictions who will tell them what they need to know, not one who is telling them what they want to hear.
2. Process Skill
A real estate transaction has been likened to an iceberg floating in the ocean. Buyers and sellers only see the top tenth of what goes on in their transaction. The other nine tenths lurks unseen beneath the waves and is critical enough to sink the deal if you do not have a skillful pilot at the helm. Frankly, when the property sells is when the real work begins. Home inspection, appraisal, and mortgage issues will call for subsequent rounds of delicate negotiations.
3. NEGOTIATING SKill
As one fellow put it: “If they were mild-mannered when negotiating with you on price, condition, terms of sale, etc.; then how likely is it that they will turn into a super-agent when negotiating with the buyer or seller on your behalf?” So, in the coming market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars.
4. Marketing Plan
Most agents put this up front in their presentation, but there is a reason that I save it for last. No amount of hype will compensate for an noncompetitive price, poor location, or poor condition in a re-balancing market. Regardless of the mix of media employed, the plan should seek to know and take advantage of the methods that prospective purchasers are using to find the home of their dreams. Furthermore, you’d be smart to employ an agent who can be your ambassador to other agents and who has a reputation for doing good business. Because in the coming marketplace, nobody will have all the prospects.
Bottom-Line Question
When interviewing a real estate agent, ask them why they believe that now is a good time to buy a home or make an investment. They should be able to explain that simply and effectively. Buyers are becoming increasing nervous about buying as interest rates go up. They will want to know that they are making the right choice. You’ll need someone who believes that this is one of the best times in American real estate history to buy. If an interviewee gives you a song and dance on that, how will they be able to convince a potential buyer to buy your home or get that nervous buyer to take that leap of faith?
*The Wall Street Journal defines the fed-funds rate as the overnight rate on lending between banks. It influences other consumer and business borrowing costs throughout the economy, including rates on mortgages, credit cards, savings accounts, car loans and corporate debt. Raising rates typically restrains spending while cutting rates encourages such borrowing. The mortgage market will be negatively affected by the prospect of tighter money.
At Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate we are proud of our 60+ year legacy that proves we are prepared for any market challenge and only getting stronger. As Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage, we are represented by ten offices and over 550 highly-skilled sales associates and staff. Our full range of services include residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local super-agent.
RealTrends recently released the 2022 America’s Best Real Estate Professionals rankings, and Patterson-Schwartz is thrilled to see some of our best and brightest agents and teams on the list!
Patterson-Schwartz agents & teams on America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list 2022
Now in its 10th year, the rankings consist of the top 1.5% of more than 1.6 million licensed real estate professionals nationwide in closed transaction sides and closed volume for 2021. In total, over 23,000 U.S. real estate sales associates from every state are featured in America’s Best.
As a local brokerage based in the second smallest state, seeing nine of our 500 real estate professionals make this nationwide list speaks volumes about our PSA family. Each Delaware honoree earned their spot during one of the most competitive real estate years in the state’s history. We are proud of our 60+ year legacy that proves we are prepared for any market challenge and only getting stronger.
Being recognized among the highest performing agents in the United States is a well-deserved honor for these tireless, resilient, and hard-working members of the PSA family. Get to know them on the list below!
America’s Best – Delaware Rankings 2022
PSA Individuals by Transactions Sides (Out of 26):
Headquartered in the town of Hockessin, Delaware, Patterson-Schwartz has been lighting the way home for over 60 years. We are Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage with ten offices and over 550 sales associates and staff. We offer a full range of services including residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.
Keeping pace with an ever-evolving local market is important, but finding reliable information can be a challenge. Patterson-Schwartz understands this challenge and is pleased to announce a new partnership with CloudCMA and Homebeat, leaders in the home valuation tool industry.
What is a CMA?
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is the term real estate professionals use when they conduct an in-depth analysis of a home’s current worth based on the prices of similar active, pending, and sold properties in the area. Real estate professionals present a CMA to their clients to help them determine a price when listing a home or making an offer to buy a home.
CloudCMA provides our sales associates with the real-time data and innovative tools necessary to guide clients through crucial price-related decisions. When it comes time to list your home for sale, you can depend on our sales associates to provide the very best CMA reporting and personalize it to you. In the meantime, how can you stay informed on the market and begin to understand the true value of your home?
