December 14, 2012

Everything that rises, sets, and everything that grows, grows old.”  Sallust “We have not yet managed to stop time, but…”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 599566-$79,000.  Here is a Bank Owned Victorian in Milford, DE.  This home has 4 BR, 1.5 BA in 2126 sq. ft. with Victorian accents, including beveled glass door, a massive gilded mirror in the dining room and both front and rear stairs, plus a nicely appointed wood foyer.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.

Three Easy Holiday Centerpieces

If holiday entertaining is on your horizon, try one of these simple yet elegant centerpiece ideas to quickly cross one of the items off your to-do list!

If holiday entertaining is on your horizon, try one of these simple yet elegant centerpiece ideas to quickly cross one of the items off your to-do list!

1.  Ornamental Elegance – a centerpiece doesn’t have to be elaborate to be gorgeous.  Try stacking glass ornaments on a cake dish or in a bowl.  You can adhere them to one another with glue dots (which can be found in the scrapbooking section at any craft store).  Fill in the gaps with beautiful ribbon or fresh greenery and to round out the look, consider stacking glass balls on top of candlestick holders as well.

2.  Stack of Gifts – choose a color theme and stack boxes wrapped in varied patterns of that theme on top of a pedestal or cake plate.  Then top the tower with a bow and wrap a thick piece of matching ribbon around each side.  Secure the ends of the ribbon to the underneath of the cake plate for a crisp, clean look.

3.  Fresh flowers with a twist – To dress up the classic centerpiece of fresh flowers, fill a vase with greens and then remove the heads from roses or whatever flower you choose and hot glue them to the outside of the vase.  You will have a gorgeous centerpiece that will wow guests… of course don’t do this too far in advance!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Weekend Update: Dec. 14-16

Visit Santa in Lewes this weekend…

As we head into the holidays there’s not too much going on this weekend, but you can visit Santa in Lewes this weekend to get yourself in the spirit of the season!  The Santa House is open in front of Citizens Bank (corner of 2nd and Bank Streets) in Lewes from 5pm-7pm Friday and 1pm-4pm Saturday.  Enjoy!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

 

December 12, 2012

“It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.”  Robert Ingersoll  “It seems the more educated a person the less common sense he has.”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 598873-$425,000.  This Georgetown, DE custom home has 4 BR, 3 BA in 2887 sq. ft. on 1.08 acres with granite, hardwoods, fireplace, custom cabinets and conditional use approval for a professional office. Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.

Tips for Refinancing

With mortgage interest rates remaining so low, you may be considering refinancing. But keep in mind that refinancing is not for everyone. To figure out if it is right for you, begin by figuring out how long it will take you to recoup your closing costs if you refinance at a lower rate.

With mortgage interest rates remaining so low, you may be considering refinancing.  But keep in mind that refinancing is not for everyone.  To figure out if it is right for you, begin by figuring out how long it will take you to recoup your closing costs if you refinance at a lower rate.  If you can cut your interest by a significant amount, say a point or maybe even half a point, it might be worth it, but keep in mind that a new mortgage is going to carry thousands of dollars in closing costs, so even if what you’re paying monthly is lower, it will take time to break even.  If you decide to go for it, be sure to shop around just as you would if you were in the market for a new mortgage.  Rates can vary significantly from lender to lender, as do fees and customer service, so do research and find a lender you trust.  Once you find a lender with the rate that you want, be sure to lock it in and hold them accountable to close your deal before the lock expires.  Most locks last for 60 days.  Finally, understand that although many lenders are advertising no or low closing-cost loans, all loans come with a price.  Even if your lender is not charging you when you close the loan, rest assured that you are paying for the fees associated with your loan somehow, whether it is with traditional, up-front costs, rolled into your mortgage balance or in the form of a higher interest rate than you would otherwise receive.  Educate yourself and ask your lender to lay out all the different options for you before accepting any offer.  And if you do decide to refinance, good luck!  Making your way through all the paperwork and documentation that is required can be exhausting, but in the end if you wind up with a significantly lower monthly payment it is worth it!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

December 11, 2012

“Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind.”  Robert Ingersoll  “Anger,  clouds your judgment a little or a lot… none of it for the good.”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 599971-$194,900.  A Plantation East, Lewes, DE, Townhome with 3 BR, 2BA in 1500 sq. ft. with a one car garage, and an enclosed rear wrap around deck is a bank owned property.  The HOA Fee and taxes $3815.00.  Call me to see this property at 302 258-6983.

