Here's some information which may be of interest if you are considering a move to our area.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS

New Castle County, DE

Charter/Choice Program

The Delaware School Choice Program grants parents the right to apply to enroll their children in any public school in Delaware. The school building and grade level or program capacity determine how many "choice" students can be accepted in any school.

Parents must apply to each school district in which they wish to enroll their children. Enrollment preference will be given to returning students, students who live within the feeder pattern for the school and to students who have a sibling in the school. Generally, a student must remain in a "choice" school for at least two years. Applications may be obtained from Delaware school district offices or from the Department of Public Instruction.

Private/Parochial Schools

There are several excellent private schools in New Castle County. Among the most popular are Wilmington Friends School, Sanford, Tatnall and Tower Hill. In the Montessori Schools, each classroom is run like a self-contained community and democratic principles of equality and respect are carried out. Montessori teachers are AMS (American Montessori Society) certified.

Private Catholic and Parochial schools are also available in the area. The Diocese of Wilmington encompasses the entire state of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland over 5,000 square miles with 37 schools. All schools in the diocese offer a comprehensive educational program from early childhood through 12th grade, with the primary purpose being religious instruction. The basic skills are emphasized, with exemplary programs in science, social studies, art music and physical education.

Religious-affiliated schools offer excellent educational opportunities with a variety of extra-curricular activities. Religious concepts are incorporated into the curriculum.

Independent schools are located throughout New Castle County, offering gifted programs to exceptional students. Instruction in basic skills is emphasized with computer science and foreign language courses being offered as well.

Special schools are available for learning disabled and handicapped students.

Brandywine School District

The Brandywine School District is located in the northeastern section of New Castle County, bordering the State of Pennsylvania and the Brandywine Creek. The district includes the northern section of the City of Wilmington. A comprehensive educational program is offered from kindergarten through the twelfth grade emphasizing academic achievement as well as a variety of supplemental, enrichment and extra-curricular activities. Learning activities are developed in the classroom to assist students in attaining the instructional objectives.

Academically Gifted and Honors programs are provided for students integrating the areas of foreign language, language arts, science and social studies. Additionally, a wide range of special education services are available for students who need minimal assistance as well as those who require a completely self contained intensive program.

The District Computer Program has been expanded as part of a well-organized plan. Elementary school students use computers to practice and learn math, reading and other subjects. Each secondary school has a fully equipped computer laboratory. The Brandywine District provides an extensive Fine Arts program involving professional artists. Poets, painters, and musicians demonstrate their talents for students in the schools and assist them in exploring their individual and group creativity. The District offers extracurricular activities with intramural and interscholastic sports programs, newspaper and yearbook staffs, foreign language clubs, ski clubs, math leagues and drama groups. A student operated radio station is housed in one of the high schools. Parents are actively involved as partners in the Brandywine schools through PTAs, Home and School Associations and Citizens Advisory Councils.

Christiana School District

The Christiana School District is Delaware's largest and fastest growing public school system. Christiana serves the City of Newark and its suburban areas as well as a section of the City of Wilmington. The district offers a comprehensive K-12 educational program designed to meet the needs of students of all abilities and interests. The latest technology for both student and staff use expands the educational program and enhances district operations. The district has a number of partnerships with businesses and higher education institutions which further enrich instruction and open the community to our students. Programs for gifted and talented students are offered at all grade levels. These stress the development of problem solving skills, critical thinking and creative expression.

Accelerated courses are available in all of the core subjects. Vocational courses in the areas of agriculture, business, home economics, industrial arts and trades and work experience serve students in their personal lives as well as prepare them for careers. A comprehensive array of programs is available for students with special needs under the least restrictive environment principles. The district has special schools for students with hearing disabilities as well as students with autism.

These educational programs take place in well maintained, safe and orderly schools where a dedicated teaching staff strives to meet the individual needs of each child.