A local real estate expert is your best resource
A flood of websites out there promise an instant value for your home, but, in reality, they are rarely accurate. There are so many factors that contribute to a property’s value that these online models overlook, including the property’s condition. Only a licensed real estate professional familiar with your area can give you a true idea of what your home is worth. In that regard, you should avoid relying solely on a website to determine your home’s value, but understanding local housing trends is a great place to start.
On the fence about selling? Try Homebeat!
Homebeat through Patterson-Schwartz allows you to regularly check the sales activity of the homes around yours. As a Homebeat subscriber, updates about your neighborhood’s housing trends are emailed to you at the frequency of your choice. Each report includes properties in your neighborhood with MLS and market data, and refreshes automatically with the most recent listings and sales information available.
When you’re ready to consider selling, a Patterson-Schwartz sales associate can upgrade your Homebeat to a comprehensive CMA and deliver it to you in the method you prefer: in-person, electronically, or video chat. The knowledge and personal care of our local experts paired with the innovative reporting data from CloudCMA will help you list your home with confidence in any market. To keep your finger on the pulse of the market, get started with Homebeat today!
About Us
Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage and offers a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961.
Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is proud to be among the nation’s top brokerages in The RealTrends Five Hundred, an annual report published by RealTrends of the top 500 independent real estate brokerages in the United States. Ranking 71st nationally and maintaining the number one spot as Delaware’s leading locally owned and independently operated brokerage, Patterson-Schwartz had a total sales volume of $1,660,820,573.00 with 4,593 transaction sides in 2021.
Rooted in Service
Patterson-Schwartz may stand out as one of the few locally owned companies in an industry dominated in recent days by big brands and franchises, but our connection to the community and its people is hardly a novelty. Opening in 1961 in a semi-detached Wilmington home with just 10 associates, Patterson-Schwartz now has 10 offices across the state and into Maryland, and is home to over 500 real estate professionals and staff.
We know this market. We are this market. We came from this market so there isn’t much locally that escapes our notice.
Charlie Schwartz, II, son of founder Charlie Schwartz, Sr.
For over 60 years, we have been honing an ability to adapt and overcome market challenges by listening to, learning about, and anticipating the needs of our agents, clients, and industry. We have weathered good markets and bad with innovative marketing strategies, leading technology tools, and a supportive company culture that pulls from our collective experience and knowledge. And at the root of all our success is the hard work of our family of sales associates and staff who dedicate themselves to providing exceptional service every day.
It’s because of this proud history and service legacy that Patterson-Schwartz is able to embrace an ever-evolving real estate landscape and remain a leader in our market. As an independent broker with a hyper-local focus, Patterson-Schwartz lives and breathes what it means to be a part of the communities we serve. We are committed to supporting local homeowners with the high standards of integrity and service established by our founders for years to come.
Locally Grown, Nationally Recognized
Headquartered in the town of Hockessin, Delaware, Patterson-Schwartz has been lighting the way home for over 60 years. We are Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage with ten offices and over 550 sales associates and staff. We offer a full range of services including residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.
Experts anticipate the real estate market will see a flurry of activity this winter, and that’s great news for today’s sellers. If you’re planning on listing your home, there’s no need to wait until the spring for better conditions – today’s real estate market is already heating up.
Buyers Have Warmed Up to the Idea of Purchasing This Winter
The past 18 months brought about significant lifestyle changes for many of us, including the rise in remote work, job changes, and even early retirement for some. For many people, it’s prompting a search for their next home now rather than waiting for warmer months.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), points out how this winter may see a significant number of sales:
“Compared to other past winter seasons, this winter season’s sales activity will be stronger. . . . This winter, there will be more sales compared to pre-pandemic winters going back all the way to 2006.”
You might be wondering: what does strong sales activity mean for you? It means there are likely to be more buyers active in the market this winter – far more than more normal, pre-pandemic years.
In the same article, Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, puts it in these simple terms:
“Sellers can expect to see plenty of buyers.”
The more buyers there are in the market, the more likely it is your home will get noticed. That can lead to a multiple-offer scenario or a potential bidding war. Receiving multiple offers on your home means you can select the right offer and terms for your situation – so you can truly win as a seller when you list your house this winter.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about selling your house, you don’t need to wait until the spring. Buyers are ready now. Connect with one of our local experts to discuss why selling this holiday season could be the gift that keeps on giving. Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961.
Source: Keeping Current Matters, December 2021. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice.
