3 Things To Check Out Before You Make An Offer

If you’re planning on buying a house anytime soon, be sure to check out more than just the home! Here are three tips to help:

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If you’re planning on buying a house anytime soon, be sure to check out more than just the home!  Here are three tips to help:

1.  Do a drive by.  Drive by the home at several different times of day, and don’t forget to drive by a few times at night too.  Be sure to drive by during the week and on weekends.  Check it out and get a feel for the area at many different times to be sure that it “fits” you.

2.  Check out your neighbors.  Look at the properties of your immediate neighbors, but also of others in the area.  Check out any shops & businesses nearby too.  Pay attention to the details and remember that neighborhood affects property value.

3.  Look at ratings.  Go online to check neighborhood ratings, school ratings, and crime ratings for the neighborhoods you are considering.  Remember, knowledge is power!

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: January 18th-20th

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out these events:

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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out these events:

Friday, January 18th – Classic Casino Night
Join the Dunes Pink Classic for their James Bond Style Classic Casino Night at The Cove at Bayside Resort (31806 Lakeview Drive in Selbyville) from 7pm-11pm.  Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door.  High Roller Table tickets are available in limited quantities for $100 each.  All tickets include heavy appetizers, 1 drink ticket, $100 in casino chips, music, dancing & fun.  High Roller tickets also include an additional 2 drink tickets, designated server and private area with choice of Black Jack or Poker.  For tickets or more information, click this link.

All Weekend – Rehoboth Beach Film Society “What Makes Us Tick” Series
The “What Makes Us Tick” is an annual, three-part film series that includes post-screening discussions led by professional mental health practitioners.  This year’s theme is “Families Taking the Gloves Off:  From Conflict to Understanding.”  And the films were selected to demonstrate families facing multiple challenges, with post-screening discussions including topics such as sibling rivalry, parent-child conflict, bullying, ethical dilemmas, and dealing with issues such as illness and death.  All films will be screened at the Swan Ballroom in the Atlantic Sands Hotel (100 N. Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach) and tickets are $13 per film and $36 for the three-film package.  Screenings are of The Savages on Friday, the 18th at 7pm, In A Better World on Saturday, the 19th at 2pm, and Pieces of April on Sunday, the 20th at 2pm.  For tickets or more information check out this link.

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.

January 16, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Buddha:  “I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.”  (Fred)  “However, what has been done, might be the starting point for what remains to be done.”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 598133-$226,000.  A completely renovated home in Ellendale, DE, with 4 BR, 2 BA on 6.64 acres, the home boasts a Jacuzzi in the Master Bath, a wood burning fireplace, a formal Dining Room with Tray Ceiling and tile inlayed floor, an eat-in kitchen, 2 rear decks, and a bridge over a Koi Pond for a front entrance.  Call me @ 302 258-6983 to see this home.

January 16, 2012

Preparing Yourself To Buy

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If you’re planning to buy a home in 2013, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself.  The first is to find a real estate agent that you trust to represent you fairly and with your best interest in mind.  The other person you need to get in your corner before you start house hunting is a lender.  Your real estate agent should be able to refer several that they like, but you can also check your bank or credit union and ask friends and family members for recommendations.  Your lender will run your finances and set your maximum price for financing.  This will help direct your search to homes that you can afford.  After you have an agent and a lender in place educate yourself by talking to people with experience, reading books and articles, and talking to anybody you can who can help you understand the real estate purchase process.  Meanwhile you can begin your search!

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.

January 15, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Buddha:  “He is able who thinks he is able.”  (Fred)  “I suspect this could be in error for some people.”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 593465-$499,900.  A to be built home in the Peninsula, Long Neck, DE, this large home has 4BR, 3.5 BA on .24 acre.  The community has Golf, Beach and Pier on the Bay, outdoor wave and indoor pool, tennis, trails and much more.  Call me to make this home yours at 302 258-6983.

 

January 15, 2013

Fix Air Leaks For A Warmer Winter

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If your home is losing heat there could be many reasons: poor insulation, drafty windows, improperly sealed doors, and more.  These energy losses can add up to huge energy bills and a cold family!  In the meantime, check these offending areas of your home and fix any leaks for greater efficiency and less expensive heating bills.

The biggest areas of heat loss in your home are in the doors and windows.  Heat should not be escaping from your doors when they are closed.  If you are losing heat from your doors you can easily replace ripped, worn, or otherwise improper seals on your own by purchasing new seals and weather stripping at a home-improvement store.  When it comes to windows, heat can escape through both the glass and the trim.  Double-paned windows are better at keeping heat in than single-paned windows are.  Insulated blinds or curtains can also help slow heat loss.  If you do have single-paned windows consider replacing them with storm windows or thermal windows.

In addition to your windows and doors, if you have a fireplace it can be a huge source of heat loss in your home.  Be sure to keep your damper closed unless a fire is going.  If you leave the damper open when you’re not burning a fire you can increase your heating bill by up to 25%.  If it doesn’t close tight, consider having it repaired.