There is a wide range of extracurricular activities and intramural and interscholastic athletic programs to broaden students' school life. A number of district schools offer before and after school programs.

Appoquinimink School District

The Appoquinimink School District is one of six public school districts in New Castle County. Located in the lower portion of the county, the district has an area of approximately 100 square miles and includes the towns of Middletown, Odessa and Townsend. The district offers a comprehensive K-12 educational program designed to meet the needs and abilities of the students. A strong emphasis is placed on the mastery of basic academic skills that enable students to gather information and to express ideas through the effective use of words, numbers and symbols. Instruction in the basic skills is complemented by instruction in science, social science, art, music, physical education and a wide variety of elective subjects. At the high school level, programs are offered that help prepare students for entry into the workforce, for technical training and for college. Supporting the basic curriculum are programs in special education, remedial instruction and education addressing the needs of the gifted and talented youth of the district.

Appoquinimink schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities designed to enrich the educational program. There are intramural and interscholastic sports for both boys and girls. Bands, chorus, drama groups and other organizations provide experiences in the performing and creative arts. Clubs offer extensions of classroom study or opportunities to develop hobbies into careers. The district has established computer training in each school. Funding for the computer program comes from a combination of federal, state and local sources. The district is committed to providing staff members with a variety of educational materials and opportunities for professional growth that will enhance the learning process.

Colonial School District

The Colonial School District serves the areas that include the northeast portion of the City of Wilmington and an area south of the city bounded by Interstate 95 to the west and the Delaware River to the east. The goal of the Colonial School District is to improve the academic achievement of all students. Colonial schools encourage and support partnerships with parents, local business and industry, colleges and universities, government and the community. Curricula are aligned with national and state standards and are K-12 comprehensive to assure continuity of instruction. Curricular areas are continuously reviewed following a research model. To help assure in-depth instruction and minimal interruption of the teaching/learning process, the high school has selectively implemented "block scheduling" allowing students to spend 90 minutes in a class rather than the typical 45 minutes. Students have access to technology, such as calculators, computers, automated libraries and other state of the art technology from primary grades though high school.

Vocational programs and exploratory courses are provided from grades 6 to 12. Students are introduced to skills needed to acquire and retain employment in fields such as graphic arts, carpentry, agriculture and business management. The school district has cultivated collaborative partnerships with the National Science Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania and other universities and colleges in Delaware and neighboring states to further this effort. Colonial Schools offer programming for gifted and talented students including honors and advanced placement courses in the high school.

The district operates an Early Childhood Center to meet the needs of children identified as having special needs. Some programs offered to students include the Planetarium Program, Instrumental/Choral Music, Cooperative Education Program with Delaware Symphony, Elementary summer enrichment programs, computer science, foreign language, art instruction, drama and theater, tutoring services in English as a second language, and homebound instruction for students with special needs. Competitive athletic teams include swimming, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball, football, wrestling, hockey, basketball, softball, baseball, cross country, golf and lacrosse.

Red Clay School District

The Red Clay Consolidated School District serves the northwestern section of New Castle County, including a portion of the City of Wilmington and the suburban and rural areas to the Pennsylvania state line. The communities within the district include Greenville, Hockessin, Yorklyn, the Pike Creek Valley, Stanton, and the towns of Newport and Elsmere.

The district is a comprehensive K-12 public school system with excellent educational opportunities for students of all levels. The instructional program begins with the mastery of basic skills by all students and is centered around individualized programs to meet the needs of each student, from the most challenged to the most gifted. All schools have well stocked libraries and there are planetariums and observatories, swimming pools, language and science labs, technical preparation labs and theatre and music facilities in the district. A computer assisted learning program offers literacy and programming courses in all schools at all grade levels. Several programs are offered including foreign languages (Chinese, Latin, French, German and Spanish), Academy of Finance banking and financial services, agriculture, instrumental music instruction, intramural and interscholastic sports and extracurricular programs. Free and appropriate programs are available for children requiring special education, based on the least restrictive environment and mainstreaming. There is also a dedicated school for students with moderate to severe disabilities including hearing, visual and physical disabilities.