It is no secret that today’s consumers often begin their search for a home online. And now more than ever, a robust and effective online strategy is vital for connecting with home buyers. At Patterson-Schwartz, we employ a vast array of online marketing efforts to increase our listings’ exposure, and we’re excited to announce a new animated format from our digital ad partner, Adwerx Enterprise.
Enhancing the digital experience
In 2018 Patterson-Schwartz began a partnership with Adwerx Enterprise, an industry leader in digital advertising automation. With the Adwerx platform, digital ads for new Patterson-Schwartz listings launch when a property is publicly listed during the all-important first week that a home hits the market and receives the most attention. Combined with sophisticated retargeting technology, these ads follow local home buyers around the web and appear on popular websites such as ESPN and the New York Times and social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
“Patterson-Schwartz focuses on using superior tools to market their listings, and we have helped them engage online buyers and cost-effectively advertise on websites alongside big brands,” says Nathan Kainz, Enterprise Account Management, Team Lead at Adwerx. “But we know the real estate industry is competitive and are always looking to enhance the ability to grab the attention of consumers.”
An innovative partnership
Developed to stand out in the digital environment, Adwerx Motion combines the effectiveness of targeting listing ads with the power of motion to create content that reaches more prospective buyers and increases the visibility of each listing. This new feature allows display advertising to be animated using HTML5 technology – an ad type proven to drive higher engagement and improved click-through rates.
“When we were approached by our account representative to be one of the first brokers to launch Adwerx Motion ads, we didn’t hesitate to jump on board.
“The ability to upgrade our automated listing campaigns to an animated design creates another opportunity for our agents to impress their sellers and win the listing presentation. Adwerx consistently enables us to provide value to our agents and their clients by helping their listings stand out in a highly competitive environment.”
Justin Kierstead, Marketing Director of Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate
About Us
Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent REALTOR® with ten offices and over 450 full-time Sales Associates. We offer a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961.
If you’re trying to decide when to sell your house, there may not be a better time to list than right now. The ultimate sellers’ market we’re in today won’t last forever. If you’re thinking of making a move, here are four reasons to put your house up for sale sooner rather than later.
1. Your House Will Likely Sell Quickly
According to the Realtors Confidence Index released by the National Association of Realtors(NAR), homes continue to sell quickly – on average, they’re selling in just 17 days. As a seller, that’s great news for you.
Average days on market is a strong indicator of buyer demand. And if homes are selling quickly, buyers have to be more decisive and act fast to submit their offer before other buyers swoop in.
2. Buyers Are Willing To Compete for Your House
In addition to selling quickly, homes are receiving multiple offers. That same survey shows sellers are seeing an average of 4.5 offers, and they’re competitive ones. The graph below shows how the average number of offers right now compares to previous years:
Buyers today know bidding wars are a likely outcome, and they’re coming prepared with their best offer in hand. Receiving several offers on your house means you can select the one that makes the most sense for your situation and financial well-being.
3. When Supply Is Low, Your House Is in the Spotlight
One of the most significant challenges for motivated buyers is the current inventory of homes for sale. Though it’s improving, it remains at near-record lows. The chart below shows how today’s low inventory stacks up against recent years. The lighter the blue is in the chart, the lower the housing supply.
If you’re looking to take advantage of buyer demand and get the most attention for your house, selling now before more listings come to the market might be your best option.
4. If You’re Thinking of Moving Up, Now May Be the Time
If your current home no longer meets your needs, it may be the perfect time to make a move. Today, homeowners are gaining a significant amount of wealth through growing equity. You can leverage that equity, plus current low mortgage rates, to power your move now. But these near-historic low rates won’t last forever.
Experts forecast interest rates will rise. In their forecast, Freddie Macsays:
“While we forecast rates to increase gradually later in the year, we don’t expect to see a rapid increase. At the end of the year, we forecast 30-year rates will be around 3.4%, rising to 3.8% by the fourth quarter of 2022.”
When rates rise, even modestly, it’ll impact your monthly payment and by extension your purchasing power.
Bottom Line
Don’t delay. The combination of housing supply challenges, low mortgage rates, and extremely motivated buyers gives sellers a unique opportunity this season. If you’re thinking about making a move, reach out to one of our local experts to chat about why it makes sense to list your house now. Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961.
Source: Keeping Current Matters, September 2021.The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice.