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.

January 14, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Benjamin Franklin:  “The doors of wisdom are never shut.”  (Fred)  “Wisdom is the sum of your successes and your failures with the correct interpretation.”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 598242-$149,900.  A home in Beaver Dam Heights, Seaford, DE has 3 BR, 1 BA, in 1500 sq. ft. on a .38 acre wooded lot.  An updated rancher with a screened rear porch and taxes are only $684/yr.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.

January 14, 2013

Spotlight On Off Season Specials

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As I was doing some research for my regular “spotlight on” section of the blog I came across this great list from the Rehoboth Foodie, which highlights the off season hours & specials of many local restaurants.  I have reviewed some of these restaurants myself and others you can find reviews of right on the Rehoboth Foodie site.  But now that we are smack in the middle of the “off season” with plenty of off season ahead of us, I thought this might be an opportune time for such a list.  Check it out!

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.

January 11, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Benjamin Franklin:  “Glass, china and reputations are easily cracked, and never well mended.”  (Fred) “Your reputation can service you well, if it is positive”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 597518-$174,900.  A Sea Colony West in Bethany Beach, DE furnished Duplex, which has 2 BR, 2 BA.  The annual cost is $9311.00 for all amenities, pool, tennis, fitness center and only minuets to the Ocean.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.

January 11, 2012

Five Projects To Do This Month

Put these items on your January “to do” list:

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Put these items on your January “to do” list:

1.  Put away the holidays.  It’s no fun packing up the holiday decorations, but it has to be done, so if you haven’t already gotten to it, it’s about time to do it now!

2.  Prepare for snow.  Be sure that you have snow shovels, ice scrapers, and salt ready to go.  Fire up your snow blower, change the oil, make any necessary repairs and make sure it’s gassed up.

3.  Prepare your home for snow.  Check the roof for leaks or weak patches, clear gutters if you need to, and purchase a roof rake if necessary.

4.  Purchase firewood.  If you haven’t already fired up your fireplace, now is the time to purchase properly seasoned wood.  Make sure you store it correctly too!

5.  Stay warm.  Save energy and stay warm by taking a bit of time to seal up any air leaks around your home’s doors and windows.

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

3 Tips for Selling Your Home in 2013

If you are looking to sell your home in 2013, here are three tips to help you, adapted from a list published by Zillow Real Estate Blog:

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If you are looking to sell your home in 2013, here are three tips to help you, adapted from a list published by Zillow Real Estate Blog:

1.  Know what your home is worth.  In the neighborhood, that is.  If you are going to sell you definitely want to know the comps for your home.  Your real estate agent can help you with this.  You can always start going to open houses to see what’s selling in your neighborhood, and utilize online listings to help you learn more.  Just remember that “comps” are comparable sales, not comparable listings.  It doesn’t matter what people are asking for their homes, only what the homes actually sell for.

2.  Get inspected.  Of course, inspection falls to the buyer, but if you want to give yourself a leg up consider paying for an inspection yourself.  If you do you will know what needs to be repaired before you begin negotiating.  If you can plan for repairs in advance you will be able to fix them for less money than they would cost you in buyer credit down the road, or you can price your home with the repairs factored in.  Either way you will save money for the long run.

3.  Stage your home.  By hiring a designer or stager, you will be able to show your home in the best possible light.  Again, even though this is an up-front cost, it will save you money in the long run!

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

Weekend Update: January 11th-13th

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If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend… keep looking!  For the first time in almost a year all of my sources for great, local events have empty calendars simultaneously.  Can you believe it?  I guess everyone is taking a bit of a post-holiday break!  I’ve been spotlighting great, local restaurants for almost a year now, so search the blog for food and restaurants and try some place new, or check out this post which highlights all the great things to do at Cape Henlopen State Park in the winter.  Check it out this weekend!

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

January 9, 2012

Today’s food for thought is from Abraham Lincoln:  “I walk slowly, but I never walk backwards.”  (Fred) “Be methodical but always move forward”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 583470-$835,000.  Here is an Ocean Block center unit 3 story townhome in Dewey Beach, DE.  The home has 4 BR, 2.5 BA, a rooftop deck (Ocean and Bay Views) central AC, skylights, and a fireplace.  Call me to see this great beach townhome @ 302 258-6983.

Just started my term as President of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce, also met my new mentee yesterday.January 9, 2013

The Effects of the Fiscal Cliff Bill on Real Estate Taxes

Thanks to the law passed earlier this year by Congress to avoid falling off the “fiscal cliff,” there are many advantages when it comes to real estate tax breaks.