Vocational Technical School District

The New Castle County Vocational Technical School District is a public school system providing the youth of New Castle County the unique opportunity to obtain nearly 1,500 hours of specialized skills or technical training while earning their high school diplomas. The district offers 41 career programs in grades 10-12 as well as a ninth grade exploratory program. Each of the schools provide full time comprehensive programs, scheduling students for both academic and career courses. The schools are approved by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.

Special programs include advanced courses for college bound students, special education, cooperative employment, three year trade program certification, athletics, vocational organizations, and extracurricular activities.

Back to Top

Kent County, DE

Caesar Rodney School District

The Caesar Rodney School District is geographically located in the center of the county. It encompasses suburban Dover and rural areas. The population is clustered in the suburban Dover and adjoining Camden-Wyoming town area and in housing developments throughout the district. All students in grades 5 and 6 receive computer aided instruction every day as a supplement to class instruction in reading, writing and math. There is a science computer lab for grades 7 and 8. The high school library is a model for technologically aided research and information retrieval and is connected to the Internet. The high school offers varsity, junior varsity and some freshmen athletic programs in girls and boys soccer, football, field hockey, girls volleyball, cross country, girls and boys basketball, winter track, wrestling, softball, baseball, lacrosse and track and field. Junior high and middle school offer similar programs. Band is available starting with Grade 5. There are band and choir programs at the middle school and the junior high. The high school offers concert band, marching band, choir, three theater productions a year as well as periodic art and photography displays organized and presented by students in those programs.

Capital School District

The Capital School District is located within and encompasses the city limits of the City of Dover. The regular instructional program, K-6, includes language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health education and physical education. Math manipulatives, problem solving and applications to real life are at the heart of mathematical instruction. Math skills are integrated with science whenever possible. A hands-on approach to science is encouraged in the district.

When students reach fifth and sixth grades, they can participate in band and chorus, as well as in a variety of school activities. All schools have computer labs and many classrooms have computers. In addition to the regular program, special programs are offered for special education and gifted and talented. Students who are highly gifted and demonstrate the need for a special program attend a self-contained program at one of the schools. Each school has a nurse, guidance counselors, speech therapists and psychologist. Parents are encouraged to visit the schools, volunteer in the classrooms and become an integral part of their child's education.

Lake Forest School District

The Lake Forest School District is located in central Kent County stretching from the Delaware/Maryland line to the Delaware Bay. A comprehensive educational program is offered in kindergarten through 12th grade, emphasizing academic achievement as well as a variety of supplemental enrichment and extracurricular activities. Each curricular activity is designed with specific learning objectives in mind. Learning activities are developed in the classroom to assist students in attaining the instructional objectives. A strong basic skills program exists at both the elementary and secondary levels. A wide range of special education services is available for students who need minimal assistance and those who require a completely self contained intensive program. There is an Intensive Learning Center located in Kent County. The district provides services for students with hearing, visual and orthopedic disabilities. Advanced placement and honors courses are offered, as well as other programs such as Computer Education, Foreign Language, Academically Gifted, Merit, Artists in Education, Music, Swimming and extracurricular activities. The Superintendent and the Instructional Services Division, along with building administrators, monitor the educational program in all schools and plan programs for staff development. Parents are actively involved as partners in the Lake Forest schools, participating in PTAs as substitute teachers and on Citizens Advisory Councils, Alumni Associations and special-issue task forces.

Milford School District

The Milford School District, located on the eastern shore of southern Delaware, is bordered to the east by the Delaware Bay and to the north by the Murderkill River. The southern boundary is just south of Ellendale and the western boundary is outside Houston. The communities of Ellendale, Houston, Lincoln, Milford and Slaughter Beach are within the boundaries of the Milford School District. The Milford School District provides a comprehensive program for all children with emphasis on literature-based reading, process writing and math. Thinking skills are integrated across the curriculum.