Budget Friendly Holiday Decorating Ideas

The holidays are just around the corner. If part of your home is bare, consider some of these budget friendly holiday decorating ideas:

The holidays are just around the corner.  If part of your home is bare, consider some of these budget friendly holiday decorating ideas:

  1. Dip pinecones in gold paint (a mixture of water, glue and glitter will make them sparkle) – add gold ribbon and place them wherever you need extra cheer!
  2. Tie your throw pillows with holiday colored ribbon and they’ll look just like Christmas presents!  Add bows, rhinestones and jewels for extra glitz.
  3. Create card swag – drape cards over a long strand of pretty ribbon and tack the ends to your mantle or across a doorway.
  4. Wrap your furniture – cover dining room chairs in holiday fabric and tie them with a bow for a more formal holiday look.
  5. Put cranberries to work – fill vases or bottles with water and float a generous amount of cranberries to add some Christmas red to any room – add some evergreen, holly, or other holiday plant for added decoration.
  6. Homemade luminaries – line a staircase, hallway, or outdoor walkway with homemade luminaries.  Use battery operated candles for a safer approach.
  7. Colored vases – fill clear vases with water and add a few drops of food coloring – make a grouping of several and float candles in the vases for a warm holiday glow.
  8. Jingle bells – tie jingle bells to your door handles for some holiday cheer!  Feel free to spray paint the bells any color you’d like.
  9. Tie it up – if you’re having guests for the holiday season, stack red, white, green or holiday guest towels together and tie with a  coordinating ribbon for a festive look in the guest bath.
  10. Create art – slide holiday wrapping paper into a matted frame for instant holiday art.
  11. Tie a bow – fill gaps in your tree with bows tied from beautiful holiday ribbon.
  12. Think outside the tree – hang ornaments in doorways, windows, entryways, hallways, and any place you could use some extra cheer.  Groups of Christmas tree balls make fantastic decorations for more than just the tree.
  13. Decorate with scent – Simmer any combination of apple slices, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, dried cloves, vanilla or peppermint in a few tablespoons of simmering water on the stove for a lovely holiday smell.
  14. Create your own ice sculpture – fill balloons with colored water, let them freeze and then remove the balloons – the colored ice balls will look like giant Christmas ornaments lining your walk.
  15. Bring the outdoors in – string up natural greens to brighten up any room!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

December 10, 2012

“Effective management always means asking the right question.”  Robert Heller  “Sometimes we just ask too many questions and don’t know which ones are relevant.”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 599854-$199,900.  This ranch home in Oak Crest Farm, Lewes, DE features 3 BR, 2 BA, open concept, front porch and rear deck, 1400 sq. ft. of living space on .25 acre.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.

December 7, 2012

“Good to forgive; best to forget.”  Robert Browning  “Ah, to forget, a noble goal, but hard to do, as this is Pearl Harbor Day, but I guess we have forgiven Japan, now that most of the Veterans are gone!  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 599741-$249,000.  The home in the Meadows of Shawnee in Milton, Delaware has 4 BR, 2.5 BA, in 2300 sq. ft. with a screened-in porch, an office and an irrigation system.

THINKING ABOUT A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS? CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS BREEDER IN SUSSEX COUNTY, DE!!

THINKING ABOUT A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS? CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS BREEDER IN SUSSEX COUNTY, DE!! Holly Black.

I have a great idea for a Christmas gift for all of you animal lovers out there.  HOW ABOUT A NEW PUPPY???  There is a fantastic breeder in Sussex County, DE who has puppies ready to be adopted.  I can personally verify the quality of her puppies, because I got my little Shi-Poo from this breeder almost two years ago.  My dog, Karma, has an amazingly loving disposition!  She is smart, healthy, well behaved, and she loves people and other dogs.  Karma is definitely a perfect addition to our family!!

If you or someone you know is looking for a new puppy, I completely endorse Holly Black, the breeder!!  Check out her website – CLICK HERE!!

Connie Cooper – Cooper Realty Associates 302 841-4185

December 5, 2012

“Democracy passes into Despotism.”  Plato  “I pray that our debt problem does not lead us down Plato’s path.”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s pick of the Day is MLS # 591458-$950,000.  Here is a Fenwick Island ocean front townhome.  The home has 4 BR, 3 BA, plenty of room for guests.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.

December 4, 2012

As builders say, the larder stones do not lie well without the lesser.”  Plato  “We need all members in our society to participate.”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 598589-$137,700.  This Milford, DE home has 4 BR, 2 BA, in 2016 sq. ft. also a sun room, family room, and a full basement with a separate entrance.  Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983

December 3, 2012

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”  Plato  “The rest of us are in the middle, but we probably all talk too much.”  (Fred)

 

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 600146-$249,900.  This ranch home in Laurel, DE very close to Trap Pond State Park has just come on the market and is priced to sell.  The home has 3 BR, 2 BA, in 2100 sq. ft. on a little more than an acre.  The home boasts a large eat-in kitchen, a large sunroom, and an office, a walk up attic for storage, an irrigated yard with great landscaping and an above ground pool.  Call me @ 302 258-6983 to see this gem.

 

November 30, 2012

Today’s food for thought from Andrew Jackson:  “Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error.”  “The latter was always in the minority, but today he appears to be an endangered species.”  (Fred)

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 599582-$119,900.  An end unit Townhome in Burtons Crossing, Millsboro, DE, has 3 BR, 2 BA in 1528 sq. ft. and is move-in ready.  The community has a pool, tennis and a playground.  Call me @ 302 258-6983 to see this home.