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Thanks to the law passed earlier this year by Congress to avoid falling off the “fiscal cliff,” there are many advantages when it comes to real estate tax breaks.  First of all, thanks to this bill, the mortgage interest deduction remains the same for now.  In addition, taxpayers with an AGI (adjusted gross income) of less than $100,000 per year can itemize and deduct all of their PMI, or mortgage insurance, payments.  This deduction was last offered in 2011, but the bill put it back in play for all of 2012 and through the end of 2013.  Next, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act was extended through the end of 2013, meaning that home owners who face a short sale or who receive forgiveness on their mortgage principal may exclude up to two million dollars of debt forgiveness from their taxable income.  This is good news for those who are under water in their mortgages because it makes the options of short sales and loan modifications more attractive than foreclosure or bankruptcy.  Finally, this bill brings back the $500 credit for making various energy-saving improvements to a principal residence through the end of 2013.

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

 

January 8, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Abraham Lincoln:  “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”  (Fred)  “Good advice”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 587110-$199,900.  Here is a large well maintained Split-Level in Devonshire Woods, Seaford, DE, which has 3 BR, 2.5 BA on .35 acre.  The landscaping is well done and the home has a new roof.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.January 8, 2013

Consider the Costs of Remodeling

If you are thinking of building a new home or remodeling an existing home, there’s a good chance that you haven’t thought through all of the fees involved in the project.

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If you are thinking of building a new home or remodeling an existing home, there’s a good chance that you haven’t thought through all of the fees involved in the project.  Construction costs, whether for new construction or remodeling include any on-site work such as tree removal, landscaping, site clearing, septic systems, drainage systems, utility hookups, fencing, etc.  construction costs such as demolition, framing, roofing, wiring, drywall, installation, heating/cooling, plumbing, electricity, painting, flooring, etc. and also includes some less often thought of costs such as a/v system installation, home automation, security systems, swimming pools, etc.  But in addition to these costs, there are also non-construction based fees such as design fees (architect, landscape architect, interior designer, etc.), engineering fees (structural engineer, HVAC, land survey, etc.) relocation costs (do you have to rent a home temporarily or rent a storage unit?), and the various fees associated with real estate such as legal fees, accounting fees, and financing fees.  Of course if you are going to build or remodel, don’t forget to factor in the post-construction costs that are often forgotten about until time and budget are all but gone!  This would include things like furniture, wall treatments, and window treatments.

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

January 7, 2013

Today’s Food for thought is from Aaron Burr:  “The rule of my life is to make business a pleasure, and pleasure my business.”  (Fred) “I believe that pleasure can have many faces and I agree to make your business a pleasure however there are other pleasures that I prefer to keep separate from business.”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 593207-$379,000.  This custom log home in Cripple Creek, Milton, De has 4 BR, 2.5 BA, 2 fireplaces in 3200 sq. ft. on 1.08 acre.  The home has beamed ceilings, open floor plan, walk-out basement, and an attached 2 car garage.  Call me @ 302 258-6983 to see this home.January 7, 2013

Spotlight on Cactus Café in Selbyville

Cactus Café has been in business in Selbyville for over 20 years and serves amazing Tex-Mex cuisine plus steaks and seafood and kickin’ margaritas.

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Cactus Café has two locations in Selbyville.  The original Cactus Café (37 Dupont Blvd) and Luna’s Cactus Café (36666 Blue Water Run).  Cactus Café has been in business in Selbyville for over 20 years and serves amazing Tex-Mex cuisine plus steaks and seafood and kickin’ margaritas.  With fresh, quality food, excellent service, a welcoming and cozy atmosphere, and reasonable prices, Cactus Café has the best Tex-Mex food around!

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.

January 4, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Aaron Burr:  “Never do today what you can do tomorrow.  Something may occur to make you regret your premature action.”  (Fred)  “I find inaction causes more regrets than taking the bull by the horns.”

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 597963-$475,000.  This Millsboro, DE home boasts 5 BR, 3.5 BA in 4056 sq. ft. on 4 acres.  There is also a 4 garage door out building and the home has geothermal HVAC.  The home needs some work.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.January 4, 2013

5 More Housing Trends to Watch

Yesterday, I posted three housing trends for 2013, and to follow up I have five more to keep your eye on:

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Yesterday, I posted three housing trends for 2013, and to follow up I have five more to keep your eye on:

1.  Rise in First-Time Home Buyers.  The pocket of first-time home buyers that helps to drive the market has been steadily increasing over the past twelve months, and looks like it will continue to do so in 2013.

2.  Rising Mortgage Rates.  Mortgage rates have been historically low throughout 2012, but that dream world can’t last forever, so watch for interest rates to climb back up to average 4% or more in 2013.

3.  Easier Credit Standards.  Currently, only the best FICO scores qualify borrowers for a mortgage, but that should start changing in 2013 as lenders have to compete to provide loans to qualified buyers.

4.  Rising Construction Costs.  New home construction prices will be on the rise in 2013, as contractors can be expected to increase their prices to cover costs.

5.  Sales Will Rise.  Home sales were up in 2012 for the first time in awhile, and should continue to do so in 2013.  Some reports estimate that home sales will grow as much as 10% in the coming year.

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.