The district strives to implement a wide variety of programs to meet student needs, including gifted and talented, special education, college preparation and vocational technical training. Close cooperation among teachers, parents, and students is encouraged. The early childhood program provides a developmentally appropriate approach in a nurturing environment. The counseling program emphasizes self concept development, coping skills and human relations. Local service clubs and the school district co-sponsor an extensive motivation program which rewards student performance in academics, attendance and behavior.

Beginning at the kindergarten level, special emphasis begins in the area of teaching process writing with computers, which continues through the twelfth grade. The middle school has an outdoor environmental classroom and a science technology lab. A state of the art communications lab features video technology and multimedia. The high school curriculum provides a broad range of academic programs including occupational education, technical training, several advanced placement courses and college courses. High school biology science programs incorporate laser disk technology.

All school libraries have on-line services for student use for telecommunications and computerized circulation systems. The high school has a comprehensive athletic program in addition to active drama and music groups, as well as many special interest clubs.

Smyrna School District

The Smyrna School District encompasses 179 square miles in north central Delaware. The district is comprised of three communities: Kenton, Clayton, and Smyrna. The district boundaries are the southern portion of New Castle County and the northern portion of Kent County and stretches from the Delaware Bay on the east to the Maryland state line on the west. All students have educational opportunities that are varied, with an extensive range of curriculum related experiences. Programs include developmental early childhood through college preparatory.

Academically motivated students may enroll in Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Special programs provide for children who have exceptional learning styles or special needs. Smyrna School District is dedicated to setting high expectations for all students. The Board of Education, administration, faculty and the community work cooperatively to provide a comprehensive educational program. The Smyrna School District provides special programs for children who have exceptional learning styles. Special services programs include: Gifted and Talented, Speech, Hearing and Learning Disabled, Socially and Emotionally Maladjusted, Educationally and Mentally Handicapped, and Psychological evaluations.

Vocational Technical School District

POLYTECH is the full-time comprehensive vocational/technical high school for 9th-12th graders who live in Kent County, Delaware. These students graduate with an academic diploma, technical skills and in many cases, job experience.

The vocational/technical career programs make POLYTECH unique in that 9th graders enter an intensive career exploration program designed to help them determine their best career choice. After choosing a career to study, students join one of POLYTECH's Academies: Health and Criminal Justice, Industrial, Professional Services or Technical. Each academy is made up of related technical programs, academic classes, occupational-related courses, and other offerings.

The cooperative Education Program offers actual on-the-job work experience once required course competencies are completed. After graduation, Placement Counselors assist students by matching the graduate with the appropriate job opportunity. The POLYTECH Learning Resource Center offers a large collection of books and magazines, as well as the ability to focus on computers as a learning and research tool.

Back to Top

Cecil County, MD

Cecil County

The Cecil County school system is unique within the Tri-State area. All of its students are educated through one comprehensive network of schools and enjoy the same excellent level of education throughout the county. The mission of Cecil County Public School System is to educate all students through quality programs, to ensure equality of opportunity, to meet individual needs for maximum development of each child, and to provide a foundation for lifelong learning. They strive to create a positive self-image in all students, to instill in them a love of learning, and to teach the prerequisite skills required for success in life.

Students in Cecil County Public Schools participate in several testing programs at various grade levels and consistently score above the national norm.

Fourteen thousand students attend 28 public schools under the leadership of over 1,400 staff. Schools and classes tend to be small and the quality of education is unsurpassed.

A Gifted and Talented Program is offered to students with high academic ability and/or special talent beginning in elementary school and continuing through grade 8. The high school Gifted and Talented Program consists of art, music, drama and Advanced Placement Courses. A comprehensive special education program is available in Cecil County with Special Education Resource classes. Collaborative teaching by regular education and special education teachers addresses the needs of mainstreamed students with disabilities at all grade levels.

The Diploma Plus Program provides an opportunity for students to earn a Certificate of Achievement in addition to a Maryland High School Diploma. Certificates can be awarded in Career Preparatory, Technical Preparatory, and College Preparatory courses of study. Involvement in Diploma Plus encourages the completion of a challenging four-year high school program and establishes standards in excess of Maryland's minimum graduation requirements.

Tech Prep is an integrated program of study utilizing applied academics available in secondary schools. The programs articulated with Cecil Community College are Business Administration, Electronics, Office Technology, Professional Photography, and Dynamic Technology. CADD (Computer Aided Design Drawing), Agri-business, and Allied Health are also program studies.

Vocational-Technical Educational programs are an integral part of the Cecil County school program and are available to all high school students.

The county's Gifted and Talented Program is to advance students with exceptional academic abilities and/or talents. At the elementary and middle school level this program is of a "pull-out" nature administered by the appropriate staff members in each school. A thematic approach is taken that requires extended creative thinking, problem solving, and cooperative learning skills. Areas of concentration are social studies, language arts, and sciences; however each school offers a variety of high school programs. Advanced placement courses for which college credits can be awarded are biology, calculus, computer science, U.S. history, and English.

Guidance and Counseling Services are offered to all secondary and many elementary students in the Cecil County School System. Counseling helps students with career decisions, planning formal education and personal and academic growth.

Interscholastic Sports Programs are offered in baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, soccer, softball, tennis, track/field, volleyball and wrestling.

The Business and Education Partnership Advisory Council (BEPAC) coordinates the efforts of the many contributions in money and services from local businesses and corporations. These efforts make possible professional development opportunities for teachers and career education opportunities for students.

Back to Top

Southern Chester County, PA

Avon Grove School District

The Avon Grove School District includes Avondale, West Grove, London-Grove Township, Franklin Township, London Britain Township, New London Township and Penn Township.

Programs are offered for academically talented and gifted students at all levels. A Language Experience approach is integrated in reading programs, with certified reading lists at each level. Guidance, library and nursing services are offered. Art, music and physical education are offered as well.

The district provides a wide range of special education services including learning disabled, speech and psychological services. English as a Second Language Program is available to non-English speaking students.

Kennett Consolidated School District

The Kennett Consolidated School District includes Kennett Township, New Garden Township and Kennett Square Borough, plus a small segment of East Marlborough Township in the northeast corner of Chester County, bordering Kennett Township. The District stresses basic skills and students are grouped for enrichment with guidance available at all levels. In elementary school, the stress is primarily on basic skills and creative growth and discovery. In the middle school, the emphasis is more on academics with creative learning in language arts, social studies and science. In high school, the academically gifted program stresses the humanities, literature and art. Foreign languages begin in the eighth grade and include Spanish, French and Latin. Physical education is offered with gymnasiums in all schools. Musical opportunities include chorus and instrumental lessons.

Oxford Area School District

The Oxford Area School District offers many programs in addition to the full curriculum, special areas of study such as foreign language, music, art, computer learning, and closed circuit student operated television/news.

Students can join student council, student clubs, work on the school newspaper, and participate in intramural sports programs. Special education programs are offered for the learning disabled, gifted, and speech/hearing/visually impaired.

Full-time guidance counselors are available at each school.

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is located thirty miles west of Philadelphia, PA and fifteen miles north of Wilmington, DE. The district includes 77 square miles in seven townships of southeastern Chester and extreme western Delaware Counties, PA. Most residents of the district commute either to Wilmington or the Philadelphia area for employment. However a number of small businesses are also present, as well as a large amount of open space devoted to agriculture. The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District offers programs for the academically talented and special education.

Guidance counselors are available at each school.

West Chester School District

The West Chester School District includes West Chester Borough, the Townships of West Shetland, East Bradford, West Goshen, East Goshen, Westtown, Thornbury in Chester County and Thornbury in Delaware County. Exemplary gifted programs are offered in all grades. Computer education is taught at every grade level. Foreign language instruction is offered in Italian, French, Spanish, German, Latin, Russian, Japanese Chinese. Programs are also offered in Business Education, Distributive Education, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts. Special Education offerings are available for all exceptionalities. Every school provides a reading specialist, a school nurse, a librarian, a caseworker, and guidance and counseling programs.

Back to Top

Delaware County West, PA

Garnet Valley School District

The Garnet Valley School District is located in southwestern Delaware County and consists of three municipalities: Concord Township, Bethel Township and Chester Heights Borough.

The elementary program provides instruction in the basic areas of reading, english, spelling, handwriting, math, science and social studies. Students also receive instruction in music, art, physical education, library and remedial reading by certified supportive staff. At the elementary level, special education programs are provided for gifted and learning-disabled students.

The middle school and high school programs provide instruction in the basic academic areas of english, math, science and social studies and reading. Students can enroll in programs geared for college preparatory, business and vocational and technical training.

The District provides opportunities for students to participate in band, orchestra, chorus, clubs and athletics.

A Home and School Association operates in each of the schools. This organization provides adult assistance to the schools and, through fundraisers, provides funds to the schools for assemblies, trips and instructional materials.

Back to Top

DESTINATION DELAWARE

Living in Delaware

Ask the average Delawarean what he thinks about living in the First State and he'll answer you with a smile. That's because the general feeling is one of contentment. People truly enjoy living here. Delaware and its environs offer the best of urban, suburban and rural life within a surprisingly compact area.

Delaware is a land rich in resources both man-made and natural. To natives and newcomers alike, the tiny state of Delaware is quickly establishing a national reputation as a Small Wonder. In terms of size, Delaware has the distinction of being the 2nd smallest state in the Union, and, in terms of historical significance, it was the First State to ratify the Constitution of the United States of America.

"I'm new here..."
For the uninitiated, Delaware is a pleasant surprise awaiting discovery. Referring to the state's great value relative to its diminutive size, Thomas Jefferson dubbed Delaware "The Diamond State." Today, Delaware is ideally positioned in one of the nation's most geographically desirable locations. With Philadelphia and New York City to the north and Baltimore and Washington, D.C. to the south, Delaware is within about two hours of literally thousands of exciting things to do. Yet as an area brimming with museums, entertainment, nature's beauty, tax-free shopping and more, it's often just as much fun to stay near home.

The state's variable climate, too, adds to its inestimable charm. The Delaware Valley enjoys the contrasts of four distinct seasons, none too extreme. Ranging from pink-blossomed springs to sun-soaked summers, from amber-hued autumns to (occasionally) white-blanketed winters, Delaware's outdoors are a continuous display of nature's finery. Summer and winter temperatures average a moderate 76°F and 32°F respectively, with an average annual rainfall of 45 inches. Perhaps most significant of the state's variety of geographic features are Delaware's beaches, considered by many as "the place to be" from Memorial Day through the Indian summer days of September and October. For contrast, the nearby Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania draw many Delawareans for skiing and other cold weather activities.

Delaware History

An English Captain sailing into Delaware Bay named the state in honor of Lord de La Warr, the Provincial Governor of Virginia. Twenty-one years later, the first European settlement, Zwaanendael, was established on Delaware soil by a group of Dutch fishermen near what is now the resort town of Lewes. Tragically, the entire population of the colony was wiped out in a dispute with the region's Lenni Lenape Indians.

In 1637 a second group of Swedes and Finns established the colony which eventually took hold. Today, Old Swedes Church in Wilmington, erected in 1698, is the oldest Protestant church in the U.S. still in use. In due time, Delaware also became home to the British and Dutch.

On December 7, 1787, after the colonists wrestled the continent from Britain, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States. The proud heritage of Delaware remains to this day, as is evidenced by the number of public parks, schools, museums, monuments and roadways bearing the names of historically significant figures Caesar Rodney, Commodore McDonough, Gunning Bedford, and Thomas McKean, among others.

First State Fast Facts

Fewer than a hundred miles long from north to south and only thirteen to thirty-five miles wide, Delaware is the 49th largest state in the Union. Only Rhode Island has fewer than the 1,982 square miles of land area that Delawareans call home. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and by Maryland to the south and west. According to recent statistics, the state's population is over 730,000 strong.

Delaware is made up of three counties New Castle to the north, Kent in the center and Sussex to the south which are stacked like blocks. The state's largest city, Wilmington, is situated in New Castle County, while Dover, the capital, is located in Kent County. Neighboring counties, however including Cecil County in Maryland and the southern portions of Chester and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania are often considered part of "greater Delaware" or "Metro Wilmington."

The combination of characteristics of all three Delaware counties and their surrounding areas are unique and varied enough to appeal to virtually any lifestyle.

Although Delaware was once known as the "Chemical Capital of the World", its present economy is built on a healthy mixture of agriculture, finance, insurance, tourism and, of course, the chemical industry. Additionally, due to favorable corporate tax laws, more than 203,000 companies are incorporated in the First State, including over half of the Fortune 500.

From an individual perspective, Delaware has a per capita income of over $21,500 (ranking thirteenth in the country), one of the lowest costs of living on the East Coast and a lower than average property tax. Add Delaware's commitment to tax-free shopping as a way to promote consumer spending and it's easy to understand Delaware's sustained prosperity and fiscal health.

Why We Like it Here

Delawareans describe the state with phrases ranging from "a slice of Americana" to "the epicenter of the most powerful stretch of real estate in the world the New York City to Washington, D.C. corridor." It's a place small enough to call home yet large enough to have it all. And most of Delaware's 731,581 inhabitants would agree Delaware is a great place to be!

Patterson-Schwartz was founded right here in Delaware in 1961. As the hometown team, we know this area better than anyone. So, when you need a REALTOR®, choose the team that's First in the First State choose Patterson-Schwartz!

DO I REALLY NEED A REALTOR®?

The answer is YES!

When you're ready to sell your property, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself?
2. If you were one of the 'do-it-yourself' people, would the results be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance?
1. Would it have gone smoother?
2. Would it have given you more personal time?
3. Would you have sold for more if a real estate agent was involved?

Read on to find out how a professional Sales Associate from Patterson-Schwartz can show you everything you need to know about a real estate transaction.

Selling Real Estate

Pricing

This process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your Patterson-Schwartz Sales Associate can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly, and with minimum hassle.

Marketing

The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

Advertising is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how to advertise your property.

There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal contacts.

Security

When the property is marketed with an agent's help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Negotiating

The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections, and financing a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing

Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

How Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid?

Real estate agents or brokers are generally paid through the sales commission paid by the seller when a transaction closes. Agents have expenses and financial obligations just like you, so it will be to your mutual benefit if you choose a real estate agent and stick with that person. The agent will respect your loyalty and respond with a sincere commitment to you.

Why A REALTOR®?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on business cards and other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again. (At Patterson-Schwartz, over 97% of our customers tell us that our service met or exceeded their expectations!)

Using a REALTOR®

You Be the Judge!

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you handle it without the help of an attorney?

Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, you may be penny-wise but pound-poor to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®!

© Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and RealSelect, Inc. 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998

Back to Top

THINKING OF SELLING? THINK PATTERSON-SCHWARTZ FOR MAXIMUM EXPOSURE!

Get Into The System

The Patterson-Schwartz Comprehensive Marketing System, that is. When you list your home with Patterson-Schwartz, you engage the most successful real estate team in Delaware. Our full-service marketing department is headquartered locally and focused solely on helping our customers achieve their goals! Here are some of the ways your home will receive Maximum Exposure.

The Book on Real Estate

The Book on Real Estate is Patterson-Schwartz' proprietary publication, inserted in the The News Journal 20 times per year with a circulation of over 125,000 per insertion. This 36+ page full-photo magazine features our total listing inventory in a logical, easy-to-read format. The Book also includes information on New Homes Communities, rental properties and a whole section dedicated to condominiums.

www.pattersonschwartz.com

Our award-winning website contains tons of great information including current listings, mortgage information (including a mortgage calculator and free pre-qualification feature through our home-financing partner, Gilpin Mortgage), new homes communities, Luxury Portfolio (our specialized marketing program for homes priced $1,000,000 and above), links to other great sites and more! Our site is also linked to several major commercial sites, such as Realtor.com, @delawareonline, America Online's Digital Cities and RELO. It has fast become an invaluable tool for both transferees and local buyers!

Print Advertising

New listings and open houses are featured in a full-page, full-color ad on the back page of The News Journal Sunday real estate section. Patterson-Schwartz also advertises weekly in local community publications.

Appointment Center

Any Patterson-Schwartz listing may be shown with just one phone call to our full-time, professionally staffed appointment center (instead of countless phone calls to busy Sales Associates to schedule showings). This service makes your home easiest to show and quickest to sell!

Lawn Signs

The distinctive Patterson-Schwartz lawn sign in front of your home tells potential buyers that you care enough about quality to choose the #1 Best Seller. There's an office phone number, our web address and the HotLine number on every sign, so homebuyers have a number of ways to get information on your home.

24-Hour Real Estate HotLine

From around town (234-5200) or around the country (800-220-5200), our HotLine provides comprehensive information about your home to callers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are even options to calculate a mortgage payment, connect directly to the listing agent or search for listings by area. And the five-digit HotLine number for your home is included in our print advertising and on lawn signs. Best of all, our brand new IVR (interactive voice response) technology allows us to respond directly to callers requesting information on your home.

Relocation Center

As a member of RELO, The Premier Real Estate Network, Patterson-Schwartz is one of over 1,000 real estate brokers throughout the country who generate and distribute business referrals to one another. Patterson-Schwartz is also a preferred broker for major area employers offering relocation services. In fact, nearly 2,000 buyers, sellers and renters contact our Relocation Center every year!

Community Involvement

Real estate is the ultimate "grass roots" industry, and Patterson-Schwartz enhances its community presence by sponsoring a variety of charitable events it's good business, and, more importantly, it's the right thing to do. We're proud that our employees and Sales Associates spend thousands of hours each year volunteering for organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for our friends and neighbors in need.

For maximum exposure, you can't do better than Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate!

Back to Top

COST OF LIVING INFORMATION

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index compared three cities in Delaware with the nation's "Standard City" in 2005. The cost of living was compiled using figures from auto insurance prices, housing costs, property taxes, state and local income taxes and utility costs.

The index was based on an income level of $50,000 for a family of four which owned a 2000 square foot house and one car.

Cost of Living Comparison

Seaford, Delaware	102.9
Dover, DE	99.1
Wilmington, DE	105.0
Phoenix, AZ	96.9
Fresno, CA	119.6
Denver, CO	103.0
Washington, DC	89.1
Baltimore, MD	118.5
Boston, Massachusetts	137.4
Newark, New Jersey	133.8
New York, NY	202.1
Portland, Oregon	115.6
Philadelphia, PA	125.4
Austin, Texas	97.1
Standard City USA	100.0

In 2005, 75.8% of Delawareans owned their homes compared to 68.9% nationwide.

Delaware homeowners' property taxes are generally lower than those of residents in the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.

Back to Top

MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN DELAWARE

Delaware's Top Ten Employers:

1. State of Delaware
2. Bank of America
3. Christiana Care Health Services
4. E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.
5. Dover Air Force Base
6. J. P. Morgan Chase & Co.
7. AstraZeneca
8. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
9. University of Delaware
10. Mountaire Farms, Inc.

Back to Top